It led upwards to the roof and downwards to a
deep vault which was arched and groined. Its heavy, rough columns
supported the tower above, and divided the vaults beneath. These
vaults had formerly served as magazines for provisions and stores
for the use of the occupants of the Chateau upon occasions when they
had to retire for safety from a sudden irruption of Iroquois.
La Corriveau, after a short rest, got up with a quick, impatient
movement. She went over to an arched doorway upon which her eyes
had been fixed for several minutes. "The way is down there," she
muttered; "now for a light!"
She found the entrance to the stair open; she passed in, closing the
door behind her so that the glimmer might not be seen by any chance
stroller, and struck a light. The reputation which the tower had of
being haunted made the servants very shy of entering it, even in the
day-time; and the man was considered bold indeed who came near it
after dark.
With her candle in her hand, La Corriveau descended slowly into the
gloomy vault. It was a large cavern of stone, a very habitation of
darkness, which seemed to swallow up the feeble light she carried.
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