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"Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion, all

the interim is Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream."

Lucy endured many hours the anguish of such a dream; and Agnes,

even Agnes, the author of the plot, was thoughtful and silent.

But, in the moment of action, new and various emotions pass

swiftly through the mind: at one instant, that which had appeared

difficult becomes perfectly easy; at another, obstacles present

themselves which were never before thought of, the imagination is

filled with alarm, the limbs refuse their office, and the heart

fails at the promise it had given with such security. At the

gentle knock of Renzo, Lucy was seized with such terror, that, at

the moment, she resolved to suffer any thing, to endure a

separation from him for ever, rather than execute her resolution;

but when, with an assured and encouraging air, he said, "All is

ready; let us begone," she had neither heart nor time to suggest

difficulties. Agnes and Renzo placed her between them, and the

adventurous company set forward.