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diff --git a/2950-h/2950-h.htm b/2950-h/2950-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..aa827ea --- /dev/null +++ b/2950-h/2950-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12409 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Midnight Queen, by May Agnes Fleming + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Midnight Queen, by May Agnes Fleming + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Midnight Queen + +Author: May Agnes Fleming + +Release Date: December 25, 2008 [EBook #2950] +Last Updated: March 15, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Project Gutenberg Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By May Agnes Fleming + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN </a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE + SORCERESS. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> THE + DEAD BRIDE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> THE + COURT PAGE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> THE + STRANGER. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> THE + DWARF AND THE RUIN. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> LA + MASQUE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> THE + EARL'S BARGE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> THE + MIDNIGHT QUEEN. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> LEOLINE. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> THE PAGE, + THE FIRES, AND THE FALL. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. + </a> THE EXECUTION. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER XII. </a> DOOM. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> + CHAPTER XIII. </a> ESCAPED. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> + CHAPTER, XIV. </a> IN THE DUNGEON. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> LEOLINE'S VISITORS. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> THE + THIRD VISION. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> THE + HIDDEN FACE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> THE + INTERVIEW. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> HUBERT'S + WHISPER. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> AT + THE PLAGUE-PIT. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER, XXI. </a> WHAT + WAS BEHIND THE MASK. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. + </a> DAY-DAWN. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER + XXIII. </a> FINIS. <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN, + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE SORCERESS. + </h2> + <p> + The plague raged in the city of London. The destroying angel had gone + forth, and kindled with its fiery breath the awful pestilence, until all + London became one mighty lazar-house. Thousands were swept away daily; + grass grew in the streets, and the living were scarce able to bury the + dead. Business of all kinds was at an end, except that of the + coffin-makers and drivers of the pest-cart. Whole streets were shut up, + and almost every other house in the city bore the fatal red cross, and the + ominous inscription, “Lord have mercy on us”. Few people, save the + watchmen, armed with halberts, keeping guard over the stricken houses, + appeared in the streets; and those who ventured there, shrank from each + other, and passed rapidly on with averted faces. Many even fell dead on + the sidewalk, and lay with their ghastly, discolored faces, upturned to + the mocking sunlight, until the dead-cart came rattling along, and the + drivers hoisted the body with their pitchforks on the top of their + dreadful load. Few other vehicles besides those same dead-carts appeared + in the city now; and they plied their trade busily, day and night; and the + cry of the drivers echoed dismally through the deserted streets: “Bring + out your dead! bring out your dead!” All who could do so had long ago fled + from the devoted city; and London lay under the burning heat of the June + sunshine, stricken for its sins by the hand of God. The pest-houses were + full, so were the plague-pits, where the dead were hurled in cartfuls; and + no one knew who rose up in health in the morning but that they might be + lying stark and dead in a few hours. The very churches were forsaken; + their pastors fled or lying in the plague-pits; and it was even resolved + to convert the great cathedral of St. Paul into a vast plague-hospital. + Cries and lamentations echoed from one end of the city to the other, and + Death and Charles reigned over London together. + </p> + <p> + Yet in the midst of all this, many scenes of wild orgies and debauchery + still went on within its gates—as, in our own day, when the cholera + ravaged Paris, the inhabitants of that facetious city made it a carnival, + so now, in London, they were many who, feeling they had but a few days to + live at the most, resolved to defy death, and indulge in the revelry while + they yet existed. “Eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow you die!” was + their motto; and if in the midst of the frantic dance or debauched revel + one of them dropped dead, the others only shrieked with laughter, hurled + the livid body out to the street, and the demoniac mirth grew twice as + fast and furious as before. Robbers and cut-purses paraded the streets at + noonday, entered boldly closed and deserted houses, and bore off with + impunity, whatever they pleased. Highwaymen infested Hounslow Heath, and + all the roads leading from the city, levying a toll on all who passed, and + plundering fearlessly the flying citizens. In fact, far-famed London town, + in the year of grace 1665, would have given one a good idea of Pandemonium + broke loose. + </p> + <p> + It was drawing to the close of an almost tropical June day, that the crowd + who had thronged the precincts of St. Paul's since early morning, began to + disperse. The sun, that had throbbed the livelong day like a great heart + of fire in a sea of brass, was sinking from sight in clouds of crimson, + purple and gold, yet Paul's Walk was crowded. There were court-gallants in + ruffles and plumes; ballad-singers chanting the not over-delicate ditties + of the Earl of Rochester; usurers exchanging gold for bonds worth three + times what they gave for them; quack-doctors reading in dolorous tones the + bills of mortality of the preceding day, and selling plague-waters and + anti-pestilential abominations, whose merit they loudly extolled; ladies + too, richly dressed, and many of them masked; and booksellers who always + made St. Paul's a favorite haunt, and even to this day patronize its + precincts, and flourish in the regions of Paternoster Row and Ave Maria + Lane; court pages in rich liveries, pert and flippant; serving-men out of + place, and pickpockets with a keen eye to business; all clashed and + jostled together, raising a din to which the Plain of Shinar, with its + confusion of tongues and Babylonish workmen, were as nothing. + </p> + <p> + Moving serenely through this discordant sea of his fellow-creatures came a + young man booted and spurred, whose rich doublet of cherry colored velvet, + edged and spangled with gold, and jaunty hat set slightly on one side of + his head, with its long black plume and diamond clasp, proclaimed him to + be somebody. A profusion of snowy shirt-frill rushed impetuously out of + his doublet; a black-velvet cloak, lined with amber-satin, fell + picturesquely from his shoulders; a sword with a jeweled hilt clanked on + the pavement as he walked. One hand was covered with a gauntlet of + canary-colored kid, perfumed to a degree that would shame any belle of + to-day, the other, which rested lightly on his sword-hilt, flashed with a + splendid opal, splendidly set. He was a handsome fellow too, with fair + waving hair (for he had the good taste to discard the ugly wigs then in + vogue), dark, bright, handsome eyes, a thick blonde moustache, a tall and + remarkably graceful figure, and an expression of countenance wherein easy + good-nature and fiery impetuosity had a hard struggle for mastery. That he + was a courtier of rank, was apparent from his rich attire and rather + aristocratic bearing and a crowd of hangers-on followed him as he went, + loudly demanding spur-money. A group of timbril-girls, singing shrilly the + songs of the day, called boldly to him as he passed; and one of them, more + free and easy than the rest, danced up to him striking her timbrel, and + shouting rather than singing the chorus of the then popular ditty, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “What care I for pest or plague? + We can die but once, God wot, + Kiss me darling—stay with me: + Love me—love me, leave me not!” + </pre> + <p> + The darling in question turned his bright blue eyes on that dashing + street-singer with a cool glance of recognition. + </p> + <p> + “Very sorry, Nell,” he said, in a nonchalant tone, “but I'm afraid I must. + How long have you been here, may I ask?” + </p> + <p> + “A full hour by St. Paul's; and where has Sir Norman Kingsley been, may I + ask? I thought you were dead of the plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly. Have you seen—ah! there he is. The very man I want.” + </p> + <p> + With which Sir Norman Kingsley dropped a gold piece into the girl's + extended palm, and pushed on through the crowd up Paul's Walk. A tall, + dark figure was leaning moodily with folded arms, looking fixedly at the + ground, and taking no notice of the busy scene around him until Sir Norman + laid his ungloved and jeweled hand lightly on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Ormiston. I had an idea I would find you here, and—but + what's the matter with you, man? Have you got the plague? or has your + mysterious inamorata jilted you? or what other annoyance has happened to + make you look as woebegone as old King Lear, sent adrift by his tender + daughters to take care of himself?” + </p> + <p> + The individual addressed lifted his head, disclosing a dark and rather + handsome face, settled now into a look of gloomy discontent. He slightly + raised his hat as he saw who his questioner was. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it's you, Sir Norman! I had given up all notion of your coming, and + was about to quit this confounded babel—this tumultuous den of + thieves. What has detained you?” + </p> + <p> + “I was on duty at Whitehall. Are we not in time to keep our appointment?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, certainly! La Masque is at home to visitors at all hours, day and + night. I believe in my soul she doesn't know what sleep means.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are still as much in love with her as ever, I dare swear! I have + no doubt, now, it was of her you were thinking when I came up. Nothing + else could ever have made you look so dismally woebegone as you did, when + Providence sent me to your relief.” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking of her,” said the young man moodily, and with a darkening + brow. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman favored him with a half-amused, half-contemptuous stare for a + moment; then stopped at a huckster's stall to purchase some cigarettes; + lit one, and after smoking for a few minutes, pleasantly remarked, as if + the fact had just struck him: + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston, you're a fool!” + </p> + <p> + “I know it!” said Ormiston, sententiously. + </p> + <p> + “The idea,” said Sir Norman, knocking the ashes daintily off the end of + his cigar with the tip of his little finger—“the idea of falling in + love with a woman whose face you have never seen! I can understand a man a + going to any absurd extreme when he falls in love in proper Christian + fashion, with a proper Christian face; but to go stark, staring mad, as + you have done, my dear fellow, about a black loo mask, why—I + consider that a little too much of a good thing! Come, let us go.” + </p> + <p> + Nodding easily to his numerous acquaintances as he went, Sir Norman + Kingsley sauntered leisurely down Paul's Walk, and out through the great + door of the cathedral, followed by his melancholy friend. Pausing for a + moment to gaze at the gorgeous sunset with a look of languid admiration, + Sir Norman passed his arm through that of his friend, and they walked on + at rather a rapid pace, in the direction of old London Bridge. There were + few people abroad, except the watchmen walking slowly up and down before + the plague-stricken houses; but in every street they passed through they + noticed huge piles of wood and coal heaped down the centre. Smoking + zealously they had walked on for a season in silence, when Ormiston ceased + puffing for a moment, to inquire: + </p> + <p> + “What are all these for? This is a strange time, I should imagine, for + bonfires.” + </p> + <p> + “They're not bonfires,” said Sir Norman; “at least they are not intended + for that; and if your head was not fuller of that masked Witch of Endor + than common sense (for I believe she is nothing better than a witch), you + could not have helped knowing. The Lord Mayor of London has been inspired + suddenly, with a notion, that if several thousand fires are kindled at + once in the streets, it will purify the air, and check the pestilence; so + when St. Paul's tolls the hour of midnight, all these piles are to be + fired. It will be a glorious illumination, no doubt; but as to its + stopping the progress of the plague, I am afraid that it is altogether too + good to be true.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should you doubt it? The plague cannot last forever.” + </p> + <p> + “No. But Lilly, the astrologer, who predicted its coming, also foretold + that it would last for many months yet; and since one prophecy has come + true, I see no reason why the other should not.” + </p> + <p> + “Except the simple one that there would be nobody left alive to take it. + All London will be lying in the plague-pits by that time.” + </p> + <p> + “A pleasant prospect; but a true one, I have no doubt. And, as I have no + ambition to be hurled headlong into one of those horrible holes, I shall + leave town altogether in a few days. And, Ormiston, I would strongly + recommend you to follow my example.” + </p> + <p> + “Not I!” said Ormiston, in a tone of gloomy resolution. “While La Masque + stays, so will I.” + </p> + <p> + “And perhaps die of the plague in a week.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it! I don't fear the plague half as much as I do the thought of + losing her!” + </p> + <p> + Again Sir Norman stared. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see! It's a hopeless case! Faith, I begin to feel curious to see + this enchantress, who has managed so effectually to turn your brain. When + did you see her last?” + </p> + <p> + “Yesterday,” said Ormiston, with a deep sigh. “And if she were made of + granite, she could not be harder to me than she is!” + </p> + <p> + “So she doesn't care about you, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Not she! She has a little Blenheim lapdog, that she loves a thousand + times more than she ever will me!” + </p> + <p> + “Then what an idiot you are, to keep haunting her like her shadow! Why + don't you be a man, and tear out from your heart such a goddess?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! that's easily said; but if you were in my place, you'd act exactly as + I do.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe it. It's not in me to go mad about anything with a masked + face and a marble heart. If I loved any woman—which, thank Fortune! + at this present time I do not—and she had the bad taste not to + return it, I should take my hat, make her a bow, and go directly and love + somebody else made of flesh and blood, instead of cast iron! You know the + old song, Ormiston: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'If she be not fair for me + What care I how fair she be!'” + </pre> + <p> + “Kingsley, you know nothing about it!” said Ormiston, impatiently. “So + stop talking nonsense. If you are cold-blooded, I am not; and—I love + her!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman slightly shrugged his shoulders, and flung his smoked-out weed + into a heap of fire-wood. + </p> + <p> + “Are we near her house?” he asked. “Yonder is the bridge.” + </p> + <p> + “And yonder is the house,” replied Ormiston, pointing to a large ancient + building—ancient even for those times—with three stories, each + projecting over the other. “See! while the houses on either side are + marked as pest-stricken, hers alone bears no cross. So it is: those who + cling to life are stricken with death: and those who, like me, are + desperate, even death shuns.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear Ormiston, you surely are not so far gone as that? Upon my + honor, I had no idea you were in such a bad way.” + </p> + <p> + “I am nothing but a miserable wretch! and I wish to Heaven I was in yonder + dead-cart, with the rest of them—and she, too, if she never intends + to love me!” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston spoke with such fierce earnestness, that there was no doubting + his sincerity; and Sir Norman became profoundly shocked—so much so, + that he did not speak again until they were almost at the door. Then he + opened his lips to ask, in a subdued tone: + </p> + <p> + “She has predicted the future for you—what did she foretell?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing good; no fear of there being anything in store for such an + unlucky dog as I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did she learn this wonderful black art of hers?” + </p> + <p> + “In the East, I believe. She has been there and all over the world; and + now visits England for the first time.” + </p> + <p> + “She has chosen a sprightly season for her visit. Is she not afraid of the + plague, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “No; she fears nothing,” said Ormiston, as he knocked loudly at the door. + “I begin to believe she is made of adamant instead of what other women are + made of.” + </p> + <p> + “Which is a rib, I believe,” observed Sir Norman, thoughtfully. “And that + accounts, I dare say, for their being of such a crooked and cantankerous + nature. They're a wonderful race women are; and for what Inscrutable + reason it has pleased Providence to create them—” + </p> + <p> + The opening of the door brought to a sudden end this little touch of + moralizing, and a wrinkled old porter thrust out a very withered and + unlovely face. + </p> + <p> + “La Masque at home?” inquired Ormiston, stepping in, without ceremony. + </p> + <p> + The old man nodded, and pointed up stairs; and with a “This way, + Kingsley,” Ormiston sprang lightly up, three at a time, followed in the + same style by Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “You seem pretty well acquainted with the latitude and longitude of this + place,” observed that young gentleman, as they passed into a room at the + head of the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to be; I've been here often enough,” said Ormiston. “This is the + common waiting-room for all who wish to consult La Masque. That old bag of + bones who let us in has gone to announce us.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman took a seat, and glanced curiously round the room. It was a + common-place apartment enough, with a floor of polished black oak, + slippery as ice, and shining like glass; a few old Flemish paintings on + the walls; a large, round table in the centre of the floor, on which lay a + pair of the old musical instruments called “virginals.” Two large, + curtainless windows, with minute diamond-shaped panes, set in leaden + casements, admitted the golden and crimson light. + </p> + <p> + “For the reception-room of a sorceress,” remarked Sir Norman, with an air + of disappointed criticism, “there is nothing very wonderful about all + this. How is it she spaes fortunes any way? As Lilly does by maps and + charts; or as these old Eastern mufti do it by magic mirrors and all each + fooleries?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither,” said Ormiston, “her style in more like that of the Indian + almechs, who show you your destiny in a well. She has a sort of magic lake + in her room, and—but you will see it all for yourself presently.” + </p> + <p> + “I have always heard,” said Sir Norman, in the same meditative way, “that + truth lies at the bottom of a well, and I am glad some one has turned up + at last who is able to fish it out. Ah! Here comes our ancient Mercury to + show us to the presence of your goddess.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and the “old bag of bones,” as Ormiston irreverently + styled his lady-love's ancient domestic, made a sign for them to follow + him. Leading the way down along a corridor, he flung open a pair of + shining folding-doors at the end, and ushered them at once into the + majestic presence of the sorceress and her magic room. Both gentlemen + doffed their plumed hats. Ormiston stepped forward at once; but Sir Norman + discreetly paused in the doorway to contemplate the scene of action. As he + slowly did so, a look of deep displeasure settled on his features, on + finding it not half so awful as he had supposed. + </p> + <p> + In some ways it was very like the room they had left, being low, large, + and square, and having floors, walls and ceiling paneled with glossy black + oak. But it had no windows—a large bronze lamp, suspended from the + centre of the ceiling, shed a flickering, ghostly light. There were no + paintings—some grim carvings of skulls, skeletons, and serpents, + pleasantly wreathed the room—neither were there seats nor tables—nothing + but a huge ebony caldron at the upper end of the apartment, over which a + grinning skeleton on wires, with a scythe in one hand of bone, and an + hour-glass in the other, kept watch and ward. Opposite this + cheerful-looking guardian, was a tall figure in black, standing an + motionless as if it, too, was carved in ebony. It was a female figure, + very tall and slight, but as beautifully symmetrical as a Venus Celestis. + Her dress was of black velvet, that swept the polished floor, spangled all + over with stars of gold and rich rubies. A profusion of shining black hair + fell in waves and curls almost to her feet; but her face, from forehead to + chin, was completely hidden by a black velvet mask. In one hand, + exquisitely small and white, she held a gold casket, blazing (like her + dress) with rubies, and with the other she toyed with a tame viper, that + had twined itself round her wrist. This was doubtless La Masque, and + becoming conscious of that fact Sir Norman made her a low and courtly bow. + She returned it by a slight bend of the head, and turning toward his + companion, spoke: + </p> + <p> + “You here, again, Mr. Ormiston! To what am I indebted for the honor of two + visits in two days?” + </p> + <p> + Her voice, Sir Norman thought, was the sweetest he had ever heard, musical + as a chime of silver bells, soft as the tones of an aeolian harp through + which the west wind plays. + </p> + <p> + “Madam, I am aware my visits are undesired,” said Ormiston, with a + flushing cheek and, slightly tremulous voice; “but I have merely come with + my friend, Sir Norman Kingsley, who wishes to know what the future has in + store for him.” + </p> + <p> + Thus invoked, Sir Norman Kingsley stepped forward with another low bow to + the masked lady. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madam, I have long heard that those fair fingers can withdraw the + curtain of the future, and I have come to see what Dame Destiny is going + to do for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley is welcome,” said the sweet voice, “and shall see + what he desires. There is but one condition, that he will keep perfectly + silent; for if he speaks, the scene he beholds will vanish. Come forward!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman compressed his lips as closely as if they were forever + hermetically sealed, and came forward accordingly. Leaning over the edge + of the ebony caldron, he found that it contained nothing more dreadful + than water, for he labored under a vague and unpleasant idea that, like + the witches' caldron in Macbeth, it might be filled with serpents' blood + and childrens' brains. La Masque opened her golden casket, and took from + it a portion of red powder, with which it was filled. Casting it into the + caldron, she murmured an invocation in Sanscrit, or Coptic, or some other + unknown tongue, and slowly there arose a dense cloud of dark-red smoke, + that nearly filled the room. Had Sir Norman ever read the story of + Aladdin, he would probably have thought of it then; but the young courtier + did not greatly affect literature of any kind, and thought of nothing now + but of seeing something when the smoke cleared away. It was rather long in + doing so, and when it did, he saw nothing at first but his own handsome, + half-serious, half-incredulous face; but gradually a picture, distinct and + clear, formed itself at the bottom, and Sir Norman gazed with bewildered + eyes. He saw a large room filled with a sparkling crowd, many of them + ladies, splendidly arrayed and flashing in jewels, and foremost among them + stood one whose beauty surpassed anything he had ever before dreamed of. + She wore the robes of a queen, purple and ermine—diamonds blazed on + the beautiful neck, arms, and fingers, and a tiara of the same brilliants + crowned her regal head. In one hand she held a sceptre; what seemed to be + a throne was behind her, but something that surprised Sir Norton most of + all was, to find himself standing beside her, the cynosure of all eyes. + While he yet gazed in mingled astonishment and incredulity, the scene + faded away, and another took its place. This time a dungeon-cell, damp and + dismal; walls, and floor, and ceiling covered with green and hideous + slime. A small lamp stood on the floor, and by its sickly, watery gleam, + he saw himself again standing, pale and dejected, near the wall. But he + was not alone; the same glittering vision in purple and diamonds stood + before him, and suddenly he drew his sword and plunged it up to the hilt + in her heart! The beautiful vision fell like a stone at his feet, and the + sword was drawn out reeking with her life-blood. This was a little too + much for the real Sir Norman, and with an expression of indignant + consternation, he sprang upright. Instantly it all faded away and the + reflection of his own excited face looked up at him from the caldron. + </p> + <p> + “I told you not to speak,” said La Masque, quietly, “but you must look on + still another scene.” + </p> + <p> + Again she threw a portion of the contents of the casket into the caldron, + and “spake aloud the words of power.” Another cloud of smoke arose and + filled the room, and when it cleared away, Sir Norman beheld a third and + less startling sight. The scene and place he could not discover, but it + seemed to him like night and a storm. Two men were lying on the ground, + and bound fast together, it appeared to him. As he looked, it faded away, + and once more his own face seemed to mock him in the clear water. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know those two last figures!” asked the lady. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said Sir Norman, promptly; “it was Ormiston and myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Right! and one of them was dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Dead!” exclaimed Sir Norman, with a perceptible start. “Which one, + madam?” + </p> + <p> + “If you cannot tell that, neither can I. If there is anything further you + wish to see, I am quite willing to show it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm obliged to you,” said Sir Norman, stepping back; “but no more at + present, thank you. Do you mean to say, madam, that I'm some day to murder + a lady, especially one so beautiful as she I just now saw?” + </p> + <p> + “I have said nothing—all you've seen will come to pass, and whether + your destiny be for good or evil, I have nothing to do with it, except,” + said the sweet voice, earnestly, “that if La Masque could strew Sir Norman + Kingsley's pathway with roses, she would most assuredly do so.” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, you are too kind,” said that young gentleman, laying his hand on + his heart, while Ormiston scowled darkly—“more especially as I've + the misfortune to be a perfect stranger to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, Sir Norman. I have known you this many a day; and before long we + shall be better acquainted. Permit me to wish you good evening!” + </p> + <p> + At this gentle hint, both gentlemen bowed themselves out, and soon found + themselves in the street, with very different expressions of countenance. + Sir Norman looking considerably pleased and decidedly puzzled, and Mr. + Ormiston looking savagely and uncompromisingly jealous. The animated + skeleton who had admitted them closed the door after them; and the two + friends stood in the twilight on London Bridge. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE DEAD BRIDE + </h2> + <p> + “Well,” said Ormiston, drawing a long bath, “what do you think of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Think? Don't ask me yet.” said Sir Norman, looking rather bewildered. + “I'm in such a state of mystification that I don't rightly know whether + I'm standing on my head or feet. For one thing, I have come to the + conclusion that your masked ladylove must be enchantingly beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + “Have I not told you that a thousand times, O thou of little faith? But + why have you come to such a conclusion?” + </p> + <p> + “Because no woman with such a figure, such a voice and such hands could be + otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew you would own it some day. Do you wonder now that I love her?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! as to loving her,” said Sir Norman, coolly, “that's quite another + thing. I could no more love her or her hands, voice, and shape, than I + could a figure in wood or wax; but I admire her vastly, and think her + extremely clever. I will never forget that face in the caldron. It was the + most exquisitely beautiful I ever saw.” + </p> + <p> + “In love with the shadow of a face! Why, you are a thousandfold more + absurd than I.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Sir Norman, thoughtfully, “I don't know as I'm in love with it; + but if ever I see a living face like it, I certainly shall be. How did La + Masque do it, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “You had better ask her,” said Ormiston, bitterly. “She seems to have + taken an unusual interest in you at first sight. She would strew your path + with roses, forsooth! Nothing earthly, I believe, would make her say + anything half so tender to me.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman laughed, and stroked his moustache complacently. + </p> + <p> + “All a matter of taste, my dear fellow: and these women are noted for + their perfection in that line. I begin to admire La Masque more and more, + and I think you had better give up the chase, and let me take your place. + I don't believe you have the ghost of a chance, Ormiston.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe it myself,” said Ormiston, with a desperate face “but + until the plague carries me off I cannot give her up; and the sooner that + happens, the better. Ha! what is this?” + </p> + <p> + It was a piercing shriek—no unusual sound; and as he spoke, the door + of an adjoining house was flung open, a woman rushed wildly out, fled down + an adjoining street, and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman and his companion looked at each other, and then at the house. + </p> + <p> + “What's all this about?” demanded Ormiston. + </p> + <p> + “That's a question I can't take it upon myself to answer,” said Sir + Norman; “and the only way to solve the mystery, is to go in and see.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be the plague,” said Ormiston, hesitating. “Yet the house is not + marked. There is a watchman. I will ask him.” + </p> + <p> + The man with the halberd in his hand was walking up and down before an + adjoining house, bearing the ominous red cross and piteous inscription: + “Lord have mercy on us!” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, sir,” was his answer to Ormiston. “If any one there has the + plague, they must have taken it lately; for I heard this morning there was + to be a wedding there to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard of any one screaming in that fashion about a wedding,” said + Ormiston, doubtfully. “Do you know who lives there?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. I only came here, myself, yesterday, but two or three times + to-day I have seen a very beautiful young lady looking out of the window.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston thanked the man, and went back to report to his friend. + </p> + <p> + “A beautiful young lady!” said Sir Norman, with energy. “Then I mean to go + directly up and see about it, and you can follow or not, just as you + please.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, Sir Norman entered the open doorway, and found himself in a + long hall, flanked by a couple of doors on each side. These he opened in + rapid succession, finding nothing but silence and solitude; and Ormiston—who, + upon reflection, chose to follow—ran up a wide and sweeping + staircase at the end of the hall. Sir Norman followed him, and they came + to a hall similar to the one below. A door to the right lay open; and both + entered without ceremony, and looked around. + </p> + <p> + The room was spacious, and richly furnished. Just enough light stole + through the oriel window at the further end, draped with crimson satin + embroidered with gold, to show it. The floor was of veined wood of many + colors, arranged in fanciful mosaics, and strewn with Turkish rugs and + Persian mats of gorgeous colors. The walls were carved, the ceiling + corniced, and all fretted with gold network and gilded mouldings. On a + couch covered with crimson satin, like the window drapery, lay a cithren + and some loose sheets of music. Near it was a small marble table, covered + with books and drawings, with a decanter of wine and an exquisite little + goblet of Bohemian glass. The marble mantel was strewn with ornaments of + porcelain and alabaster, and a beautifully-carved vase of Parian marble + stood in the centre, filled with brilliant flowers. A great mirror + reflected back the room, and beneath it stood a toilet-table, strewn with + jewels, laces, perfume-bottles, and an array of costly little feminine + trifles such as ladies were as fond of two centuries ago as they are + to-day. Evidently it was a lady's chamber; for in a recess near the window + stood a great quaint carved bedstead, with curtains and snowy lace, looped + back with golden arrows and scarlet ribbons. Some one lay on it, too—at + least, Ormiston thought so; and he went cautiously forward, drew the + curtain, and looked down. + </p> + <p> + “Great Heaven! what a beautiful face!” was his cry, as he bent still + further down. + </p> + <p> + “What the plague is the matter?” asked Sir Norman, coming forward. + </p> + <p> + “You have said it,” said Ormiston, recoiling. “The plague is the matter. + There lies one dead of it!” + </p> + <p> + Curiosity proving stronger than fear, Sir Norman stepped forward to look + at the corpse. It was a young girl with a face as lovely as a poet's + vision. That face was like snow, now; and, in its calm, cold majesty, + looked as exquisitely perfect as some ancient Grecian statue. The low, + pearly brow, the sweet, beautiful lips, the delicate oval outline of + countenance, were perfect. The eyes were closed, and the long dark lashes + rested on the ivory cheeks. A profusion of shining dark hair fell in + elaborate curls over her neck and shoulders. Her dress was that of a + bride; a robe of white satin brocaded with silver, fairly dazzling in its + shining radiance, and as brief in the article of sleeves and neck as that + of any modern belle. A circlet of pearls were clasped round her snow-white + throat, and bracelets of the same jewels encircled the snowy taper arms. + On her head she wore a bridal wreath and veil—the former of jewels, + the latter falling round her like a cloud of mist. Everything was perfect, + from the wreath and veil to the tiny sandaled feet and lying there in her + mute repose she looked more like some exquisite piece of sculpture than + anything that had ever lived and moved in this groveling world of ours. + But from one shoulder the dress had been pulled down, and there lay a + great livid purple plague-spot! + </p> + <p> + “Come away!” said Ormiston, catching his companion by the arm. “It is + death to remain here!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman had been standing like one in a trance, from which this address + roused him, and he grasped Ormiston's shoulder almost frantically. + </p> + <p> + “Look there, Ormiston! There lies the very face that sorceress showed me, + fifteen minutes ago, in her infernal caldron! I would know it at the other + end of the world!” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure?” said Ormiston, glancing again with new curiosity at the + marble face. “I never saw anything half so beautiful in all my life; but + you see she is dead of the plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Dead? she cannot be! Nothing so perfect could die!” + </p> + <p> + “Look there,” said Ormiston pointing to the plague-spot. “There is the + fatal token! For Heaven's sake let us get out of this, or we will share + the same fate before morning!” + </p> + <p> + But Sir Norman did not move—could not move; he stood there rooted to + the spot by the spell of that lovely, lifeless face. + </p> + <p> + Usually the plague left its victims hideous, ghastly, discolored, and + covered with blotches; but in this case then was nothing to mar the + perfect beauty of the satin-smooth skin, but that one dreadful mark. + </p> + <p> + There Sir Norman stood in his trance, as motionless as if some genie out + of the “Arabian Nights” had suddenly turned him into stone (a trick they + were much addicted to), and destined him to remain there an ornamental + fixture for ever. Ormiston looked at him distractedly, uncertain whether + to try moral suasion or to take him by the collar and drag him headlong + down the stairs, when a providential but rather dismal circumstance came + to his relief. A cart came rattling along the street, a bell was loudly + rang, and a hoarse voice arose with it: “Bring out your dead! Bring out + your dead!” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston rushed down stair to intercept the dead-cart, already almost full + on it way to the plague-pit. The driver stopped at his call, and instantly + followed him up stairs, and into the room. Glancing at the body with the + utmost sang-froid, he touched the dress, and indifferently remarked: + </p> + <p> + “A bride, I should say; and an uncommonly handsome one too. We'll just + take her along as she is, and strip these nice things off the body when we + get it to the plague-pit.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he wrapped her in the sheet, and directing Ormiston to take + hold of the two lower ends, took the upper corners himself, with the air + of a man quite used to that sort of thing. Ormiston recoiled from touching + it; and Sir Norman seeing what they were about to do, and knowing there + was no help for it, made up his mind, like a sensible young man as he was, + to conceal his feelings, and caught hold of the sheet himself. In this + fashion the dead bride was carried down stairs, and laid upon a shutter on + the top of a pile of bodies in the dead-cart. + </p> + <p> + It was now almost dark, and as the cart started, the great clock of St. + Paul's struck eight. St. Michael's, St Alban's, and the others took up the + sound; and the two young men paused to listen. For many weeks the sky had + been clear, brilliant, and blue; but on this night dark clouds were + scudding in wild unrest across it, and the air was oppressingly close and + sultry. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going now?” said Ormiston. “Are you for Whitehall's to + night?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” said Sir Norman, rather dejectedly, turning to follow the pest-cart. + “I am for the plague-pit in Finsbury fields!” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, man!” exclaimed Ormiston, energetically, “what will take you + there? You surely are not mad enough to follow the body of that dead + girl?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall follow it! You can come or not, just as you please.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! if you are determined, I will go with you, of course; but it is the + craziest freak I ever heard of. After this, you need never laugh at me.” + </p> + <p> + “I never will,” said Sir Norman, moodily; “for if you love a face you have + never seen, I love one I have only looked on when dead. Does it not seem + sacrilege to throw any one so like an angel into that horrible + plague-pit?” + </p> + <p> + “I never saw an angel,” said Ormiston, as he and his friend started to go + after the dead-cart. “And I dare say there have been scores as beautiful + as that poor girl thrown into the plague-pit before now. I wonder why the + house has been deserted, and if she was really a bride. The bridegroom + could not have loved her much, I fancy, or not even the pestilence could + have scared him away.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Ormiston, what an extraordinary thing it is that it should be + precisely the same face that the fortune-teller showed me. There she was + alive, and here she is dead; so I've lost all faith in La Masque for + ever.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston looked doubtful. + </p> + <p> + “Are you quite sure it is the same, Kingsley?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite sure?” said Sir Norman, indignantly. “Of course I am! Do you think + I could be mistaken is such a case? I tell you I would know that face at + Kamschatka or, the North Pole; for I don't believe there ever was such + another created.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it, then! Your object, of course, in following that cart is, to + take a last look at her?” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely so. Don't talk; I feel in no mood for it just at present.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston smiled to himself, and did not talk, accordingly; and in silence + the two friends followed the gloomy dead-cart. A faint young moon, pale + and sickly, was struggling dimly through drifts of dark clouds, and + lighted the lonesome, dreary streets with a wan, watery glimmer. For + weeks, the weather had been brilliantly fine—the days all sunshine, + the nights all moonlight; but now Ormiston, looking up at the troubled + face of the sky, concluded mentally that the Lord Mayor had selected an + unpropitious night for the grand illumination. Sir Norman, with his eyes + on the pest-cart, and the long white figure therein, took no heed of + anything in the heaven above or in the earth beneath, and strode along in + dismal silence till they reached, at last, their journey's end. + </p> + <p> + As the cart stopped the two young men approached the edge of the + plague-pit, and looked in with a shudder. Truly it was a horrible sight, + that heaving, putrid sea of corruption; for the bodies of the miserable + victims were thrown in in cartfuls, and only covered with a handful of + earth and quicklime. Here and there, through the cracking and sinking + surface, could be seen protruding a fair white arm, or a baby face, + mingled with the long, dark tresses of maidens, the golden curls of + children, and the white hairs of old age. The pestilential effluvia + arising from the dreadful mass was so overpowering that both shrank back, + faint and sick, after a moment's survey. It was indeed as Sir Norman had, + said, a horrible grave wherein to lie. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the driver, with an eye to business, and no time for such + nonsense as melancholy moralizing, had laid the body of the young girl on + the ground, and briskly turned his cart and dumped the remainder of his + load into the pit. Then, having flung a few handfuls of clay over it, he + unwound the sheet, and kneeling beside the body, prepared to remove the + jewels. The rays of the moon and his dark lantern fell on the lovely, + snow-white face together, and Sir Norman groaned despairingly as he saw + its death-cold rigidity. The man had stripped the rings off the fingers, + the bracelets off the arms; but as he was about to perform the same + operation toward the necklace, he was stopped by a startling interruption + enough. In his haste, the clasp entered the beautiful neck, inflicting a + deep scratch, from which the blood spouted; and at the same instant the + dead girl opened her eyes with a shrill cry. Uttering a yell of terror, as + well he might, the man sprang back and gazed at her with horror, believing + that his sacrilegious robbery had brought the dead to life. Even the two + young men—albeit, neither of them given to nervousness nor cowardice—recoiled + for an instant, and stared aghast. Then, as the whole truth struck them, + that the girl had been in a deep swoon and not dead, both simultaneously + darted forward, and forgetting all fear of infection, knelt by her side. A + pair of great, lustrous black eyes were staring wildly around, and fixed + themselves first on one face and then on the other. + </p> + <p> + “Where am I?” she exclaimed, with a terrified look, as she strove to raise + herself on her elbow, and fell instantaneously back with a cry of agony, + as she felt for the first time the throbbing anguish of the wound. + </p> + <p> + “You are with friends, dear lady!” said Sir Norman, in a voice quite + tremulous between astonishment and delight. “Fear nothing, for you shall + be saved.” + </p> + <p> + The great black eyes turned wildly upon him, while a fierce spasm + convulsed the beautiful face. + </p> + <p> + “O, my God, I remember! I have the plague!” And, with a prolonged shriek + of anguish, that thrilled even to the hardened heart of the dead-cart + driver, the girl fell back senseless again. Sir Norman Kingsley sprang to + his feet, and with more the air of a frantic lunatic than a responsible + young English knight, caught the cold form in his arms, laid it in the + dead-cart, and was about springing into the driver's seat, when that + individual indignantly interposed. + </p> + <p> + “Come, now; none of that! If you were the king himself, you shouldn't run + away with my cart in that fashion; so you just get out of my place as fast + as you can!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Kingsley, what are you about to do?” asked Ormiston, catching his + excited friend by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “Do!” exclaimed Sir Norman, in a high key. “Can't you see that for + yourself! And I'm going to have that girl cured of the plague, if there is + such a thing as a doctor to be had for love or money in London.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better have her taken to the pest house at once, then; there are + chirurgeons and nurses enough there.” + </p> + <p> + “To the pest-house! Why man, I might as well have her thrown into the + plague-pit there, at once! Not I! I shall have her taken to my own house, + and there properly cared for, and this good fellow will drive her there + instantly.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman backed this insinuation by putting a broad gold-piece into the + driver's hand, which instantly produced a magical effect on his rather + surly countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, sir,” he began, springing into his seat with alacrity. “Where + shall I drive the young lady to?” + </p> + <p> + “Follow me,” said Sir Norman. “Come along, Ormiston.” And seizing his + friend by the arm, he hurried along with a velocity rather uncomfortable, + considering they both wore cloaks, and the night was excessively sultry. + The gloomy vehicle and its fainting burden followed close behind. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean to do with her?” asked Ormiston, as soon as he found + breath enough to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Haven't I told you?” said Sir Norman, impatiently. “Take her home, of + course.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that?” + </p> + <p> + “Go for a doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that?” + </p> + <p> + “Take care of her till she gets well.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that?” + </p> + <p> + “Why—find out her history, and all about her.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that?” + </p> + <p> + “After that! After that! How do I know what after that!” exclaimed Sir + Norman, rather fiercely. “Ormiston, what do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston laughed. + </p> + <p> + “And after that you'll marry her, I suppose!” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I may, if she will have me. And what if I do?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nothing! Only it struck me you may be saving another man's wife.” + </p> + <p> + “That's true!” said Sir Norman, in a subdued tone, “and if such should + unhappily be the case, nothing will remain but to live in hopes that he + may be carried off by the plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray Heaven that we may not be carried off by it ourselves!” said + Ormiston, with a slight shudder. “I shall dream of nothing but that + horrible plague-pit for a week. If it were not for La Masque, I would not + stay another hour in this pest-stricken city.” + </p> + <p> + “Here we are,” was Sir Norman's rather inapposite answer, as they entered + Piccadilly, and stopped before a large and handsome house, whose gloomy + portal was faintly illuminated by a large lamp. “Here, my man just carry + the lady in.” + </p> + <p> + He unlocked the door as he spoke, and led the way across a long hall to a + sleeping chamber, elegantly fitter up. The man placed the body on the bed + and departed while Sir Norman, seizing a handbell, rang a peal that + brought a staid-looking housekeeper to the scene directly. Seeing a lady, + young and beautiful, in bride robes, lying apparently dead on her young + master's bed at that hour of the night, the discreet matron, over whose + virtuous head fifty years and a snow-white cap had passed, started back + with a slight scream. + </p> + <p> + “Gracious me, Sir Norman! What on earth is the meaning of this?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mrs. Preston,” began Sir Norman blandly, “this young lady is ill + of the plague, and—” + </p> + <p> + But all further explanation was cut short by a horrified shriek from the + old lady, and a precipitate rush from the room. Down stairs she flew, + informing the other servants as she went, between her screams, and when + Sir Norman, in a violent rage, went in search of her five minutes after, + he found not only the kitchen, but the whole house deserted. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Ormiston, as Sir Norman strode back, looking fiery hot and + savagely angry. + </p> + <p> + “Well, they have all fled, every man and woman of them, the—” Sir + Norman ground out something not quite proper, behind his moustache. “I + shall have to go for the doctor, myself. Doctor Forbes is a friend of + mine, and lives near; and you,” looking at him rather doubtfully, “would + you mind staying here, lest she should recover consciousness before I + return?” + </p> + <p> + “To tell you the truth,” said Ormiston, with charming frankness, “I + should! The lady is extremely beautiful, I must own; but she looks + uncomfortably corpse-like at this present moment. I do not wish to die of + the plague, either, until I see La Masque once more; and so if it is all + the same to you, my dear friend, I will have the greatest pleasure in + stepping round with you to the doctor's.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman, though he did not much approve of this, could not very well + object, and the two sallied forth together. Walking a short distance up + Piccadilly, they struck off into a bye street, and soon reached the house + they were in search of. Sir Norman knocked loudly at the door, which was + opened by the doctor himself. Briefly and rapidly Sir Norman informed him + how and where his services were required; and the doctor being always + provided with everything necessary for such cases, set out with him + immediately. Fifteen minutes after leaving his own house, Sir Norman was + back there again, and standing in his own chamber. But a simultaneous + exclamation of amazement and consternation broke from him and Ormiston, as + on entering the room they found the bed empty, and the lady gone! + </p> + <p> + A dead pause followed, during which the three looked blankly at the bed, + and then at each other. The scene, no doubt, would have been ludicrous + enough to a third party; but neither of our trio could saw anything + whatever to laugh at. Ormiston was the first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “What in Heaven's name has happened!” he wonderingly exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Some one has been here,” said Sir Norman, turning very pale, “and carried + her off while we were gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us search the house,” said the doctor; “you should have locked your + door, Sir Norman; but it may not be too late yet.” + </p> + <p> + Acting on the hint, Sir Norman seized the lamp burning on the table, and + started on the search. His two friends followed him, and + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The highest, the lowest, the loveliest spot, + They searched for the lady, and found her not.” + </pre> + <p> + No, though there was not the slightest trace of robbers or intruders, + neither was there the slightest trace of the beautiful plague-patient. + Everything in the house was precisely as it always was, but the silver + shining vision was gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE COURT PAGE + </h2> + <p> + The search was given over at last in despair, and the doctor took his hat + and disappeared. Sir Norman and Ormiston stopped in the lower hall and + looked at each other in mute amaze. + </p> + <p> + “What can it all mean?” asked Ormiston, appealing more to society at large + than to his bewildered companion. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't the faintest idea,” said Sir Norman, distractedly; “only I am + pretty certain, if I don't find her, I shall do something so desperate + that the plague will be a trifle compared to it!” + </p> + <p> + “It seems almost impossible that she can have been carried off—doesn't + it?” + </p> + <p> + “If she has!” exclaimed Sir Norman, “and I find out the abductor, he won't + have a whole bone in his body two minutes after!” + </p> + <p> + “And yet more impossible that she can have gone off herself,” pursued + Ormiston with the air of one entering upon an abstruse subject, and taking + no heed whatever of his companion's marginal notes. + </p> + <p> + “Gone off herself! Is the man crazy?” inquired Sir Norman, with a stare. + “Fifteen minutes before we left her dead, or in a dead swoon, which is all + the same in Greek, and yet he talks of her getting up and going off + herself!” + </p> + <p> + “In fact, the only way to get at the bottom of the mystery,” said + Ormiston, “is to go in search of her. Sleeping, I suppose, is out of the + question.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is! I shall never sleep again till I find her!” + </p> + <p> + They passed out, and Sir Norman this time took the precaution of turning + the key, thereby fulfilling the adage of locking the stable-door when the + steed was stolen. The night had grown darker and hotter; and as they + walked along, the clock of St. Paul's tolled nine. + </p> + <p> + “And now, where shall we go?” inquired Sir Norman, as they rapidly hurried + on. + </p> + <p> + “I should recommend visiting the house we found her first; if not there, + then we can try the pest-house.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman shuddered. + </p> + <p> + “Heaven forefend she should be there! It is the most mysterious thing ever + I heard of!” + </p> + <p> + “What do you think now of La Masque's prediction—dare you doubt + still?” + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston, I don't know what to think. It is the same face I saw, and yet—” + </p> + <p> + “Well—and yet—” + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell you—I am fairly bewildered. If we don't find the lady + at her own house, I have half a mind to apply to your friend, La Masque, + again.” + </p> + <p> + “The wisest thing you could do, my dear fellow. If any one knows your + unfortunate beloved's whereabouts, it is La Masque, depend upon it.” + </p> + <p> + “That's settled then; and now, don't talk, for conversation at this smart + pace I don't admire.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston, like the amiable, obedient young man that he was, instantly held + his tongue, and they strode along at a breathless pace. There was an + unusual concourse of men abroad that night, watching the gloomy face of + the sky, and waiting the hour of midnight to kindle the myriad of fires; + and as the two tall, dark figures went rapidly by, all supposed it to be a + case of life or death. In the eyes of one of the party, perhaps it was; + and neither halted till they came once more in sight of the house, whence + a short time previously they had carried the death-cold bride. A row of + lamps over the door-portals shed a yellow, uncertain light around, while + the lights of barges and wherries were sown like stars along the river. + </p> + <p> + “There is the house,” cried Ormiston, and both paused to take breath; “and + I am about at the last gasp. I wonder if your pretty mistress would feel + grateful if she knew what I have come through to-night for her sweet + sake?” + </p> + <p> + “There are no lights,” said Sir Norman, glancing anxiously up at the + darkened front of the house; “even the link before the door is unlit. + Surely she cannot be there.” + </p> + <p> + “That remains to be seen, though I'm very doubtful about it myself. Ah! + whom have we here?” + </p> + <p> + The door of the house in question opened, as he spoke, and a figure—a + man's figure, wearing a slouched hat and long, dark cloak, came slowly + out. He stopped before the house and looked at it long and earnestly; and, + by the twinkling light of the lamps, the friends saw enough of him to know + he was young and distinguished looking. + </p> + <p> + “I should not wonder in the least if that were the bridegroom,” whispered + Ormiston, maliciously. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman turned pale with jealousy, and laid his hand on his sword, with + a quick and natural impulse to make the bride a widow forthwith. But he + checked the desire for an instant as the brigandish-looking gentleman, + after a prolonged stare at the premises, stepped up to the watchman, who + had given them their information an hour or two before, and who was still + at his post. The friends could not be seen, but they could hear, and they + did so very earnestly indeed. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me, my friend,” began the cloaked unknown, “what has become + of the people residing in yonder house?” + </p> + <p> + The watchman, held his lamp up to the face of the interlocutor—a + handsome face by the way, what could be seen of it—and indulged + himself in a prolonged survey. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” said the gentleman, impatiently, “have you no tongue, fellow? + Where are they, I say?” + </p> + <p> + “Blessed if I know,” said the watchman. “I, wasn't set here to keep guard + over them was I? It looks like it, though,” said the man in parenthesis; + “for this makes twice to-night I've been asked questions about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the gentleman, with a slight start. “Who asked you before, + pray?” + </p> + <p> + “Two young gentlemen; lords, I expect, by their dress. Somebody ran + screaming out of the house, and they wanted to know what was wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” said the stranger, breathlessly, “and then?” + </p> + <p> + “And then, as I couldn't tell them they went in to see for themselves, and + shortly after came out with a body wrapped in a sheet, which they put in a + pest-cart going by, and had it buried, I suppose, with the rest in the + plague-pit.” + </p> + <p> + The stranger fairly staggered back, and caught at a pillar near for + support. For nearly ten minutes, he stood perfectly motionless, and then, + without a word, started up and walked rapidly away. The friends looked + after him curiously till he was out of sight. + </p> + <p> + “So she is not there,” said Ormiston; “and our mysterious friend in the + cloak is as much at a loss as we are ourselves. Where shall we go next—to + La Masque or the peat-house?” + </p> + <p> + “To La Masque—I hate the idea of the pest-house!” + </p> + <p> + “She may be there, nevertheless; and under present circumstances, it is + the best place for her.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't talk of it!” said Sir Norman, impatiently. “I do not and will not + believe she is there! If the sorceress shows her to me in the caldron + again, I verily believe I shall jump in head foremost.” + </p> + <p> + “And I verily believe we will not find La Masque at home. She wanders + through the streets at all hours, but particularly affects the night.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall try, however. Come along!” + </p> + <p> + The house of the sorceress was but a short distance from that of Sir + Norman's plague-stricken lady-love's; and shod with a sort of seven-league + boots, they soon reached it. Like the other, it was all dark and deserted. + </p> + <p> + “This is the home,” said Ormiston, looking at it doubtfully, “but where is + La Masque?” + </p> + <p> + “Here!” said a silvery voice at his elbow; and turning round, they saw a + tall, slender figure, cloaked, hooded, and masked. “Surely, you two do not + want me again to-night?” + </p> + <p> + Both gentlemen doffed their plumed hats, and simultaneously bowed. + </p> + <p> + “Fortune favors us,” said Sir Norman. “Yes, madam, it is even so; once + again to-night we would tax your skill.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you wish to know?” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, we are in the street.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, I'm aware of that. Pray proceed.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you not have the goodness to permit us to enter?” said Sir Norman, + inclined to feel offended. “How can you tell us what we wish to know, + here?” + </p> + <p> + “That is my secret,” said the sweet voice. “Probably Sir Norman Kingsley + wishes to know something of the fair lady I showed him some time ago?” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, you've guessed it. It is for that purpose I have sought you now.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have seen her already?” + </p> + <p> + “I have.” + </p> + <p> + “And love her?” + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart!” + </p> + <p> + “A rapid flame,” said the musical voice, in a tone that had just a thought + of sarcasm; “for one of whose very existence you did not dream two hours + ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame La Masque,” said Norman, flushed sad haughty, “love is not a + question of time.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley,” said the lady, somewhat sadly, “I am aware of that. + Tell me what you wish to know, and if it be in my power, you shall know + it.” + </p> + <p> + “A thousand thanks! Tell me, then, is she whom I seek living or dead?” + </p> + <p> + “She is alive.” + </p> + <p> + “She has the plague?” said Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “I know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Will she recover?” + </p> + <p> + “She will.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is she now?” + </p> + <p> + La Masque hesitated and seemed uncertain whether or not to reply, Sir + Norman passionately broke in: + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, madam, for I must know!” + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall; but, remember, if you get into danger, you must not blame + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Blame you! No, I think I would hardly do that. Where am I to seek for + her?” + </p> + <p> + “Two miles from London beyond Newgate,” said the mask. “There stand the + ruins of what was long ago a hunting-lodge, now a crumbling skeleton, + roofless and windowless, and said, by rumor, to be haunted. Perhaps you + have seen or heard of it?” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen it a hundred times,” broke in Sir Norman. “Surely, you do not + mean to say she is there?” + </p> + <p> + “Go there, and you will see. Go there to-night, and lose no time—that + is, supposing you can procure a license.” + </p> + <p> + “I have one already. I have a pass from the Lord Mayor to come and go from + the city when I please.” + </p> + <p> + “Good! Then you'll go to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go. I might as well do that as anything else, I suppose; but it is + quite impossible,” said Sir Norman, firmly, not to say obstinately, “that + she can be there.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well you'll see. You had better go on horseback, if you desire to be + back in time to witness the illumination.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't particularly desire to see the illumination, as I know of; but I + will ride, nevertheless. What am I to do when I get there?” + </p> + <p> + “You will enter the ruins, and go on till you discover a spiral staircase + leading to what was once the vaults. The flags of these vaults are loose + from age, and if you should desire to remove any of them, you will + probably not find it an impossibility.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should I desire to remove them?” asked Sir Norman, who felt dubious, + and disappointed, and inclined to be dogmatical. + </p> + <p> + “Why, you may see a glimmering of light—hear strange noises; and if + you remove the stones, may possibly see strange sights. As I told you + before, it is rumored to be haunted, which is true enough, though not in + the way they suspect; and so the fools and the common herd stay away.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I am discovered peeping like a rascally valet, what will be the + consequences?” + </p> + <p> + “Very unpleasant ones to you; but you need not be discovered if you take + care. Ah! Look there!” + </p> + <p> + She pointed to the river, and both her companions looked. A barge gayly + painted and gilded, with a light in prow and stern, came gliding up among + less pretentious craft, and stopped at the foot of a flight of stairs + leading to the bridge. It contained four persons—the oarsman, two + cavaliers sitting in the stern, and a lad in the rich livery of a + court-page in the act of springing out. Nothing very wonderful in all + this; and Sir Norman and Ormiston looked at her for an explanation. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know those two gentlemen?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” replied Sir Norman, promptly; “one is the Duke of York, the + other the Earl of Rochester.” + </p> + <p> + “And that page, to which of them does he belong?” + </p> + <p> + “The page!” said Sir Norman, with a stare, as he leaned forward to look; + “pray, madam, what has the page to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “Look and see!” + </p> + <p> + The two peers has ascended the stairs, and were already on the bridge. The + page loitered behind, talking, as it seemed, to the waterman. + </p> + <p> + “He wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester,” said Ormiston, speaking + for the first time, “but I cannot see his face.” + </p> + <p> + “He will follow presently, and be sure you see it then! Possibly you may + not find it entirely new to you.” + </p> + <p> + She drew back into the shadow as she spoke; and the two nobles, as they + advanced, talking earnestly, beheld Sir Norman and Ormiston. Both raised + their hats with a look of recognition, and the salute was courteously + returned by the others. + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, gentlemen,” said Lord Rochester; “a hot evening, is it not? + Have you come here to witness the illumination?” + </p> + <p> + “Hardly,” said Sir Norman; “we have come for a very different purpose, my + lord.” + </p> + <p> + “The fires will have one good effect,” said Ormiston laughing; “if they + clear the air and drive away this stifling atmosphere.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray God they drive away the plague!” said the Duke of York, as he and + his companion passed from view. + </p> + <p> + The page sprang up the stairs after them, humming as he came, one of his + master's love ditties—songs, saith tradition, savoring anything but + the odor of sanctity. With the warning of La Masque fresh in their mind, + both looked at him earnestly. His gay livery was that of Lord Rochester, + and became his graceful figure well, as he marched along with a jaunty + swagger, one hand on his aide, and the other toying with a beautiful + little spaniel, that frisked in open violation of the Lord Mayor's orders, + commanding all dogs, great and small, to be put to death as propagators of + the pestilence. In passing, the lad turned his face toward them for a + moment—a bright, saucy, handsome face it was—and the next + instant he went round an angle and disappeared. Ormiston suppressed an + oath. Sir Norman stifled a cry of amazement—for both recognized that + beautiful colorless face, those perfect features, and great, black, + lustrous eyes. It was the face of the lady they had saved from the + plague-pit! + </p> + <p> + “Am I sane or mad?” inquired Sir Norman, looking helplessly about him for + information. “Surely that is she we are in search of.” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly is!” said Ormiston. “Where are the wonders of this night to + end?” + </p> + <p> + “Satan and La Masque only know; for they both seem to have united to drive + me mad. Where is she?” + </p> + <p> + “Where, indeed?” said Ormiston; “where is last year's snow?” And Sir + Norman, looking round at the spot where she had stood a moment before, + found that she, too, had disappeared. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE STRANGER. + </h2> + <p> + The two friends looked at each other in impressive silence for a moment, + and spake never a word. Not that they were astonished—they were long + past the power of that emotion: and if a cloud had dropped from the sky at + their feet, they would probably have looked at it passively, and vaguely + wonder if the rest would follow. Sir Norman, especially, had sank into a + state of mind that words are faint and feeble to describe. Ormiston, not + being quite so far gone, was the first to open his lips. + </p> + <p> + “Upon my honor, Sir Norman, this is the most astonishing thing ever I + heard of. That certainly was the face of our half-dead bride! What, in the + name of all the gods, can it mean, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “I have given up wondering,” said Sir Norman, in the same helpless tone. + “And if the earth was to open and swallow London up, I should not be the + least surprised. One thing is certain: the lady we are seeking and that + page are one and the same.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet La Masque told you she was two miles from the city, in the + haunted ruin; and La Masque most assuredly knows.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt she is there. I shall not be the least astonished if I + find her in every street between this and Newgate.” + </p> + <p> + “Really, it is a most singular affair! First you see her in the magic + caldron; then we find her dead; then, when within an ace of being buried, + she comes to life; then we leave her lifeless as a marble statue, shut up + in your room, and fifteen minutes after, she vanishes as mysteriously as a + fairy in a nursery legend. And, lastly, she turns up in the shape of a + court-page, and swaggers along London Bridge at this hour of the night, + chanting a love song. Faith! it would puzzle the sphinx herself to read + this riddle, I've a notion!” + </p> + <p> + “I, for one, shall never try to read it,” said Sir Norman. “I am about + tired of this labyrinth of mysteries, and shall save time and La Masque to + unravel them at their leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you mean to give up the pursuit?” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly. I love this mysterious beauty too well to do that; and when + next I find her, be it where it may, I shall take care she does not slip + so easily through my fingers.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot forget that page,” said Ormiston, musingly. “It is singular + since, he wears the Earl of Rochester's livery, that we have never seen + him before among his followers. Are you quite sure, Sir Norman, that you + have not?” + </p> + <p> + “Seen him? Don't be absurd, Ormiston! Do you think I could ever forget + such a face as that?” + </p> + <p> + “It would not be easy, I confess. One does not see such every day. And yet—and + yet—it is most extraordinary!” + </p> + <p> + “I shall ask Rochester about him the first thing to-morrow; and unless he + is an optical illusion—which I vow I half believe is the case—I + will come at the truth in spite of your demoniac friend, La Masque!” + </p> + <p> + “Then you do not mean to look for him to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “Look for him? I might as well look for a needle in a haystack. No! I have + promised La Masque to visit the old ruins, and there I shall go forthwith. + Will you accompany me?” + </p> + <p> + “I think not. I have a word to say to La Masque, and you and she kept + talking so busily, I had no chance to put it in.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Besides, I have no doubt it is a word you would not like to utter in the + presence of a third party, even though that third party be your friend and + Pythias, Kingsley. Do you mean to stay here like a plague-sentinel until + she returns?” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly; or if I get tired I may set out in search of her. When do you + return?” + </p> + <p> + “The Fates, that seem to make a foot-ball of my best affections, and kick + them as they please, only know. If nothing happens—which, being + interpreted, means, if I am still in the land of the living—I shall + surely be back by daybreak.” + </p> + <p> + “And I shall be anxious about that time to hear the result of your night's + adventure; so where shall we meet?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not here? it is as good a place as any.” + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart. Where do you propose getting a horse?” + </p> + <p> + “At the King's Arms—but a stones throw from here. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, and God speed you!” said Ormiston. And wrapping his cloak + close about him, he leaned against the doorway, and, watching the dancing + lights on the river, prepared to await the return of La Masque. + </p> + <p> + With his head full of the adventures and misadventures of the night, Sir + Norman walked thoughtfully on until he reached the King's Arms—a low + inn on the bank of the river. To his dismay he found the house shut up, + and bearing the dismal mark and inscription of the pestilence. While he + stood contemplating it in perplexity, a watchman, on guard before another + plague-stricken house, advanced and informed him that the whole family had + perished of the disease, and that the landlord himself, the last survivor, + had been carried off not twenty minutes before to the plague-pit. + </p> + <p> + “But,” added the man, seeing Sir Norman's look of annoyance, and being + informed what he wanted, “there are two or three horses around there in + the stable, and you may as well help yourself, for if you don't take them, + somebody else will.” + </p> + <p> + This philosophic logic struck Sir Norman as being so extremely reasonable, + that without more ado he stepped round to the stables and selected the + best it contained. Before proceeding on his journey, it occurred to him + that, having been handling a plague-patient, it would be a good thing to + get his clothes fumigated; so he stepped into an apothecary's store for + that purpose, and provided himself also with a bottle of aromatic vinegar. + Thus prepared for the worst, Sir Norman sprang on his horse like a second + Don Quixote striding his good steed Rozinante, and sallied forth in quest + of adventures. These, for a short time, were of rather a dismal character; + for, hearing the noise of a horse's hoofs in the silent streets at that + hour of the night, the people opened their doors as he passed by, thinking + it the pest-cart, and brought forth many a miserable victim of the + pestilence. Averting his head from the revolting spectacles, Sir Norman + held the bottle of vinegar to his nostrils, and rode rapidly till he + reached Newgate. There he was stopped until his bill of health was + examined, and that small manuscript being found all right, he was + permitted to pass on in peace. Everywhere he went, the trail of the + serpent was visible over all. Death and Desolation went hand in hand. + Outside as well as inside the gates, great piles of wood and coal were + arranged, waiting only the midnight hour to be fired. Here, however, no + one seemed to be stirring; and no sound broke the silence but the distant + rumble of the death-cart, and the ringing of the driver's bell. There were + lights in some of the houses, but many of them were dark and deserted, and + nearly every one bore the red cross of the plague. + </p> + <p> + It was a gloomy scene and hour, and Sir Norman's heart turned sick within + him as he noticed the ruin and devastation the pestilence had everywhere + wrought. And he remembered, with a shudder, the prediction of Lilly, the + astrologer, that the paved streets of London would be like green fields, + and the living be no longer able to bury the dead. Long before this, he + had grown hardened and accustomed to death from its very frequence; but + now, as he looked round him, he almost resolved to ride on and return no + more to London till the plague should have left it. But then came the + thought of his unknown lady-love, and with it the reflection that he was + on his way to find her; and, rousing himself from his melancholy reverie, + he rode on at a brisker pace, heroically resolved to brave the plague or + any other emergency, for her sake. Full of this laudable and lover-like + resolution, he had got on about half a mile further, when he was suddenly + checked in his rapid career by an exciting, but in no way surprising, + little incident. + </p> + <p> + During the last few yards, Sir Norman had come within sight of another + horseman, riding on at rather a leisurely pace, considering the place and + the hour. Suddenly three other horsemen came galloping down upon him, and + the leader presenting a pistol at his head, requested him in a stentorial + voice for his money or his life. By way of reply, the stranger instantly + produced a pistol of his own, and before the astonished highwayman could + comprehend the possibility of such an act, discharged it full in his face. + With a loud yell the robber reeled and fell from his saddle, and in a + twinkling both his companions fired their pistols at the traveler, and + bore, with a simultaneous cry of rage, down upon him. Neither of the shots + had taken effect, but the two enraged highwaymen would have made short + work of their victim had not Sir Norman, like a true knight, ridden to the + rescue. Drawing his sword, with one vigorous blow he placed another of the + assassins hors de combat; and, delighted with the idea of a fight to stir + his stagnant blood, was turning (like a second St. George at the Dragon), + upon the other, when that individual, thinking discretion the better part + of valor, instantaneously turned tail and fled. The whole brisk little + episode had not occupied five minutes, and Sir Norman was scarcely aware + the fight had began before it had triumphantly ended. + </p> + <p> + “Short, sharp, and decisive!” was the stranger's cool criticism, as he + deliberately wiped his blood-stained sword, and placed it in a velvet + scabbard. “Our friends, there, got more than they bargained for, I fancy. + Though, but for you, Sir,” he said, politely raising his hat and bowing, + “I should probably have been ere this in heaven, or—the other + place.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman, deeply edified by the easy sang-froid of the speaker, turned + to take a second look at him. There was very little light; for the night + had grown darker as it wore on, and the few stars that had glimmered + faintly had hid their diminished heads behind the piles of inky clouds. + Still, there was a sort of faint phosphorescent light whitening the gloom, + and by it Sir Norman's keen bright eyes discovered that he wore a long + dark cloak and slouched hat. He discovered something else, too—that + he had seen that hat and cloak, and the man inside of them on London + Bridge, not an hour before. It struck Sir Norman there was a sort of + fatality in their meeting; and his pulses quickened a trifle, as he + thought that he might be speaking to the husband of the lady for whom he + had so suddenly conceived such a rash and inordinate attachment. That + personage meantime having reloaded his pistol, with a self-possession + refreshing to witness, replaced it in his doublet, gathered up the reins, + and, glancing slightly at his companion, spoke again, + </p> + <p> + “I should thank you for saving my life, I suppose, but thanking people is + so little in my line, that I scarcely know how to set about it. Perhaps, + my dear sir, you will take the will for the deed.” + </p> + <p> + “An original, this,” thought Sir Norman, “whoever he is.” Then aloud: + “Pray don't trouble yourself about thanks, sir, I should have dome + precisely the same for the highwaymen, had you been three to one over + them.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt it in the least; nevertheless I feel grateful, for you have + saved my life all the same, and you have never seen me before.” + </p> + <p> + “There you are mistaken,” said Sir Norman, quietly “I had the pleasure of + seeing you scarce an hour ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the stranger, in an altered tone, “and where?” + </p> + <p> + “On London Bridge.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not see you.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely, but I was there none the less.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know me?” said the stranger; and Sir Norman could see he was + gazing at him sharply from under the shadow of his slouched hat. + </p> + <p> + “I have not that honor, but I hope to do so before we part.” + </p> + <p> + “It was quite dark when you saw me on the bridge—how comes it, then, + that you recollect me so well?” + </p> + <p> + “I have always been blessed with an excellent memory,” said Sir Norman + carelessly, “and I knew your dress, face, and voice instantly.” + </p> + <p> + “My voice! Then you heard me speak, probably to the watchman guarding a + plague-stricken house?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly! and the subject being a very interesting one, I listened to all + you said.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! and what possible interest could the subject have for you, may I + ask?” + </p> + <p> + “A deeper one than you think!” said Sir Norman, with a slight tremor in + his voice as he thought of the lady, “the watchman told you the lady you + sought for had been carried away dead, and thrown into the plague-pit!” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” cried the stranger starting violently, “and was it not true?” + </p> + <p> + “Only partly. She was carried away in the pest-cart sure enough, but she + was not thrown into the plague-pit!” + </p> + <p> + “And why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, when on reaching that horrible spot, she was found to be alive!” + </p> + <p> + “Good Heaven! And what then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” exclaimed Sir Norman, in a tone almost as excited as his own, “she + was brought to the house of a friend, and left alone for a few minutes, + while that friend went in search of a doctor. On returning they found her—where + do you think?” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “Gone!” said Sir Norman emphatically, “spirited away by some mysterious + agency; for she was dying of the plague, and could not possibly stir hand + or foot herself.” + </p> + <p> + “Dying of the plague, O Leoline!” said the stranger, in a voice full of + pity and horror, while for a moment he covered his face with his hands. + </p> + <p> + “So her name is Leoline?” said Sir Norman to himself. “I have found that + out, and also that this gentleman, whatever he may be to her, is as + ignorant of her whereabouts as I am myself. He seems in trouble, too. I + wonder if he really happens to be her husband?” + </p> + <p> + The stranger suddenly lifted his head and favored Sir Norman with a long + and searching look. + </p> + <p> + “How come you to know all this, Sir Norman Kingsley,” he asked abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “And how come you to know my name?” demanded Sir Norman, very much amazed, + notwithstanding his assertion that nothing would astonish him more. + </p> + <p> + “That is of no consequence! Tell me how you've learned all this?” repeated + the stranger, in a tone of almost stern authority. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman started and stared. That voice! I have had heard it a thousand + times! It had evidently been disguised before; but now, in the excitement + of the moment, the stranger was thrown off his guard, and it became + perfectly familiar. But where had he heard it? For the life of him, Sir + Norman could not tell, yet it was as well known to him as his own. It had + the tone, too, of one far more used to command than entreaty; and Sir + Norman, instead of getting angry, as he felt he ought to have done, + mechanically answered: + </p> + <p> + “The watchman told you of the two young men who brought her out and laid + her in the dead-cart—I was one of the two.” + </p> + <p> + “And who was the other?” + </p> + <p> + “A friend of mine—one Malcolm Ormiston.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I know him! Pardon my abruptness, Sir Norman,” said the stranger, + once more speaking in his assumed suave tone, “but I feel deeply on this + subject, and was excited at the moment. You spoke of her being brought to + the house of a friend—now, who may that friend be, for I was not + aware that she had any?” + </p> + <p> + “So I judged,” said Sir Norman, rather bitterly, “or she would not have + been left to die alone of the plague. She was brought to my house, sir, + and I am the friend who would have stood by her to the last!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman sat up very straight and haughty on his horse; and had it been + daylight, he would have seen a slight derisive smile pass over the lips of + his companion. + </p> + <p> + “I have always heard that Sir Norman Kingsley was a chivalrous knight,” he + said; “but I scarcely dreamed his gallantry would have carried him so far + as to brave death by the pestilence for the sake of an unknown lady—however + beautiful. I wonder you did not carry her to the pest-house.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt! Those who could desert her at such a time would probably be + capable of that or any other baseness!” + </p> + <p> + “My good friend,” said the stranger, calmly, “your insinuation is not + over-courteous, but I can forgive it, more for the sake of what you've + done for her to-night than for myself.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman's lip curled. + </p> + <p> + “I'm obliged to you! And now, sir, as you have seen fit to question me in + this free and easy manner, will you pardon me if I take the liberty of + returning the compliment, and ask you a few in return?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly; pray proceed, Sir Norman,” said the stranger, blandly; “you + are at liberty to ask as many questions as you please—so am I to + answer them.” + </p> + <p> + “I answered all yours unhesitatingly, and you owe it to me to do the + same,” said Sir Norman, somewhat haughtily. “In the first place, you have + an advantage of me which I neither understand, nor relish; so, to place us + on equal terms, will you have the goodness to tell me your name?” + </p> + <p> + “Most assuredly! My name,” said the stranger, with glib airiness, “is + Count L'Estrange.” + </p> + <p> + “A name unknown to me,” said Sir Norman, with a piercing look, “and + equally unknown, I believe, at Whitehall. There is a Lord L'Estrange in + London; but you and he are certainly not one and the same.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend does not believe me,” said the count, almost gayly—“a + circumstance I regret, but cannot help. Is there anything else Sir Norman + wishes to know?” + </p> + <p> + “If you do not answer my questions truthfully, there is little use in my + asking them,” said Sir Norman, bluntly. “Do you mean to say you are a + foreigner?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley is at perfect liberty to answer that question as he + pleases,” replied the stranger, with most provoking indifference. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman's eye flashed, and his hand fell on his sword; but, reflecting + that the count might find it inconvenient to answer any more questions if + he ran him through, he restrained himself and went on. + </p> + <p> + “Sir, you are impertinent, but that is of no consequence, just now. Who + was that lady—what was her name?” + </p> + <p> + “Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “Was she your wife?” + </p> + <p> + The stranger paused for a moment, as if reflecting whether she was or not, + and then said, meditatively, + </p> + <p> + “No—I don't know as she was. On the whole, I am pretty sure she was + not.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman felt as if a ton weight had been suddenly hoisted from the + region of his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Was she anybody else's wife?” + </p> + <p> + “I think not. I'm inclined to think that, except myself, she did not know + another man in London.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why was she dressed as a bride?” inquired Sir Norman, rather + mystified. + </p> + <p> + “Was she? My poor Leoline!” said the stranger, sadly. “Because-” he + hesitated, “because—in short, Sir Norman,” said the stranger, + decidedly, “I decline answering any more questions!” + </p> + <p> + “I shall find out, for all that,” said Sir Norman, “and here I shall bid + you good-night, for this by-path leads to my destination.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-night,” said the stranger, “and be careful, Sir Norman—remember, the + plague is abroad.” + </p> + <p> + “And so are highwaymen!” called Sir Norman after him, a little + maliciously; but a careless laugh from the stranger was the only reply as + he galloped away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE DWARF AND THE RUIN. + </h2> + <p> + The by-path down which Sir Norman rode, led to an inn, “The Golden Crown,” + about a quarter of a mile from the ruin. Not wishing to take his horse, + lest it should lead to discovery, he proposed leaving it here till his + return; and, with this intention, and the strong desire for a glass of + wine—for the heat and his ride made him extremely thirsty—he + dismounted at the door, and consigning the animal to the care of a + hostler, he entered the bar-room. It was not the most inviting place in + the world, this same bar-room—being illy-lighted, dim with + tobacco-smoke, and pervaded by a strong spirituous essence of stronger + drinks than malt or cold water. A number of men were loitering about, + smoking, drinking, and discussing the all-absorbing topic of the plague, + and the fires that might be kindled. There was a moment's pause, as Sir + Norman entered, took a seat, and called for a glass of sack, and then the + conversation went on as before. The landlord hastened to supply his wants + by placing a glass and a bottle of wine before him, and Sir Norman fell to + helping himself, and to ruminating deeply on the events of the night. + Rather melancholy these ruminations were, though to do the young gentleman + justice, sentimental melancholy was not at all in his line; but then you + will please to recollect he was in love, and when people come to that + state, they are no longer to be held responsible either for their thoughts + or actions. It is true his attack had been a rapid one, but it was no less + severe for that; and if any evil-minded critic is disposed to sneer at the + suddenness of his disorder, I have only to say, that I know from + observation, not to speak of experience, that love at first sight is a + lamentable fact, and no myth. + </p> + <p> + Love is not a plant that requires time to flourish, but is quite capable + of springing up like the gourd of Jonah full grown in a moment. Our young + friend, Sir Norman, had not been aware of the existence of the object of + his affections for a much longer space than two hours and a half, yet he + had already got to such a pitch, that if he did not speedily find her, he + felt he would do something so desperate as to shake society to its utmost + foundations. The very mystery of the affair spurred him on, and the + romantic way in which she had been found, saved, and disappeared, threw + such a halo of interest round her, that he was inclined to think sometimes + she was nothing but a shining vision from another world. Those dark, + splendid eyes; that lovely marblelike face; those wavy ebon tresses; that + exquisitely exquisite figure; yes, he felt they were all a great deal too + perfect for this imperfect and wicked world. Sir Norman was in a very bad + way, beyond doubt, but no worse than millions of young men before and + after him; and he heaved a great many profound sighs, and drank a great + many glasses of sack, and came to the sorrowful conclusion that Dame + Fortune was a malicious jade, inclined to poke fun at his best affections, + and make a shuttlecock of his heart for the rest of his life. He thought, + too, of Count L'Estrange; and the longer he thought, the more he became + convinced that he knew him well, and had met him often. But where? He + racked his brain until, between love, Leoline, and the count, he got that + delicate organ into such a maze of bewilderment and distraction, that he + felt he would be a case of congestion, shortly, if he did not give it up. + That the count's voice was not the only thing about him assumed, he was + positive; and he mentally called over the muster-roll of his past friends, + who spent half their time at Whitehall, and the other half going through + the streets, making love to the honest citizens' pretty wives and + daughters; but none of them answered to Count L'Estrange. He could + scarcely be a foreigner—he spoke English with too perfect an accent + to be that; and then he knew him, Sir Norman, as if he had been his + brother. In short, there was no use driving himself insane trying to read + so unreadable a riddle; and inwardly consigning the mysterious count to + Old Nick, he swallowed another glass of sack, and quit thinking about him. + </p> + <p> + So absorbed had Sir Norman been in his own mournful musings, that he paid + no attention whatever to those around him, and had nearly forgotten their + very presence, when one of them, with a loud cry, sprang to his feet, and + then fell writhing to the floor. The others, in dismay, gathered abut him, + but the next instant fell back with a cry of, “He has the plague!” At that + dreaded announcement, half of them scampered off incontinently; and the + other half with the landlord at their head, lifted the sufferer whose + groans and cries were heart-rendering, and carried him out of the house. + Sir Norman, rather dismayed himself, had risen to his feet, fully aroused + from his reverie, and found himself and another individual sole possessors + of the premises. His companion he could not very well make out; for he was + sitting, or rather crouching, in a remote and shadowy corner, where + nothing was clearly visible but the glare of a pair of fiery eyes. There + was a great redundancy of hair, too, about his head and face, indeed + considerable more about the latter than there seemed any real necessity + for, and even with the imperfect glimpse he caught of him the young man + set him down in his own mind as about as hard-looking a customer as he had + ever seen. The fiery eyes were glaring upon him like those of a tiger, + through a jungle of bushy hair, but their owner spoke never a word, though + the other stared back with compound interest. There they sat, beaming upon + each other—one fiercely, the other curiously, until the + re-appearance of the landlord with a very lugubrious and woebegone + countenance. It struck Sir Norman that it was about time to start for the + ruin; and, with an eye to business, he turned to cross-examine mine host a + trifle. + </p> + <p> + “What have they done with that man?” he asked by way of preface. + </p> + <p> + “Sent him to the pest-house,” replied the landlord, resting his elbows on + the counter and his chin in his hands, and staring dismally at the + opposite wall. “Ah! Lord 'a' mercy on us! These be dreadful times!” + </p> + <p> + “Dreadful enough!” said Sir Norman, sighing deeply, as he thought of his + beautiful Leoline, a victim of the merciless pestilence. “Have there been + many deaths here of the distemper?” + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-five to-day!” groaned the man. “Lord! what will become of us?” + </p> + <p> + “You seem rather disheartened,” said Sir Norman, pouring out a glass of + wine and handing it to him. “Just drink this, and don't borrow trouble. + They say sack is a sure specific against the plague.” + </p> + <p> + Mine host drained the bumper, and wiped his mouth, with another hollow + groan. + </p> + <p> + “If I thought that, sir, I'd not be sober from one week's end to t'other; + but I know well enough I will be in a plague-pit in less than a week. O + Lord! have mercy on us!” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” said Sir Norman, impatiently. “If fear has not taken away your + wits, my good sir, will you tell me what old ruin that is I saw a little + above here as I rode up?” + </p> + <p> + The man started from his trance of terror, and glanced, first at the fiery + eyes in the corner, and then at Sir Norman, in evident trepidation of the + question. + </p> + <p> + “That ruin, sir? You must be a stranger in this place, surely, or you + would not need to ask that question.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, suppose I am a stranger? What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, sir; only I thought everybody knew everything about that ruin.” + </p> + <p> + “But I do not, you see? So fill your glass again, and while you are + drinking it, just tell me what that everything comprises.” + </p> + <p> + Again the landlord glanced fearfully at the fiery eyes in the corner, and + again hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” exclaimed Sir Norman, at once surprised and impatient at his + taciturnity, “Can't you speak man? I want you to tell me all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing to tell, sir,” replied the host, goaded to desperation. + “It is an old, deserted ruin that's been here ever since I remember; and + that's all I know about it.” + </p> + <p> + While, he spoke, the crouching shape in the corner reared itself upright, + and keeping his fiery eyes still glaring upon Sir Norman, advanced into + the light. Our young knight was in the act of raising his glass to his + lips; but as the apparition approached, he laid it down again, untasted, + and stared at it in the wildest surprise and intensest curiosity. Truly, + it was a singular-looking creature, not to say a rather startling one. A + dwarf of some four feet high, and at least five feet broad across the + shoulders, with immense arms and head—a giant in everything but + height. His immense skull was set on such a trifle of a neck as to be + scarcely worth mentioning, and was garnished by a violent mat of coarse, + black hair, which also overran the territory of his cheeks and chin, + leaving no neutral ground but his two fiery eyes and a broken nose all + twisted awry. On a pair of short, stout legs he wore immense jack-boots, + his Herculean shoulders and chest were adorned with a leathern doublet, + and in the belt round his waist were conspicuously stuck a pair of pistols + and a dagger. Altogether, a more ugly or sinister gentleman of his inches + it would have been hard to find in all broad England. Stopping + deliberately before Sir Norman, he placed a hand on each hip, and in a + deep, guttural voice, addressed him: + </p> + <p> + “So, sir knight—for such I perceive you are—you are anxious to + know something of that old ruin yonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Sir Norman, so far recovering from his surprise as to be able + to speak, “suppose I am? Have you anything to say against it, my little + friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, not in the least!” said the dwarf, with a hoarse chuckle. “Only, + instead of wasting your breath asking this good man, who professes such + utter ignorance, you had better apply to me for information.” + </p> + <p> + Again Sir Norman surveyed the little Hercules from head to foot for a + moment, in silence, as one, nowadays, would an intelligent gorilla. + </p> + <p> + “You think so—do you? And what may you happen to know about it, my + pretty little friend?” + </p> + <p> + “O Lord!” exclaimed the landlord, to himself, with a frightened face, + while the dwarf “grinned horribly a ghastly smile” from ear to ear. + </p> + <p> + “So much, my good sir, that I would strongly advise you not to go near it, + unless you wish to catch something worse than the plague. There have been + others—our worthy host, there, whose teeth, you may perceive, are + chattering in his head, can tell you about those that have tried the + trick, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” said Sir Norman, curiously. + </p> + <p> + “And have never returned to tell what they found!” concluded the little + monster, with a diabolical leer. And as the landlord fell, gray and + gasping, back in his seat, he broke out into a loud and hyena-like laugh. + </p> + <p> + “My dear little friend,” said Sir Norman, staring at him in displeased + wonder, “don't laugh, if you can help it. You are unprepossessing enough + at best, but when you laugh, you look like the very (a downward gesture) + himself!” + </p> + <p> + Unheeding this advice, the dwarf broke again into an unearthly + cachinnation, that frightened the landlord nearly into fits, and seriously + discomposed the nervous system even of Sir Norman himself. Then, grinning + like a baboon, and still transfixing our puissant young knight with the + same tiger-like and unpleasant glare, he nodded a farewell; and in this + fashion, grinning, and nodding, and backing, he got to the door, and + concluding the interesting performance with a third hoarse and hideous + laugh, disappeared in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + For fully ten minutes after he was gone, the young man kept his eyes + blankly fixed on the door, with a vague impression that he was suffering + from an attack of nightmare; for it seemed impossible that anything so + preposterously ugly as that dwarf could exist out of one. A deep groan + from the landlord, however, convinced him that it was no disagreeable + midnight vision, but a brawny reality; and turning to that individual, he + found him gasping, in the last degree of terror, behind the counter. + </p> + <p> + “Now, who in the name of all the demons out of Hades may that ugly + abortion be?” inquired Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “O Lord! be merciful! sir, it's Caliban; and the only wonder is, he did + not leave you a bleeding corpse at his feet!” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see him try it. Perhaps he would have found that is a + game two can play at! Where does he come from and who is he!” + </p> + <p> + The landlord leaned over the counter, and placed a very pale and startled + face close to Sir Norman's. + </p> + <p> + “That's just what I wanted to tell you, sir, but I was afraid to speak + before him. I think he lives up in that same old ruin you were inquiring + about—at least, he is often seen hanging around there; but people + are too much afraid of him to ask him any questions. Ah, sir, it's a + strange place, that ruin, and there be strange stories afloat about it,” + said the man, with a portentious shake of the head. + </p> + <p> + “What are they?” inquired Sir Norman. “I should particularly like to + know.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, for one thing, some folks say it is haunted, on account of the + queer lights and noises about it, sometimes; but, again, there be other + folks, sir, that say the ghosts are alive, and that he”—nodding + toward the door—“is a sort of ringleader among them.” + </p> + <p> + “And who are they that cut up such cantrips in the old place, pray?” + </p> + <p> + “Lord only knows, sir. I'm sure I don't. I never go near it myself; but + there are others who have, and some of them tell of the most beautiful + lady, all in white, with long, black hair, who walks on the battlements + moonlight nights.” + </p> + <p> + “A beautiful lady, all in white, with long, black hair! Why, that + description applies to Leoline exactly.” + </p> + <p> + And Sir Norman gave a violent start, and arose to proceed to the place + directly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you go near it, sir!” said the host, warningly. “Others have gone, + as he told you, and never come back; for these be dreadful times, and men + do as they please. Between the plague and their wickedness, the Lord only + knows what will become of us!” + </p> + <p> + “If I should return here for my horse in an hour or two, I suppose I can + get him?” sad Sir Norman, as he turned toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “It's likely you can, sir, if I'm not dead by that time,” said the + landlord, as he sank down again, groaning dismally, with his chin between + his hands. + </p> + <p> + The night was now profoundly dark; but Sir Norman knew the road and ruin + well, and, drawing his sword, walked resolutely on. The distance between + it and the ruin was trifling, and in less than ten minutes it loomed up + before him, a mass of deeper black in the blackness. No white vision + floated on the broken battlements this night, as Sir Norman looked + wistfully up at them; but neither was there any ungainly dwarf, with + two-edged sword, guarding the ruined entrance; and Sir Norman passed + unmolested in. He sought the spiral staircase which La Masque had spoken + of, and, passing carefully from one ancient chamber to another, stumbling + over piles of rubbish and stones as he went, he reached it at last. + Descending gingerly its tortuous steepness, he found himself in the + mouldering vaults, and, as he trod them, his ear was greeted by the sound + of faint and far-off music. Proceeding farther, he heard distinctly, + mingled with it, a murmur of voices and laughter, and, through the chinks + in the broken flags, he perceived a few faint rays of light. Remembering + the directions of La Masque, and feeling intensely curious, he cautiously + knelt down, and examined the loose flagstones until he found one he could + raise; he pushed it partly aside, and, lying flat on the stones, with his + face to the aperture, Sir Norman beheld a most wonderful sight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. LA MASQUE + </h2> + <p> + “Love is like a dizziness,” says the old song. Love is something else—it + is the most selfish feeling in existence. Of course, I don't allude to the + fraternal or the friendly, or any other such nonsensical old-fashioned + trash that artless people still believe in, but to the real genuine + article that Adam felt for Eve when he first saw her, and which all who + read this—above the innocent and unsusceptible age of twelve—have + experienced. And the fancy and the reality are so much alike, that they + amount to about the same thing. The former perhaps, may be a little + short-lived; but it is just as disagreeable a sensation while it lasts as + its more enduring sister. Love is said to be blind, and it also has a very + injurious effect on the eyesight of its victims—an effect that + neither spectacles nor oculists can aid in the slightest degree, making + them see whether sleeping or waking, but one object, and that alone. + </p> + <p> + I don't know whether these were Mr. Malcolm or Ormiston's thoughts, as he + leaned against the door-way, and folded his arms across his chest to await + the shining of his day-star. In fact, I am pretty sure they were not: + young gentlemen, as a general thing, not being any more given to profound + moralizing in the reign of His Most Gracious Majesty, Charles II., than + they are at the present day; but I do know, that no sooner was his bosom + friend and crony, Sir Norman Kingsley, out of sight, than he forgot him as + totally as if he had never known that distinguished individual. His many + and deep afflictions, his love, his anguish, and his provocations; his + beautiful, tantalizing, and mysterious lady-love; his errand and its + probable consequences, all were forgotten; and Ormiston thought of nothing + or nobody in the world but himself and La Masque. La Masque! La Masque! + that was the theme on which his thoughts rang, with wild variations of + alternate hope and fear, like every other lover since the world began, and + love was first an institution. “As it was in the beginning, is now, and + ever shall be,” truly, truly it is an odd and wonderful thing. And you and + I may thank our stars, dear readers, that we are a great deal too sensible + to wear our hearts in our sleeves for such a bloodthirsty dew to peck at. + Ormiston's flame was longer-lived than Sir Norman's; he had been in love a + whole month, and had it badly, and was now at the very crisis of a malady. + Why did she conceal her face—would she ever disclose it—would + she listen to him—would she ever love him? feverishly asked Passion; + and Common Sense (or what little of that useful commodity he had left) + answered—probably because she was eccentric—possibly she would + disclose it for the same reason; that he had only to try and make her + listen; and as to her loving him, why, Common Sense owned he had her + there. + </p> + <p> + I can't say whether the adage! “Faint heart never won fair lady!” was + extant in his time; but the spirit of it certainly was, and Ormiston + determined to prove it. He wanted to see La Masque, and try his fate once + again; and see her he would, if he had to stay there as a sort of + ornamental prop to the house for a week. He knew he might as well look for + a needle in a haystack as his whimsical beloved through the streets of + London—dismal and dark now as the streets of Luxor and Tadmor in + Egypt; and he wisely resolved to spare himself and his Spanish leathers + boots the trial of a one-handed game of “hide-and-go-to-seek.” Wisdom, + like Virtue, is its own reward; and scarcely had he come to this laudable + conclusion, when, by the feeble glimmer of the house-lamps, he saw a + figure that made his heart bound, flitting through the night-gloom toward + him. He would have known that figure on the sands of Sahara, in an Indian + jungle, or an American forest—a tall, slight, supple figure, bending + and springing like a bow of steel, queenly and regal as that of a young + empress. It was draped in a long cloak reaching to the ground, in color as + black as the night, and clasped by a jewel whose glittering flash, he saw + even there; a velvet hood of the same color covered the stately head; and + the mask—the tiresome, inevitable mask covered the beautiful—he + was positive it was beautiful—face. He had seen her a score of times + in that very dress, flitting like a dark, graceful ghost through the city + streets, and the sight sent his heart plunging against his side like an + inward sledge-hammer. Would one pulse in her heart stir ever so faintly at + sight of him? Just as he asked himself the question, and was stepping + forward to meet her, feeling very like the country swain in love—“hot + and dry like, with a pain in his side like”—he suddenly stopped. + Another figure came forth from the shadow of an opposite house, and softly + pronounced her name. It was a short figure—a woman's figure. He + could not see the face, and that was an immense relief to him, and + prevented his having jealousy added to his other pains and tribulations. + La Masque paused as well as he, and her soft voice softly asked: + </p> + <p> + “Who calls?” + </p> + <p> + “It is I, madame—Prudence.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I am glad to meet you. I have been searching the city through for + you. Where have you been?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I was so frightened that I don't know where I fled to, and I + could scarcely make up my mind to come back at all. I did feel dreadfully + sorry for her, poor thing! but you know, Madame Masque, I could do nothing + for her, and I should not have come back, only I was afraid of you.” + </p> + <p> + “You did wrong, Prudence,” said La Masque, sternly, or at least as sternly + as so sweet a voice could speak; “you did very wrong to leave her in such + a way. You should have come to me at once, and told me all.” + </p> + <p> + “But, madame, I was so frightened!” + </p> + <p> + “Bah! You are nothing but a coward. Come into this doorway, and tell me + all about it.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston drew back as the twain approached, and entered the deep portals + of La Masque's own doorway. He could see them both by the aforesaid faint + lamplight, and he noticed that La Masque's companion was a wrinkled old + woman, that would not trouble the peace of mind of the most jealous lover + in Christendom. Perhaps it was not just the thing to hover aloof and + listen; but he could not for the life of him help it; and stand and listen + he accordingly did. Who knew but this nocturnal conversation might throw + some light on the dark mystery he was anxious to see through, and, could + his ears have run into needle-points to hear the better, he would have had + the operation then and there performed. There was a moment's silence after + the two entered the portal, during which La Masque stood, tall, dark, and + commanding, motionless as a marble column; and the little withered old + specimen of humanity beside her stood gazing up at her with something + between fear and fascination. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what has become of your charge, Prudence?” asked the low, + vibrating voice of La Masque, at last. + </p> + <p> + “How could I, madame? You know I fled from the house, and I dared not go + back. Perhaps she is there still.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps she is not? Do you suppose that sharp shriek of yours was + unheard? No; she was found; and what do you suppose has become of her?” + </p> + <p> + The old woman looked up, and seemed to read in the dark, stern figure, and + the deep solemn voice, the fatal truth. She wrung her hands with a sort of + cry. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I know, I know; they have put her in the dead-cart, and buried her in + the plague-pit. O my dear, sweet young mistress.” + </p> + <p> + “If you had stayed by your dear, sweet young mistress, instead of running + screaming away as you did, it might not have happened,” said La Masque, in + a tone between derision and contempt. + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” sobbed the old woman, who was crying, “she was dying of the + plague, and how could I help it? They would have buried her in spite of + me.” + </p> + <p> + “She was not dead; there was your mistake. She was as much alive as you or + I at this moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I left her dead!” said the old woman positively. + </p> + <p> + “Prudence, you did no such thing; you left her fainting, and in that state + she was found and carried to the plague-pit.” + </p> + <p> + The old woman stood silent for a moment, with a face of intense horror, + and then she clasped both hands with a wild cry. + </p> + <p> + “O my God! And they buried her alive—buried her alive in that + dreadful plague-pit!” + </p> + <p> + La Masque, leaning against a pillar, stood unmoved; and her voice, when + she spoke, was as coldly sweet as modern ice-cream. + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly. She was not buried at all, as I happen to know. But when did + you discover that she had the plague, and how could she possibly have + caught it?” + </p> + <p> + “That I do not know, madam. She seemed well enough all day, though not in + such high spirits as a bride should be. Toward evening she complained of a + headache and a feeling of faintness; but I thought nothing of it, and + helped her to dress for the bridal. Before it was over, the headache and + faintness grew worse, and I gave her wine, and still suspected nothing. + The last time I came in, she had grown so much worse, that notwithstanding + her wedding dress, she had lain down on her bed, looking for all the world + like a ghost, and told me she had the most dreadful burning pain in her + chest. Then, madame, the horrid truth struck me—I tore down her + dress, and there, sure enough, was the awful mark of the distemper. `You + have the plague!' I shrieked; and then I fled down stairs and out of the + house, like one crazy. O madame, madame! I shall never forget it—it + was terrible! I shall never forget it! Poor, poor child; and the count + does not know a word of it!” + </p> + <p> + La Masque laughed—a sweet, clear, deriding laugh, “So the count does + not know it, Prudence? Poor man! he will be in despair when he finds it + out, won't he? Such an ardent and devoted lover as he was you know!” + </p> + <p> + Prudence looked up a little puzzled. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame, I think so. He seemed very fond of her; a great deal fonder + than she ever was of him. The fact is, madame,” said Prudence, lowering + her voice to a confidential stage whisper, “she never seemed fond of him + at all, and wouldn't have been married, I think, if she could have helped + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Could have helped it? What do you mean, Prudence? Nobody made her, did + they?” + </p> + <p> + Prudence fidgeted, and looked rather uneasy. + </p> + <p> + “Why, madame, she was not exactly forced, perhaps; but you know—you + know you told me—” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” said La Masque, coldly. + </p> + <p> + “To do what I could,” cried Prudence, in a sort of desperation; “and I did + it, madame, and harassed her about it night and day. And then the count + was there, too, coaxing and entreating; and he was handsome and had such + ways with him that no woman could resist, much less one so little used to + gentlemen as Leoline. And so, Madame Masque, we kept at her till we got + her to consent to it at last; but in her secret heart, I know she did not + want to be married—at least to the count,” said Prudence, on serious + afterthought. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well; that has nothing to do with it. The question is, where is she + to be found?” + </p> + <p> + “Found!” echoed Prudence; “has she then been lost?” + </p> + <p> + “Of coarse she has, you old simpleton! How could she help it, and she + dead, with no one to look after her?” said La Masque, with something like + a half laugh. “She was carried to the plague-pit in her bridal-robes, + jewels and lace; and, when about to be thrown in, was discovered, like + Moses is the bulrushes, to be all alive.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” whispered Prudence, breathlessly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, O most courageous of guardians! she was carried to a certain house, + and left to her own devices, while her gallant rescuer went for a doctor; + and when they returned she was missing. Our pretty Leoline seems to have a + strong fancy for getting lost!” + </p> + <p> + There was a pause, during which Prudence looked at her with a face full of + mingled fear and curiosity. At last: + </p> + <p> + “Madame, how do you know all this? Were you there?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Not I, indeed! What would take me there?” + </p> + <p> + “Then how do you happen to know everything about it?” + </p> + <p> + La Masque laughed. + </p> + <p> + “A little bird told me, Prudence! Have you returned to resume your old + duties?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I dare not go into that house again. I am afraid of taking the + plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Prudence, you are a perfect idiot! Are you not liable to take the plague + in the remotest quarter of this plague-infested city? And even if you do + take it, what odds? You have only a few years to live, at the most, and + what matter whether you die now or at the end of a year or two?” + </p> + <p> + “What matter?” repeated Prudence, in a high key of indignant amazement. + “It may make no matter to you, Madame Masque, but it makes a great deal to + me; I can tell you; and into that infected house I'll not put one foot.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as you please, only in that case there is no need for further talk, + so allow me to bid you good-night!” + </p> + <p> + “But, madame, what of Leoline? Do stop one moment and tell me of her.” + </p> + <p> + “What have I to tell? I have told you all I know. If you want to find her, + you must search in the city or in the pest-house!” + </p> + <p> + Prudence shuddered, and covered her face with her hands. + </p> + <p> + “O, my poor darling! so good and so beautiful. Heaven might surely have + spared her! Are you going to do nothing farther about it?” + </p> + <p> + “What can I do? I have searched for her and have not found her, and what + else remains?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you know everything—surely, surely you know where my poor + little nursling is, among the rest.” + </p> + <p> + Again La Masque laughed—another of her low, sweet, derisive laughs. + </p> + <p> + “No such thing, Prudence. If I did, I should have her here in a twinkling, + depend upon—it. However, it all comes to the same thing in the end. + She is probably dead by this time, and would have to be buried in the + plague-pit, anyhow. If you have nothing further to say, Prudence, you had + better bid me good-night, and let me go.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, madame!” said Prudence, with a sort of groan, as she wrapped + her cloak closely around her, and turned to go. + </p> + <p> + La Masque stood for a moment looking after her, and then placed a key in + the lock of the door. But there is many a slip—she was not fated to + enter as soon as she thought; for just at that moment a new step sounded + beside her, a new voice pronounced her name, and looking around, she + beheld Ormiston. With what feelings that young person had listened to the + neat and appropriate dialogue I have just had the pleasure of + immortalizing, may be—to use a phrase you may have heard before, + once or twice—better imagined than described. He knew very well who + Leoline was, and how she had been saved from the plague-pit; but where in + the world had La Masque found it out. Lost in a maze of wonder, and + inclined to doubt the evidence of his own ears, he had stood perfectly + still, until his ladylove had so coolly dismissed her company, and then + rousing himself just in time, he had come forward and accosted her. La + Masque turned round, regarded him in silence for a moment, and when she + spoke, her voice had an accent of mingled surprise and displeasure. + </p> + <p> + “You, Mr. Ormiston! How many more times am I to have the pleasure of + seeing you again to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, madame; it is the last time. But you must hear me now.” + </p> + <p> + “Must I? Very well, then; if I must, you had better begin at once, for the + night-air is said to be unhealthy, and as good people are scarce, I want + to take care of myself.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, perhaps you had better let me enter, too. I hate to talk on + the street, for every wall has ears.” + </p> + <p> + “I am aware of that. When I was talking to my old friend, Prudence, two + minutes ago, I saw a tall shape that I have reason to know, since it + haunts me, like my own shadow, standing there and paying deed attention. I + hope you found our conversation interesting, Mr. Ormiston!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame!” began Ormiston, turning crimson. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't blush; there is quite light enough from yonder lamp to show + that. Besides,” added the lady, easily, “I don't know as I had any + objection; you are interested in Leoline, and must feel curious to know + something about her.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, what must you think of me? I have acted unpardonably.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know all that. There is no need to apologize, and I don't think any + the worse of you for it. Will you come to business, Mr. Ormiston? I think + I told you I wanted to go in. What may you want of me at this dismal + hour?” + </p> + <p> + “O madame, need you ask! Does not your own heart tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not aware that it does! And to tell you the truth, Mr. Ormiston, I + don't know that I even have a heart! I am afraid I must trouble you to put + it in words.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, madame, I love you!” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all? If my memory serves me, you have told me that little fact + several times before. Is there anything else tormenting you, or may I go + in?” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston groaned out an oath between his teeth, and La Masque raised one + jeweled, snowy taper finger, reprovingly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't Mr. Ormiston—it's naughty, you know! May I go in?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you are enough to drive a man mad. Is the love I bear you worthy + of nothing but mockery!” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Ormiston, it is not; that is, supposing you really love me, which + you don't.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you needn't flash and look indignant; it is quite true! Don't be + absurd, Mr. Ormiston. How is it possible for you to love one you have + never seen?” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen you. Do you think I am blind?” he demanded, indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “My face, I mean. I don't consider that you can see a person without + looking in her face. Now you have never looked in mine, and how do you + know I have any face at all?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you mock me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. How are you to know what is behind this mask?” + </p> + <p> + “I feel it, and that is better; and I love you all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ormiston, how do you know but I am ugly.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I do not believe you are; you are all too perfect not to have a + perfect face; and even were it otherwise, I still love you!” + </p> + <p> + She broke into a laugh—one of her low, short, deriding laughs. + </p> + <p> + “You do! O man, how wise thou art! I tell you, if I took off this mask, + the sight would curdle the very blood in your veins with horror—would + freeze the lifeblood in your heart. I tell you!” she passionately cried, + “there are sights too horrible for human beings to look on and live, and + this—this is one of them!” + </p> + <p> + He started back, and stared at her aghast. + </p> + <p> + “You think me mad,” she said, in a less fierce tone, “but I am not; and I + repeat it, Mr. Ormiston, the sight of what this mask conceals would blast + you. Go now, for Heaven's sake, and leave me in peace, to drag out the + rest of my miserable life; and if ever you think of me, let it be to pray + that it might speedily end. You have forced me to say this: so now be + content. Be merciful, and go!” + </p> + <p> + She made a desperate gesture, and turned to leave him, but he caught her + hand and held her fast. + </p> + <p> + “Never!” he cried, fiercely. “Say what you will! let that mask hide what + it may! I will never leave you till life leaves me!” + </p> + <p> + “Man, you are mad! Release my hand and let me go!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, hear me. There is but one way to prove my love, and my sanity, + and that is—” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” she said, almost touched by his earnestness. + </p> + <p> + “Raise your mask and try me! Show me your face and see if I do not love + you still!” + </p> + <p> + “Truly I know how much love you will have for me when it is revealed. Do + you know that no one has looked in my face for the last eight years.” + </p> + <p> + He stood and gazed at her in wonder. + </p> + <p> + “It is so, Mr. Ormiston; and in my heart I have vowed a vow to plunge + headlong into the most loathsome plague-pit in London, rather than ever + raise it again. My friend, be satisfied. Go and leave me; go and forget + me.” + </p> + <p> + “I can do neither until I have ceased to forget every thing earthly. + Madame, I implore you, hear me!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ormiston, I tell you, you but court your own doom. No one can look on + me and live!” + </p> + <p> + “I will risk it,” he said with an incredulous smile. “Only promise to show + me your face.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so then!” she cried almost fiercely. “I promise, and be the + consequences on your own head.” + </p> + <p> + His whole face flushed with joy. + </p> + <p> + “I accept them. And when is that happy time to come?” + </p> + <p> + “Who knows! What must be done, had best be done quickly; but I tell thee + it were safer to play with the lightning's chain than tamper with what + thou art about to do.” + </p> + <p> + “I take the risk! Will you raise your mask now?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no—I cannot! But yet, I may before the sun rises. My face”—with + bitter scorn—“shows better by darkness than by daylight. Will you be + out to see, the grand illumination.” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Then meet me here an hour after midnight, and the face so long hidden + shall be revealed. But, once again, on the threshold of doom, I entreat + you to pause.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no such word for me!” he fiercely and exultingly cried. “I have + your promise, and I shall hold you to it! And, madame, if, at last, you + discover my love is changeless as fate itself, then—then may I not + dare to hope for a return?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; then you may hope,” she said, with cold mockery. “If your love + survives the sight, it will be mighty, indeed, and well worthy a return.” + </p> + <p> + “And you will return it?” + </p> + <p> + “I will.” + </p> + <p> + “You will be my wife?” + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart!” + </p> + <p> + “My darling!” he cried, rapturously—“for you are mine already—how + can I ever thank you for this? If a whole lifetime devoted and consecrated + to your happiness can repay you, it shall be yours!” + </p> + <p> + During this rhapsody, her hand had been on the handle of the door. Now she + turned it. + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, Mr. Ormiston,” she said, and vanished. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE EARL'S BARGE. + </h2> + <p> + Shocks of joy, they tell me, seldom kill. Of my own knowledge I cannot + say, for I have had precious little experience of such shocks in my + lifetime, Heaven knows; but in the present instance, I can safely aver, + they had no such dismal effect on Ormiston. Nothing earthly could have + given that young gentleman a greater shock of joy than the knowledge he + was to behold the long hidden face of his idol. That that face was ugly, + he did not for an instant believe, or, at least, it never would be ugly to + him. With a form so perfect—a form a sylph might have envied—a + voice sweeter than the Singing Fountain of Arabia, hands and feet the most + perfectly beautiful the sun ever shone on, it was simply a moral and + physical impossibility that they could be joined to a repulsive face. + There was a remote possibility that it was a little less exquisite than + those ravishing items, and that her morbid fancy made her imagine it + homely, compared with them, but he knew he never would share in that + opinion. It was the reasoning of love, rather than logic; for when love + glides smiling in at the door, reason stalks gravely, not to say sulkily, + out of the window, and, standing afar off, eyes disdainfully the didos and + antics of her late tenement. There was very little reason, therefore, in + Ormiston's head and heart, but a great deal of something sweeter, joy—joy + that thrilled and vibrated through every nerve within him. Leaning against + the portal, in an absurd delirium of delight—for it takes but a + trifle to jerk those lovers from the slimiest depths of the Slough of + Despond to the topmost peak of the mountain of ecstasy—he uncovered + his head that the night-air might cool its feverish throbbings. But the + night-air was as hot as his heart; and, almost suffocated by the sultry + closeness, he was about to start for a plunge in the river, when the sound + of coming footsteps and voices arrested him. He had met with so many odd + ad ventures to-night that he stopped now to see who was coming; for on + every hand all was silent and forsaken. + </p> + <p> + Footsteps and voices came closer; two figures took shape in the gloom, and + emerged from the darkness into the glimmering lamp light. He recognised + them both. One was the Earl of Rochester; the other, his dark-eyed, + handsome page—that strange page with the face of the lost lady! The + earl was chatting familiarly, and laughing obstreperously at something or + other, while the boy merely wore a languid smile, as if anything further + in that line were quite beneath his dignity. + </p> + <p> + “Silence and solitude,” said the earl, with a careless glance around, “I + protest, Hubert, this night seems endless. How long is it till midnight?” + </p> + <p> + “An hour and a half at least, I should fancy,” answered the boy, with a + strong foreign accent. “I know it struck ten as we passed St. Paul's.” + </p> + <p> + “This grand bonfire of our most worshipful Lord Mayor will be a sight + worth seeing,” remarked the earl. “When all these piles are lighted, the + city will be one sea of fire.” + </p> + <p> + “A slight foretaste of what most of its inhabitants will behold in another + world,” said the page, with a French shrug. “I have heard Lilly's + prediction that London is to be purified by fire, like a second Sodom; + perhaps it is to be verified to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Not unlikely; the dome of St. Paul's would be an excellent place to view + the conflagration.” + </p> + <p> + “The river will do almost as well, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “We will have a chance of knowing that presently,” said the earl, as he + and his page descended to the river, where the little gilded barge lay + moored, and the boatman waiting. + </p> + <p> + As they passed from sight Ormiston came forth, and watched thoughtfully + after them. The face and figure were that of the lady, but the voice was + different; both were clear and musical enough, but she spoke English with + the purest accent, while his was the voice of a foreigner. It most have + been one of those strange, unaccountable likenesses we sometimes see among + perfect strangers, but the resemblance in this ease was something + wonderful. It brought his thoughts back from himself and his own fortunate + love, to his violently-smitten friend, Sir Norman, and his plague-stricken + beloved; and he began speculating what he could possibly be about just + then, or what he had discovered in the old ruin. Suddenly he was aroused; + a moment before, the silence had been almost oppressive but now on the + wings of the night, there came a shout. A tumult of voices and footsteps + were approaching. + </p> + <p> + “Stop her! Stop her!” was cried by many voices; and the next instant a + fleet figure went flying past him with a rush, and plunged head foremost + into she river. + </p> + <p> + A slight female figure, with floating robes of white, waving hair of + deepest, blackness, with a sparkle of jewels on neck and arms. Only for an + instant did he see it; but he knew it well, and his very heart stood + still. “Stop her! stop her! she is ill of the plague!” shouted the crowd, + preying panting on; but they came too late; the white vision had gone down + into the black, sluggish river, and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it? What is it? Where is it?” cried two or three watchmen, + brandishing their halberds, and rushing up; and the crowd—a small mob of a + dozen or so—answered all at once: “She is delirious with the plague; she + was running through the streets; we gave chase, but she out-stepped us, + and is now at the bottom of the Thames.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston, waited to hear no more, but rushed precipitately down to the + waters edge. The alarm has now reached the boats on the river, and many + eyes within them were turned in the direction whence she had gone down. + Soon she reappeared on the dark surface—something whiter than snow, + whiter than death; shining like silver, shone the glittering dress and + marble face of the bride. A small batteau lay close to where Ormiston + stood; in two seconds he had sprang in, shoved it off, and was rowing + vigorously toward that snow wreath in the inky river. But he was + forestalled, two hands white and jeweled as her own, reached over the edge + of a gilded barge, and, with the help of the boatmen, lifted her in. + Before she could be properly established on the cushioned seats, the + batteau was alongside, and Ormiston turned a very white and excited face + toward the Earl of Rochester. + </p> + <p> + “I know that lady, my lord! She is a friend of mine, and you must give her + to me!” + </p> + <p> + “Is it you, Ormiston? Why what brings you here alone on the river, at this + hour?” + </p> + <p> + “I have come for her,” said Ormiston, pressing over to lift the lady. “May + I beg you to assist me, my lord, in transferring her to my boat?” + </p> + <p> + “You must wait till I see her first,” said Rochester, partly raising her + head, and holding a lamp close to her face, “as I have picked her out, I + think I deserve it. Heavens! what an extraordinary likeness!” + </p> + <p> + The earl had glanced at the lady, then at his page, again at the lady, and + lastly at Ormiston, his handsome countenance full of the most unmitigated + wonder. “To whom?” asked Ormiston, who had very little need to inquire. + </p> + <p> + “To Hubert, yonder. Why, don't you see it yourself? She might be his + twin-sister!” + </p> + <p> + “She might be, but as she is not, you will have the goodness to let me + take charge of her. She has escaped from her friends, and I must bring her + back to them.” + </p> + <p> + He half lifted her as he spoke; and the boatman, glad enough to get rid of + one sick of the plague, helped her into the batteau. The lady was not + insensible, as might be supposed, after her cold bath, but extremely + wide-awake, and gazing around her with her great, black, shining eyes. But + she made no resistance; either she was too faint or frightened for that, + and suffered herself to be hoisted about, “passive to all changes.” + Ormiston spread his cloak in the stern of the boat, and laid her tenderly + upon it, and though the beautiful, wistful eyes were solemnly and + unwinkingly fixed on his face, the pale, sweet lips parted not—uttered + never a word. The wet bridal robes were drenched and dripping about her, + the long dark hair hung in saturated masses over her neck and arms, and + contrasted vividly with a face, Ormiston thought at once, the whitest, + most beautiful, and most stonelike he had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, my man; thank you, my lord,” said Ormiston, preparing to push + off. + </p> + <p> + Rochester, who had been leaning from the barge, gazing in mingled + curiosity, wonder, and admiration at the lovely face, turned now to her + champion. + </p> + <p> + “Who is she, Ormiston?” he said, persuasively. + </p> + <p> + But Ormiston only laughed, and rowed energetically for the shore. The + crowd was still lingering; and half a dozen hands were extended to draw + the boat up to the landing. He lifted the light form in his arms and bore + it from the boat; but before he could proceed farther with his armful of + beauty, a faint but imperious voice spoke: “Please put me down. I am not a + baby, and can walk myself.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston was so surprised, or rather dismayed, by this unexpected address, + that he complied at once, and placed her on her own pretty feet. But the + young lady's sense of propriety was a good deal stronger than her physical + powers; and she swayed and tottered, and had to cling to her unknown + friend for support. + </p> + <p> + “You are scarcely strong enough, I am afraid, dear lady,” he said, kindly. + “You had better let me carry you. I assure you I am quite equal to it, or + even a more weighty burden, if necessity required.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” said the faint voice, faintly; “but I would rather walk. + Where are you taking me to?” + </p> + <p> + “To your own house, if you wish—it is quite close at hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Yes. Let us go there! Prudence is there, and she will take care of + me.”. + </p> + <p> + “Will she?” said Ormiston, doubtfully. “I hope you do not suffer much + pain!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not suffer at all,” she said, wearily; “only I am so tired. Oh, I + wish I were home!” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston half led, half lifted her up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “You are almost there, dear lady—see, it is close at hand!” + </p> + <p> + She half lifted her languid eyes, but did not speak. Leaning panting on + his arm, he drew her gently on until they reached her door. It was still + unfastened. Prudence had kept her word, and not gone near it; and he + opened it, and helped her in. + </p> + <p> + “Where now?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Up stairs,” she said, feebly. “I want to go to my own room.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston knew where that was, and assisted her there as tenderly as he + could have done La Masque herself. He paused on the threshold; for the + room was dark. + </p> + <p> + “There is a lamp and a tinder-box on the mantel,” said the faint, sweet + voice, “if you will only please to find them.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston crowed the room—fortunately he knew the latitude of the + place —and moving his hand with gingerly precaution along the + mantel-shelf, lest he should upset any of the gimcracks thereon, soon + obtained the articles named, and struck a light. The lady was leaning + wearily against the door-post, but now she came forward, and dropped + exhausted into the downy pillows of a lounge. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything I can do for you, madame?” began Ormiston, with as + solicitous an air as though he had been her father. “A glass of wine would + be of use to you, I think, and then, if you wish, I will go for a doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind. You will find wine and glasses in the room opposite + this, and I feel so faint that I think you had better bring me some.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston moved across the passage, like the good, obedient young man that + he was, filled a glass of Burgundy, and as he was returning with it, was + startled by a cry from the lady that nearly made him drop and shiver it on + the floor. + </p> + <p> + “What under heaven has come to her now?” he thought, hastening in, + wondering how she could possibly have come to grief since he left her. + </p> + <p> + She was sitting upright on the sofa, her dress palled down off her + shoulder where the plague-spot had been, and which, to his amazement, he + saw now pure and stainless, and free from every loathsome trace. + </p> + <p> + “You are cured of the plague!” was all he could say. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God!” she exclaimed, fervently clasping her hands. “But oh! how can + it have happened? It must be a miracle!” + </p> + <p> + “No, it was your plunge into the river; I have heard of one or two such + cases before, and if ever I take it,” said Ormiston, half laughing, half + shuddering, “my first rush shall be for old Father Thames. Here, drink + this, I am certain it will complete the cure.” + </p> + <p> + The girl—she was nothing but a girl—drank it off and sat + upright like one inspired with new life. As she set down the glass, she + lifted her dark, solemn, beautiful eyes to his face with a long, searching + gaze. + </p> + <p> + “What is your name?” she simply asked. + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston, madame,” he said, bowing low. + </p> + <p> + “You have saved my life, have you not?” + </p> + <p> + “It was the Earl of Rochester who reserved you from the river; but I would + have done it a moment later.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not mean that. I mean”—with a slight shudder—“are you + not one of those I saw at the plague-pit? Oh! that dreadful, dreadful + plague-pit!” she cried, covering her face with her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I am one of those.” + </p> + <p> + “And who was the other?” + </p> + <p> + “My friend, Sir Norman Kingsley. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley?” she softly repeated, with a sort of recognition in + her voice and eyes, while a faint roseate glow rose softly over her face + and neck. “Ah! I thought—was it to his house or yours I was + brought?” + </p> + <p> + “To his,” replied Ormiston, looking at her curiously; for he had seen that + rosy glow, and was extremely puzzled thereby; “from whence, allow me to + add, you took your departure rather unceremoniously.” + </p> + <p> + “Did I?” she said, in a bewildered sort of way. “It is all like a dream to + me. I remember Prudence screaming, and telling me I had the plague, and + the unutterable horror that filled me when I heard it; and then the next + thing I recollect is, being at the plague-pit, and seeing your face and + his bending over me. All the horror came back with that awakening, and + between it and anguish of the plague-sore I think I fainted again.” + (Ormiston nodded sagaciously), “and when I next recovered I was alone in a + strange room, and in bed. I noticed that, though I think I must have been + delirious. And then, half-mad with agony, I got out to the street, somehow + and ran, and ran, and ran, until the people saw and followed me here. I + suppose I had some idea of reaching home when I came here; but the crowd + pressed so close behind, and I felt though all my delirium, that they + would bring me to the pest-house if they caught me, and drowning seemed to + me preferable to that. So I was in the river before I knew it—and + you know the rest as well as I do. But I owe you my life, Mr. Ormiston—owe + it to you and another; and I thank you both with all my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you are too grateful; and I don't know as we have done anything + much to deserve it.” + </p> + <p> + “You have saved my life; and though you may think that a valueless trifle, + not worth speaking of, I assure you I view it in a very different light,” + she said, with a half smile. + </p> + <p> + “Lady, your life is invaluable; but as to our saving it, why, you would + not have us throw you alive into the plague-pit, would you?” + </p> + <p> + “It would have been rather barbarous, I confess, but there are few who + would risk infection for the sake of a mere stranger. Instead of doing as + you did, you might have sent me to the pest-house, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, as to that, all your gratitude is due to Sir Norman. He managed the + whole affair, and what is more, fell—but I will leave that for + himself to disclose. Meantime, may I ask the name of the lady I have been + so fortunate as to serve!” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly, sir—my name is Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “Leoline is only half a name.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am so unfortunate an only to possess half a name, for I never had + any other.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston opened his eyes very wide indeed. + </p> + <p> + “No other! you must have had a father some time in your life; most people + have,” said the young gentleman, reflectively. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head a little sadly. + </p> + <p> + “I never had, that I know of, either father or mother, or any one but + Prudence. And by the way,” she said, half starting up, “the first thing to + be done is, to see about this same Prudence. She must be somewhere in the + house.” + </p> + <p> + “Prudence is nowhere in the house,” said Ormiston, quietly; “and will not + be, she says, far a month to come. She is afraid of the plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she?” said Leoline, fixing her eyes on him with a powerful glance. + “How do you know that?” + </p> + <p> + “I heard her say so not half an hour ago, to a lady a few doors distant. + Perhaps you know her—La Masque.” + </p> + <p> + “That singular being! I don't know her; but I have seen her often. Why was + Prudence talking of me to her, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “That I do not know; but talking of you the was, and she said she was + coming back here no more. Perhaps you will be afraid to stay here alone?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, I am used to being alone,” she said, with a little sigh, “but + where”—hesitating and blushing vividly, “where is—I mean, I + should like to thank sir Norman Kingsley.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston saw the blush and the eyes that dropped, and it puzzled him again + beyond measure. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know Sir Norman Kingsley?” he suspiciously asked. + </p> + <p> + “By sight I know many of the nobles of the court,” she answered evasively, + and without looking up: “they pass here often, and Prudence knows them + all; and so I have learned to distinguish them by name and sight, your + friend among the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “And you would like to see my friend?” he said, with malicious emphasis. + </p> + <p> + “I would like to thank him,” retorted the lady, with some asperity: “you + have told me how much I owe him, and it strikes me the desire is somewhat + natural.” + </p> + <p> + “Without doubt it is, and it will save Sir Norman much fruitless labor; + for even now he is in search of you, and will neither rest nor sleep until + he finds you.” + </p> + <p> + “In search of me!” she said softly, and with that rosy glow again + illumining her beautiful face; “he is indeed kind, and I am most anxious + to thank him.” + </p> + <p> + “I will bring him here in two hours, then,” said Ormiston, with energy; + “and though the hour may be a little unseasonable, I hope you will not + object to it; for if you do, he will certainly not survive until morning.” + </p> + <p> + She gayly laughed, but her cheek was scarlet. + </p> + <p> + “Rather than that, Mr. Ormiston, I will even see him tonight. You will + find me here when you come.” + </p> + <p> + “You will not run away again, will you?” said Ormiston, looking at her + doubtfully. “Excuse me; but you have a trick of doing that, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Again she laughed merrily. + </p> + <p> + “I think you may safely trust me this time. Are you going?” + </p> + <p> + By way of reply, Ormiston took his hat and started for the door. There he + paused, with his hand upon it. + </p> + <p> + “How long have you known Sir Norman Kingsley?” was his careless, artful + question. + </p> + <p> + But Leoline, tapping one little foot on the floor, and looking down at it + with hot cheeks and humid ayes, answered not a word. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN. + </h2> + <p> + When Sir Norman Kingsley entered the ancient ruin, his head was full of + Leoline—when he knelt down to look through the aperture in the + flagged floor, head and heart were full of her still. But the moment his + eyes fell on the scene beneath, everything fled far from his thoughts, + Leoline among the rest; and nothing remained but a profound and absorbing + feeling of intensest amaze. + </p> + <p> + Right below him he beheld an immense room, of which the flag he had raised + seemed to form part of the ceiling, in a remote corner. Evidently it was + one of a range of lower vaults, and as he was at least fourteen feet above + it, and his corner somewhat in shadow, there was little danger of his + being seen. So, leaning far down to look at his leisure, he took the goods + the gods provided him, and stared to his heart's content. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman had seen some queer sights during the four-and-twenty years he + had spent in this queer world, but never anything quite equal to this. The + apartment below, though so exceedingly large, was lighted with the + brilliance of noon-day; and every object it contained; from one end to the + other, was distinctly revealed. The floor, from glimpses he had of it in + obscure corners, was of stone; but from end to end it was covered with + richest rugs and mats, and squares of velvet of as many colors as Joseph's + coat. The walls were hung with splendid tapestry, gorgeous in silk and + coloring, representing the wars of Troy, the exploits of Coeur de Lion + among the Saracens, the death of Hercules, all on one side; and on the + other, a more modern representation, the Field of the Cloth of Gold. The + illumination proceeded from a range of wax tapers in silver candelabra, + that encircled the whole room. The air was redolent of perfumes, and + filled with strains of softest and sweetest music from unseen hands. At + one extremity of the room was a huge door of glass and gilding; and + opposite it, at the other extremity, was a glittering throne. It stood on + a raised dais, covered with crimson velvet, reached by two or three steps + carpeted with the same; the throne was as magnificent as gold, and satin, + and ornamentation could make it. A great velvet canopy of the same deep, + rich color, cut in antique points, and heavily hung with gold fringe, was + above the seat of honor. Beside it, to the right, but a little lower down, + was a similar throne, somewhat less superb, and minus a canopy. From the + door to the throne was a long strip of crimson velvet, edged and + embroidered with gold, and arranged in a sweeping semi-circle, on either + side, were a row of great carved, gilded, and cushioned chairs, brilliant, + too, with crimson and gold, and each for every-day Christians, a throne in + itself. Between the blaze of illumination, the flashing of gilding and + gold, the tropical flush of crimson velvet, the rainbow dyes on floor and + walls, the intoxicating gushes of perfume, and the delicious strains of + unseen music, it is no wonder Sir Norman Kingsley's head was spinning like + a bewildered teetotum. + </p> + <p> + Was he sane—was he sleeping? Had he drank too much wine at the + Golden Crown, and had it all gone to his head? Was it a scene of earnest + enchantment, or were fairy-tales true? Like Abou Hasson when he awoke in + the palace of the facetious Caliph of Bagdad, he had no notion of + believing his own eyes and ears, and quietly concluded it was all an + optical illusion, as ghosts are said to be; but he quietly resolved to + stay there, nevertheless, and see how the dazzling phantasmagoria would + end. The music was certainly ravishing, and it seemed to him, as he + listened with enchanted ears, that he never wanted to wake up from so + heavenly a dream. + </p> + <p> + One thing struck him as rather odd; strange and bewildered as everything + was, it did not seem at all strange to him, on the contrary, a vague idea + was floating mistily through his mind that he had beheld precisely the + same thing somewhere before. Probably at some past period of his life he + had beheld a similar vision, or had seen a picture somewhere like it in a + tale of magic, and satisfying himself with this conclusion, he began + wondering if the genii of the place were going to make their appearance at + all, or if the knowledge that human eyes were upon them had scared them + back to Erebus. + </p> + <p> + While still ruminating on this important question, a portion of the + tapestry, almost beneath him, shriveled up and up, and out flocked a + glittering throng, with a musical mingling of laughter and voices. Still + they came, more and more, until the great room was almost filled, and a + dazzling throng they were. Sir Norman had mingled in many a brilliant + scene at Whitehall, where the gorgeous court of Charles shone in all its + splendor, with the “merry monarch” at their head, but all he had ever + witnessed at the king's court fell far short of this pageant. Half the + brilliant flock were ladies, superb in satins, silks, velvets and jewels. + And such jewels! every gem that ever flashed back the sunlight sparkled + and blazed in blending array on those beautiful bosoms and arms—diamonds, + pearls, opals, emeralds, rubies, garnets, sapphires, amethysts—every + jewel that ever shone. But neither dresses nor gems were half so superb as + the peerless forms they adorned; and such an army of perfectly beautiful + faces, from purest blonde to brightest brunette, had never met and mingled + together before. + </p> + <p> + Each lovely face was unmasked, but Sir Norman's dazzled eyes in vain + sought among them for one he knew. All that “rosebud garden of girls” were + perfect strangers to him, but not so the gallants, who fluttered among + them like moths around meteors. They, too, were in gorgeous array, in + purple and fine linen, which being interpreted, signifieth in silken hose + of every color under the sun, spangled and embroidered slippers radiant + with diamond buckles, doublets of as many different shades as their + tights, slashed with satin and embroidered with gold. Most of them wore + huge powdered wigs, according to the hideous fashion then in vogue, and + under those same ugly scalps, laughed many a handsome face Sir Norman well + knew. The majority of those richly-robed gallants were strangers to him as + well as the ladies, but whoever they were, whether mortal men or “spirits + from the vasty deep,” they were in the tallest sort of clover just then. + Evidently they knew it, too, and seemed to be on the best of terms with + themselves and all the world, and laughed, and flirted, and flattered, + with as much perfection as so many ball-room Apollos of the present day. + </p> + <p> + Still no one ascended the golden and crimson throne, though many of the + ladies and gentlemen fluttering about it were arrayed as royally as any + common king or queen need wish to be. They promenaded up and down, arm in + arm; they seated themselves in the carved and gilded chairs; they gathered + in little groups to talk and laugh, did everything, in short, but ascend + the throne; and the solitary spectator up above began to grow intensely + curious to know who it was for. Their conversation he could plainly hear, + and to say that it amazed him, would be to use a feeble expression, + altogether inadequate to his feelings. Not that it was the remarks they + made that gave his system each a shook, but the names by which they + addressed each other. One answered to the aspiring cognomen of the Duke of + Northumberland; another was the Earl of Leicester; another, the Duke of + Devonshire; another, the Earl of Clarendon; another, the Duke of + Buckingham; and so on, ad infinitum, dukes and earls alternately, like + bricks and mortar in the wall of a house. There were other dignitaries + besides, some that Sir Norman had a faint recollection of hearing were + dead for some years—Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Thomas More, the Earl of + Bothwell, King Henry Darnley, Sir Walter Raleigh, the Duke of Norfolk, the + Earl of Southampton, the Duke of York, and no end of others with equally + sonorous titles. As for mere lords and baronets, and such small deer, + there was nothing so plebeian present, and they were evidently looked upon + by the distinguished assembly, like small deer in thunder, with pity and + contempt. The ladies, too, were all duchesses, marchionesses, countesses, + and looked fit for princesses, Sir Norman thought, though he heard none of + them styled quite so high as that. The tone of conversation was light and + easy, but at the same time extremely ceremonious and courtly, and all + seemed to be enjoying themselves in the most delightful sort of a way, + which people of, such distinguished rank, I am told, seldom do. All went + merry as a marriage-bell, and sweetly over the gay jingle of voices rose + the sweet, faint strains of the unseen music. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly all was changed. The great door of glass and gilding opposite the + throne was flung wide, and a grand usher in a grand court livery + flourished a mighty grand wand, and shouted, in a stentorian voice, + </p> + <p> + “Back: back, ye lieges, and make way for Her Majesty, Queen Miranda!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the unseen band thundered forth the national anthem. The + splendid throng fell back on either hand in profoundest silence and + expectation. The grand usher mysteriously disappeared, and in his place + there stalked forward a score of soldiers, with clanking swords and fierce + moustaches, in the gorgeous uniform of the king's body-guard. These showy + warriors arranged themselves silently on either side of the crimson + throne, and were followed by half a dozen dazzling personages, the + foremost crowned with mitre, armed with crozier, and robed in the + ecclesiastical glory of an archbishop, but the face underneath, to the + deep surprise and scandal of Sir Norman, was that of the fastest young + roue of Charles court, after him came another pompous dignitary, in such + unheard of magnificence that the unseen looker-on set him down for a prime + minister, or a lord high chancellor, at the very least. The somewhat + gaudy-looking gentlemen who stepped after the pious prelate and peer wore + the stars and garters of foreign courts, and were evidently embassadors + extraordinary to that of her midnight majesty. After them came a snowy + flock of fair young girls, angels all but the wings, slender as sylphs, + and robed in purest white. Each bore on her arm a basket of flowers, roses + and rosebuds of every tint, from snowy white to darkest crimson, and as + they floated in they scattered them lightly as they went. And then after + all came another vision, “the last, the brightest, the best—the + Midnight Queen,” herself. One other figure followed her, and as they + entered, a shout arose from the whole assemblage, “Long live Queen + Miranda!” And bowing gracefully and easily to the right and left, the + queen with a queenly step, trod the long crimson carpet and mounted the + regal throne. + </p> + <p> + From the first moment of his looking down, Sir Norman had been staring + with all the eyes in his head, undergoing one shock of surprise after + another with the equanimity of a man quite new to it; but now a cry arose + to his lips, and died there in voiceless consternation. For he recognized + the queen—well he might!—he had seen her before, and her face + was the face of Leoline! + </p> + <p> + As she mounted the stairs, she stood there for a moment crowned and + sceptred, before sitting down, and in that moment he recognized the whole + scene. That gorgeous room and its gorgeous inmates; that regal throne and + its regal owner, all became palpable as the sun at noonday; that slender, + exquisite figure, robed in royal purple and ermine; the uncovered neck and + arms, snowy and perfect, ablaze with jewels; that lovely face, like snow, + like marble, in its whiteness and calm, with the great, dark, earnest eyes + looking out, and the waving wealth of hair falling around it. It was the + very scene, and room, and vision, that La Masque had shown him in the + caldron, and that face was the face of Leoline, and the earl's page. + </p> + <p> + Could he be dreaming? Was he sane or mad, or were the three really one? + </p> + <p> + While he looked, the beautiful queen bowed low, and amid the profoundest + and most respectful silence, took her seat. In her robes of purple, + wearing the glittering crown, sceptre in hand, throned and canopied, + royally beautiful she looked indeed, and a most vivid contrast to the + gentleman near her, seated very much at his ease, on the lower throne. The + contrast was not of dress—for his outward man was resplendent to + look at; but in figure and face, or grace and dignity, he was a very mean + specimen of the lords of creation, indeed. In stature, he scarcely reached + to the queen's royal shoulder, but made up sideways what he wanted in + length—being the breadth of two common men; his head was in + proportion to his width, and was decorated with a wig of long, flowing, + flaxen hair, that scarcely harmonized with a profusion of the article + whiskers, in hue most unmitigated black; his eyes were small, keen, + bright, and piercing, and glared on the assembled company as they had done + half an hour before on Sir Norman Kingsley, in the bar-room of the Golden + Crown; for the royal little man was no other than Caliban, the dwarf. + Behind the thrones the flock of floral angels grouped themselves; + archbishop, prime minister, and embassadors, took their stand within the + lines of the soldiery, and the music softly and impressively died sway in + the distance; dead silence reigned. + </p> + <p> + “My lord Duke,” began the queen, in the very voice he had heard at the + plague-pit, as she turned to the stylish individual next the archbishop, + “come forward and read us the roll of mortality since our last meeting.” + </p> + <p> + His grace, the duke, instantly stepped forward, bowing so low that nothing + was seen of him for a brief space, but the small of his back, and when he + reared himself up, after this convulsion of nature, Sir Norman beheld a + face not entirely new to him. At first, he could not imagine where he had + seen it, but speedily she recollected it was the identical face of the + highwayman who had beaten an inglorious retreat from him and Count + L'Estrange, that very night. This ducat robber drew forth a roll of + parchment, and began reading, in lachrymose tones, a select litany of + defunct gentlemen, with hifalutin titles who had departed this life during + the present week. Most of them had gone with the plague, but a few had + died from natural causes, and among these were the Earls of Craven and + Ashley. + </p> + <p> + “My lords Craven and Ashley dead!” exclaimed the queen, in tones of some + surprise, but very little anguish; “that is singular, for we saw them not + two hours ago, in excellent health and spirits.” + </p> + <p> + “True, poor majesty,” said the duke, dolefully, “and it is not an hour + since they quitted this vale of tears. They and myself rode forth at + nightfall, according to Custom, to lay your majesty's tax on all + travelers, and soon chanced to encounter one who gave vigorous battle; + still, it would have done him little service, had not another person come + suddenly to his aid, and between them they clove the skulls of Ashley and + Craven; and I,” said the duke, modestly, “I left.” + </p> + <p> + “Were either of the travelers young, and tall, and of courtly bearing?” + exclaimed the dwarf with sharp rudeness. + </p> + <p> + “Both were, your highness,” replied the duke, bowing to the small speaker, + “and uncommonly handy with their weapons.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw one of them down at the Golden Crown, not long ago,” said the + dwarf; “a forward young popinjay, and mighty inquisitive about this, our + royal palace. I promised him, if he came here, a warm reception—a + promise I will have the greatest pleasure in fulfilling.” + </p> + <p> + “You may stand aside, my lord duke,” said the queen, with a graceful wave + of her hand, “and if any new subjects have been added to our court since + our last weekly meeting, let them come forward, and be sworn.” + </p> + <p> + A dozen or more courtiers immediately stepped forward, and kneeling before + the queen, announced their name and rank, which were both ambitiously + high. A few silvery-toned questions were put by that royal lady and + satisfactorily answered, and then the archbishop, armed with a huge tome, + administered a severe and searching oath, which the candidates took with a + great deal of sang froid, and were then permitted to kiss the hand of the + queen—a privilege worth any amount of swearing—and retire. + </p> + <p> + “Let any one who has any reports to make, make them immediately,” again + commanded her majesty. + </p> + <p> + A number of gentlemen of high rank, presented themselves at this summons, + and began relating, as a certain sect of Christians do in church, their + experience! Many of these consisted, to the deep disapproval of Sir + Norman, of accounts of daring highway robberies, one of them perpetrated + on the king himself, which distinguished personage the duplicate of + Leoline styled “our brother Charles,” and of the sums thereby attained. + The treasurer of state was then ordered to show himself, and give an + account of the said moneys, which he promptly did; and after him came a + number of petitioners, praying for one thing and another, some of which + the queen promised to grant, and some she didn't. These little affairs of + state being over, Miranda turned to the little gentleman beside her, with + the observation, + </p> + <p> + “I believe, your highness, it is on this night the Earl of Gloucester is + to be tried on a charge of high treason, is it not?” + </p> + <p> + His highness growled a respectful assent. + </p> + <p> + “Then let him be brought before us,” said the queen. “Go, guards, and + fetch him.” + </p> + <p> + Two of the soldiers bowed low, and backed from the royal presence, amid + dead and ominous silence. At this interesting stage of the proceedings, as + Sir Norman was leaning forward, breathless and excited, a footstep sounded + on the flagged floor beside him, and some one suddenly grasped his + shoulder with no gentle hand. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. LEOLINE. + </h2> + <p> + In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword. In + the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be + made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea + of darkness. Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand + which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and + muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching + himself free from his unseen companion. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it is you, is it? I thought so,” said a not unknown voice. “I have + been calling you till I am hoarse, and at last gave it up, and started + after you in despair. What are you doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “You, Ormiston!” exclaimed Sir Norman, in the last degree astonished. “How—when—what + are you doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing here? that's more to the purpose. Down flat on your + face, with your head stuck through that hole. What is below there, + anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind,” said Sir Norman, hastily, who, for some reason quite + unaccountable to himself, did not wish Ormiston to see. “There's nothing + therein particular, but a lower range of vaults. Do you intend telling me + what has brought you here?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly; the very fleetest horse I could find in the city.” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw! You don't say so?” exclaimed Sir Norman, incredulously. “But I + presume you had some object in taking such a gallop? May I ask what? Your + anxious solicitude on my account, very likely?” + </p> + <p> + “Not precisely. But, I say, Kingsley, what light is that shining through + there? I mean to see.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you won't,” said Sir Norman, rapidly and noiselessly replacing the + flag. “It's nothing, I tell you, but a number of will-o-'wisps having a + ball. Finally, and for the last time, Mr. Ormiston, will you have the + goodness to tell me what has sent you here?” + </p> + <p> + “Come out to the air, then. I have no fancy for talking in this place; it + smells like a tomb.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing wrong, I hope?” inquired Sir Norman, following his + friend, and threading his way gingerly through the piles of rubbish in the + profound darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing wrong, but everything extremely right. Confound this place! It + would be easier walking on live eels than through these winding and + lumbered passages. Thank the fates, we are through them, at last! for + there is the daylight, or, rather the nightlight, and we have escaped + without any bones broken.” + </p> + <p> + They had reached the mouldering and crumbling doorway, shown by a square + of lighter darkness, and exchanged the damp, chill atmosphere of the + vaults for the stagnant, sultry open air. Sir Norman, with a notion in his + head that his dwarfish highness might have placed sentinels around his + royal residence, endeavored to pierce the gloom in search of them. Though + he could discover none, he still thought discretion the better part of + valor, and stepped out into the road. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, where are you going?” inquired Ormiston for, following him. + </p> + <p> + “I don't wish to talk here; there is no telling who may be listening. Come + along.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston glanced back at the gloomy rain looming up like a black spectre + in the blackness. + </p> + <p> + “Well, they must have a strong fancy for eavesdropping, I must say, who + world go to that haunted heap to listen. What have you seen there, and + where have you left your horse?” + </p> + <p> + “I told you before,” said Sir Norman, rather impatiently, “that I have + seen nothing—at least, nothing you would care about; and my horse is + waiting me at the Golden Crown.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, we have no time to lose; so get there as fast as you can, and + mount him and ride as if the demon were after you back to London.” + </p> + <p> + “Back to London? Is the man crazy? I shall do no such thing, let me tell + you, to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, just as you please,” said Ormiston, with a great deal of + indifference, considering the urgent nature of his former request. “You + can do as you like, you know, and so can I—which translated, means, + I will go and tell her you have declined to come.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell her? Tell whom? What are you talking about? Hang it, man!” exclaimed + Sir Norman, getting somewhat excited and profane, “what are you driving + at? Can't you speak out and tell me at once?” + </p> + <p> + “I have told you!” said Ormiston, testily: “and I tell you again, she sent + me in search of you, and if you don't choose to come, that's your own + affair, and not mine.” + </p> + <p> + This was a little too much for Sir Norman's overwrought feelings, and in + the last degree of exasperation, he laid violent hands on the collar of + Ormiston's doublet, and shook him as if he would have shaken the name out + with a jerk. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you what it is, Ormiston, you had better not aggravate me! I can + stand a good deal, but I'm not exactly Moses or Job, and you had better + mind what you're at. If you don't come to the point at once, and tell me + who I she is, I'll throttle you where you stand; and so give you warning.” + </p> + <p> + Half-indignant, and wholly laughing, Ormiston stepped back out of the way + of his excited friend. + </p> + <p> + “I cry you mercy! In one word, then, I have been dispatched by a lady in + search of you, and that lady is—Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + It has always been one of the inscrutable mysteries in natural philosophy + that I never could fathom, why men do not faint. Certain it is, I never + yet heard of a man swooning from excess of surprise or joy, and perhaps + that may account for Sir Norman's not doing so on the present occasion. + But he came to an abrupt stand-still in their rapid career; and if it had + not been quite so excessively dark, his friend would have beheld a + countenance wonderful to look on, in its mixture of utter astonishment and + sublime consternation. + </p> + <p> + “Leoline!” he faintly gasped. “Just stop a moment, Ormiston, and say that + again—will you?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Ormiston, hurrying unconcernedly on; “I shall do no such thing, + for there is no time to lose, and if there were I have no fancy for + standing in this dismal road. Come on, man, and I'll tell you as we go.” + </p> + <p> + Thus abjured, and seeing there was no help for it, Sir Norman, in a dazed + and bewildered state, complied; and Ormiston promptly and briskly relaxed + into business. + </p> + <p> + “You see, my dear fellow, to begin at the beginning, after you left, I + stood at ease at La Masque's door, awaiting that lady's return, and was + presently rewarded by seeing her come up with an old woman called + Prudence. Do you recollect the woman who rushed screaming out of the home + of the dead bride?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that was Prudence. She and La Masque were talking so earnestly they + did not perceive me, and I—well, the fact is, Kingsley, I stayed and + listened. Not a very handsome thing, perhaps, but I couldn't resist it. + They were talking of some one they called Leoline, and I, in a moment, + knew that it was your flame, and that neither of them knew any more of her + whereabouts than we did.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet La Masque told me to come here in search of her,” interrupted Sir + Norman. + </p> + <p> + “Very true! That was odd—wasn't it? This Prudence, it appears, was + Leoline's nurse, and La Masque, too, seemed to have a certain authority + over her; and between them, I learned she was to have been married this + very night, and died—or, at least, Prudence thought so—an hour + or two before the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Then she was not married?” cried Sir Norman, in an ecstasy of delight. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit of it; and what is more, didn't want to be; and judging from + the remarks of Prudence, I should say, of the two, rather preferred the + plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why was she going to do it? You don't mean to say she was forced?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but I do, though! Prudence owned it with the most charming candor in + the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear the name of the person she was to have married?” asked Sir + Norman, with kindling eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I think not; they called him the count, if my memory serves me, and + Prudence intimated that he knew nothing of the melancholy fate of Mistress + Leoline. Most likely it was the person in the cloak and slouched hat we + saw talking to the watchman.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman said nothing, but he thought a good deal, and the burden of his + thoughts was an ardent and heartfelt wish that the Court L'Estrange was + once more under the swords of the three robbers, and waiting for him to + ride to the rescue—that was all! + </p> + <p> + “La Masque urged Prudence to go back,” continued Ormiston; “but Prudence + respectfully declined, and went her way bemoaning the fate of her darling. + When she was gone, I stepped up to Madame Masque, and that lady's first + words of greeting were an earnest hope that I had been edified and + improved by what I had overheard.” + </p> + <p> + “She saw you, then?” said Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “See me? I believe you! She has more eyes than ever Argus had, and each + one is as sharp as a cambric needle. Of course I apologized, and so on, + and she forgave me handsomely, and then we fell to discoursing—need + I tell you on what subject?” + </p> + <p> + “Love, of course,” said Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, mingled with entreaties to take off her mask that would have moved a + heart of stone. It moved what was better—the heart of La Masque; + and, Kingsley, she has consented to do it; and she says that if, after + seeing her face, I still love her, she will be my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible? My dear Ormiston, I congratulate you with all my heart!” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you! After that she left me, and I walked away in such a frenzy of + delight that I couldn't have told whether I was treading this earth or the + shining stars of the seventh heaven, when suddenly there flew past me a + figure all in white—the figure of a bride, Kingsley, pursued by an + excited mob. We were both near the river, and the first thing I knew, she + was plump into it, with the crowd behind, yelling to stop her, that she + was ill of the plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Great Heaven! and was she drowned?” + </p> + <p> + “No, though it was not her fault. The Earl of Rochester and his page—you + remember that page, I fancy—were out in their barge, and the earl + picked her up. Then I got a boat, set out after her, claimed her—for + I recognized her, of course—brought her ashore, and deposited her + safe and sound in her own house. What do you think of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston,” said Norman, catching him by the shoulder, with a very excited + face, “is this true?” + </p> + <p> + “True as preaching, Kingsley, every word of it! And the most extraordinary + part of the business is, that her dip in cold water has effectually cured + her of the plague; not a trace of it remains.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman dropped his hand, and walked on, staring straight before him, + perfectly speechless. In fact, no known language in the world could have + done justice to his feelings at that precise period; for three times that + night, in three different shapes, had he seen this same Leoline, and at + the same moment he was watching her decked out in royal state in the rain, + Ormiston had probably been assisting her from her cold bath in the river + Thames. + </p> + <p> + Astonishment and consternation are words altogether too feeble to express + his state of mind; but one idea remained clear and bright amid all his + mental chaos, and that was, that the Leoline he had fallen in love with + dead, was awaiting him, alive and well, in London. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Ormiston, “you don't speak! What do you think of all this?” + </p> + <p> + “Think! I can't think—I've got past that long ago!” replied his + friend, hopelessly. “Did you really say Leoline was alive and well?” + </p> + <p> + “And waiting for you—yes, I did, and I repeat it; and the sooner you + get back to town, the sooner you will see her; so don't loiter—” + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston, what do you mean! Is it possible I can see her to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is; the dear creature is waiting for you even now. You see, after + we got to the house, and she had consented to become a little rational, + mutual explanations ensued, by which it appeared she had ran away from Sir + Norman Kingsley's in a state of frenzy, had jumped into the river in a + similarly excited state of mind, and was most anxious to go down on her + pretty knees and thank the aforesaid Sir Norman for saving her life. What + could any one as gallant as myself do under these circumstances, but offer + to set forth in quest of that gentleman? And she promptly consented to sit + up and wait his coming, and dismissed me with her blessing. And, Kingsley, + I've a private notion she is as deeply affected by you as you are by her; + for, when I mentioned your name, she blushed, yea, verily to the roots of + her hair; and when she spoke of you, couldn't so much as look me in the + face—which is, you must own, a very bad symptom.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense!” said Sir Norman, energetically. And had it been daylight, his + friend would have seen that he blushed almost as extensively as the lady. + “She doesn't know me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, doesn't she, though? That shows all you know about it! She has seen + you go past the window many and many a time; and to see you,” said + Ormiston, making a grimace undercover of the darkness, “is to love! She + told me so herself.” + </p> + <p> + “What! That she loved me!” exclaimed Sir Norman, his notions of propriety + to the last degree shocked by such a revelation. + </p> + <p> + “Not altogether, she only looked that; but she said she knew you well by + sight, and by heart, too, as I inferred from her countenance when she said + it. There now, don't make me talk any more, for I have told you everything + I know, and am about hoarse with my exertions.” + </p> + <p> + “One thing only—did she tell you who she was?” + </p> + <p> + “No, except that her name was Leoline, and nothing else—which struck + me as being slightly improbable. Doubtless, she will tell you everything, + and one piece of advice I may venture to give you, which is, you may + propose as soon as you like without fear of rejection. Here we are at the + Golden Crown, so go in and get your horse, and let us be off.” + </p> + <p> + All this time Ormiston had been leading his own horse by the bridle, and + as Sir Norman silently complied with this suggestion, in five minutes more + they were in their saddles, and galloping at break-neck speed toward the + city. To tell the truth, one was not more inclined for silence than the + other, and the profoundest and thoughtfulest silence was maintained till + they reached it. One was thinking of Leoline, the other of La Masque, and + both were badly in love, and just at that particular moment very happy. Of + course the happiness of people in that state never lasts longer than half + an hour at a stretch, and then they are plunged back again into misery and + distraction; but while it does last, it in, very intense and delightful + indeed. + </p> + <p> + Our two friends having drained the bitten, had got to the bottom of the + cup, and neither knew that no sooner were the sweets swallowed, than it + was to be replenished with a doubly-bitter dose. Neither of them + dismounted till they reached the house of Leoline, and there Sir Norman + secured his horse, and looked up at it with a beating heart. Not that it + was very unusual for his heart to beat, seeing it never did anything else; + but on that occasion its motion was so much accelerated, that any doctor + feeling his pulse might have justly set him down as a bad case of + heart-disease. A small, bright ray of light streamed like a beacon of hope + from an upper window, and the lover looked at it as a clouded mariner + might at the shining of the North Star. + </p> + <p> + “Are you coming in, Ormiston?” he inquired, feeling, for the first time in + his life, almost bashful. “It seems to me it would only be right, you + know.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mind going in and introducing` you,” said Ormiston; “but after + you have been delivered over, you may fight your own battles, and take + care of yourself. Come on.” + </p> + <p> + The door was unfastened, and Ormiston sprang upstairs with the air of a + man—quite at home, followed more decorously by Sir Norman. The door of the + lady's room stood ajar, as he had left it, and in answer to his “tapping + at the chamber-door,” a sweet feminine voice called “come in.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston promptly obeyed, and the next instant they were in the room, and + in the presence of the dead bride. Certainly she did not look dead, but + very much alive, just then, as she sat in an easy-chair, drawn up before + the dressing-table, on which stood the solitary lamp that illumed the + chamber. In one hand she held a small mirror, or, as it was then called, a + “sprunking-glass,” in which she was contemplating her own beauty, with as + much satisfaction as any other pretty girl might justly do. She had + changed her drenched dress during Ormiston's absence, and now sat arrayed + in a swelling amplitude of rose-colored satin, her dark hair clasped and + bound by a circle of milk-white pearls, and her pale, beautiful face + looking ten degrees more beautiful than ever, in contrast with the bright + rose-silk, shining dark hair, and rich white jewels. She rose up as they + entered, and came forward with the same glow on her face and the same + light in her eyes that one of them had seen before, and stood with + drooping eyelashes, lovely as a vision in the centre of the room. + </p> + <p> + “You see I have lost no time in obeying your ladyship's commands,” began + Ormiston, bowing low. “Mistress Leoline, allow me to present Sir Norman + Kingsley.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman Kingsley bent almost as profoundly before the lady as the lord + high chancellor had done before Queen Miranda; and the lady courtesied, in + return, until her pink-satin skirt ballooned out all over the floor. It + was quite an affecting tableau. And so Ormiston felt, as he stood eyeing + it with preternatural gravity. + </p> + <p> + “I owe my life to Sir Norman Kingsley,” murmured the faint, sweet voice of + the lady, “and could not rest until I had thanked him. I have no words to + say how deeply thankful and grateful I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Fairest Leoline! one word from such lips would be enough to repay me, had + I done a thousandfold more,” responded Norman, laying his hand on his + heart, with another deep genuflection. + </p> + <p> + “Very pretty indeed!” remarked Ormiston to himself, with a little + approving nod; “but I'm afraid they won't be able to keep it up, and go on + talking on stilts like that, till they have finished. Perhaps they may get + on all the better if I take myself off, there being always one too many in + a case like this.” Then aloud: “Madame, I regret that I am obliged to + depart, having a most particular appointment; but, doubtless, my friend + will be able to express himself without my assistance. I have the honor to + wish you both good-night.” + </p> + <p> + With which neat and appropriate speech, Ormiston bowed himself out, and + was gone before Leoline could detain him, even if she wished to do so. + Probably, however, she thought the care of one gentleman sufficient + responsibility at once; and she did not look very seriously distressed by + his departure; and, the moment he disappeared, Sir Norman brightened up + wonderfully. + </p> + <p> + It is very discomposing to the feelings to make love in the presence of a + third party; and Sir Norman had no intention of wasting his time on + anything, and went at it immediately. Taking her hand, with a grace that + would have beaten Sir Charles Grandison or Lord Chesterfield all to + nothing, he led her to a couch, and took a seat as near her as was at all + polite or proper, considering the brief nature of their acquaintance. The + curtains were drawn; the lamp shed a faint light; the house was still, and + there was no intrusive papa to pounce down upon them; the lady was looking + down, and seemed in no way haughty or discouraging, and Sir Norman's + spirits went up with a jump to boiling-point. + </p> + <p> + Yet the lady, with all her pretty bashfulness, was the first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid, Sir Norman, you must think this a singular hour to come here; + but, in these dreadful times, we cannot tell if we may live from one + moment to another; and I should not like to die, or have you die, without + my telling, and you hearing, all my gratitude. For I do assure you, Sir + Norman,” said the lady, lifting her dark eyes with the prettiest and most + bewitching earnestness, “that I am grateful, though I cannot find words to + express it.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I would not listen to you if you would; for I have done nothing + to deserve thanks. I wish I could tell you what I felt when Ormiston told + me you were alive and safe.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind, but pray do not call me madame. Say Leoline!” + </p> + <p> + “A thousand thanks, dear Leoline!” exclaimed Sir Norman, raising her hand + to his lips, and quite beside himself with ecstasy. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I did not tell you to say that!” she cried, with a gay laugh and + vivid blush. “I never said you were to call me dear.” + </p> + <p> + “It arose from my heart to my lips,” said Sir Norman, with thrilling + earnestness and fervid glance; “for you are dear to me—dearer than + all the world beside!” + </p> + <p> + The flush grew a deeper glow on the lady's face; but, singular to relate, + she did not look the least surprised or displeased; and the hand he had + feloniously purloined lay passive and quite contented in his. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley is pleased to jest,” said the lady, in a subdued + tone, and with her eyes fixed pertinaciously on her shining dress; “for he + has never spoken to me before in his life!” + </p> + <p> + “That has nothing to do with it, Leoline. I love you as devotedly as if I + had known you from your birthday; and, strange to say, I feel as if we had + been friends for years instead of minutes. I cannot realize at all that + you are a stranger to me!” + </p> + <p> + Leoline laughed: + </p> + <p> + “Nor I; though, for that matter, you are not a stranger to me, Sir + Norman!” + </p> + <p> + “Am I not? How is that!” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen you go past so often, you know; and Prudence told me who you + were; and so I need—I used—” hesitating and glowing to a + degree before which her dress paled. + </p> + <p> + “Well, dearest,” said Sir Norman, getting from the positive to the + superlative at a jump, and diminishing the distance between them, “you + need to—what?” + </p> + <p> + “To watch for you!” said Leoline, in a sly whisper. “And so I have got to + know you very well!” + </p> + <p> + “My own darling! And, O Leoline! may I hope—dare I hope—that + you do not altogether hate me?” + </p> + <p> + Leoline looked reflective; though her bleak eyes were sparkling under + their sweeping lashes. + </p> + <p> + “Why, no,” she said, demurely, “I don't know as I do. It's very sinful and + improper to hate one's fellow-creatures, you know, Sir Norman, and + therefore I don't indulge in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you are given to piety, I see. In that case, perhaps you are aware of + a precept commanding us to love our neighbors. Now, I'm your nearest + neighbor at present; so, to keep up a consistent Christian spirit, just be + good enough to say you love me!” + </p> + <p> + Again Leoline laughed; and this time the bright, dancing eyes beamed in + their sparkling darkness full upon him. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid your theology is not very sound, my friend, and I have a + dislike to extremes. There is a middle course, between hating and loving. + Suppose I take that?” + </p> + <p> + “I will have no middle courses—either hating or loving it must be! + Leoline! Leoline!” (bending over her, and imprisoning both hands this + time) “do say you love me!” + </p> + <p> + “I am captive in your hands, so I must, I suppose. Yes, Sir Norman, I do + love you!” + </p> + <p> + Every man hearing that for the first time from a pair of loved lips is + privileged to go mad for a brief season, and to go through certain + manoeuvers much more delectable to the enjoyers than to society at large. + For fully ten minutes after Leoline's last speech, there was profound + silence. But actions sometimes speak louder than words; and Leoline was + perfectly convinced that her declaration had not fallen on insensible + ears. At the end of that period, the space between them on the couch had + so greatly diminished, that the ghost of a zephyr would have been crushed + to death trying to get between them; and Sir Norman's face was fairly + radiant. Leoline herself looked rather beaming; and she suddenly, and + without provocation, burst into a merry little peal of laughter. + </p> + <p> + “Well, for two people who were perfect strangers to each other half an + hour ago, I think we have gone on remarkably well. What will Mr. Ormiston + and Prudence say, I wonder, when they hear this?” + </p> + <p> + “They will say what is the truth—that I am the luckiest man in + England. O Leoline! I never thought it was in me to love any one as I do + you.”' + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad to hear it; but I knew that it was in me long before I + ever dreamed of knowing you. Are you not anxious to know something about + the future Lady Kingsley's past history?” + </p> + <p> + “It will all come in good time; it is not well to have a surfeit of joy in + one night. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know that this will add to your joy; but it had better be told + and be done with, at once and forever. In the first place, I presume I am + an orphan, for I have never known father or mother, and I have never had + any other name but Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “So Ormiston told me.” + </p> + <p> + “My first recollection is of Prudence; she was my nurse and governess, + both in one; and we lived in a cottage by the sea—I don't know + where, but a long way from this. When I was about ten years old, we left + it, and came to London, and lived in a house in Cheapside, for five or six + years; and then we moved here. And all this time, Sir Norman you will + think it strange—but I never made any friends or acquaintances, and + knew no one but Prudence and an old Italian professor, who came to our + lodgings in Cheapside, every week, to give me lessons. It was not because + I disliked society, you must know; but Prudence, with all her kindness and + goodness—and I believe she truly loves me—has been nothing + more or less all my life than my jailer.” + </p> + <p> + She paused to clasp a belt of silver brocade, fastened by a pearl buckle, + close around her little waist, and Sir Norman fixed his eyes upon her + beautiful face, with a powerful glance. + </p> + <p> + “Knew no one—that is strange, Leoline! Not even the Count + L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you know him?” she cried eagerly, lifting her eyes with a bright + look; “do—do tell me who he is?” + </p> + <p> + “Upon my honor, my dear,” said Sir Norman, considerably taken aback, “it + strikes me you are the person to answer that question. If I don't greatly + mistake, somebody told me you were going to marry him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, so I was,” said Leoline, with the utmost simplicity. “But I don't + know him, for all that; and more than that, Sir Norman, I do not believe + his name is Count L'Estrange, any more than mine is!” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely my opinion; but why, in the name of—no, I'll not swear; + but why were you going to marry him, Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + Leoline half pouted, and shrugged her pretty pink satin shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Because I couldn't help it—that's why. He coaxed, and coaxed; and I + said no, and no, and no, until I got tired of it. Prudence, too, was as + bad as he was, until between them I got about distracted, and at last + consented to marry him to get rid of him.” + </p> + <p> + “My poor, persecuted little darling! Oh,” cried Sir Norman, with a burst + of enthusiasm, “how I should admire to have Count L'Estrange here for + about ten minutes, just now! I would spoil his next wooing for him, or I + am mistaken!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” said Leoline, looking rather alarmed; “you must not fight, you + know. I shouldn't at all like either of you to get killed. Besides, he has + not married me; and so there's no harm done.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman seemed rather struck by that view of the case, and after a few + moments reflection on it, came to the conclusion that she knew best, and + settled down peaceably again. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you suppose his name is not Count L'Estrange?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “For many reasons. First—he is disguised; wears false whiskers, + moustache, and wig, and even the voice he uses appears assumed. Then + Prudence seems in the greatest awe of him, and she is not one to be easily + awed. I never knew her to be in the slightest degree intimidated by any + human being but himself and that mysterious woman, La Masque. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you know La Masque, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Not personally; but I have seen her as I did you, you remember,” with an + arch glance; “and, like you, being once seen, is not to be forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman promptly paid her for the compliment in Cupid's own coin: + </p> + <p> + “Little flatterer! I can almost forgive Count L'Estrange for wanting to + marry you; for I presume he it only a man, and not quite equal to + impossibilities. How long is it since you knew him first?” + </p> + <p> + “Not two months. My courtships,” said Leoline, with a gay laugh, “seem + destined to be of the shortest. He saw me one evening in the window, and + immediately insisted on being admitted; and after that, he continued + coming until I had to promise, as I have told you, to be Countess + L'Estrange.” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot be much of a gentleman, or he would not attempt to force a lady + against her will. And so, when you were dressed for your bridal, you found + you had the plague?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Sir Norman; and horrible as that was I do assure you I almost + preferred it to marrying him.” + </p> + <p> + “Leoline, tell me how long it is since you've known me?” + </p> + <p> + “Nearly three months,” said Leoline, blushing again celestial rosy red. + </p> + <p> + “And how long have you loved me?” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense. What a question! I shall not tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall—you must—I insist upon it. Did you love me before + you met the count? Out with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then—yes!” cried Leoline desperately. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman raised the hand he held, in rapture to his lips: + </p> + <p> + “My darling! But I will reserve my raptures, for it is growing late, and I + know you must want to go to rest. I have a thousand things to tell you, + but they must wait for daylight; only I will promise, before parting, that + this is the last night you must spend here.” + </p> + <p> + Leoline opened her bright eyes very wide. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow morning,” went on Sir Norman, impressively, and with dignity, + “you will be up and dressed by sunrise, and shortly after that radiant + period, I will make my appearance with two horses—one of which I + shall ride, and the other I shall lead: the one I lead you shall mount, + and we will ride to the nearest church, and be married without any pomp or + pageant; and then Sir Norman and Lady Kingsley will immediately leave + London, and in Kingsley Castle, Devonshire, will enjoy the honeymoon and + blissful repose till the plague is over. Do you understand that?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly,” she answered, with a radiant face. + </p> + <p> + “And agree to it?” + </p> + <p> + “You know I do, Sir Norman; only—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my pet, only what?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman, I should like to see Prudence. I want Prudence. How can I + leave her behind?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear child, she made nothing of leaving you when she thought you were + dying; so never mind Prudence, but say, will you be ready?” + </p> + <p> + “I will.” + </p> + <p> + “That is my good little Leoline. Now give me a kiss, Lady Kingsley, and + good-night.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Kingsley dutifully obeyed; and Sir Norman went out with a glow at his + heart, like a halo round a full moon. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. THE PAGE, THE FIRES, AND THE FALL. + </h2> + <p> + The night was intensely dark when Sir Norman got into it once more; and to + any one else would have been intensely dismal, but to Sir Norman all was + bright as the fair hills of Beulah. When all is bright within, we see no + darkness without; and just at that moment our young knight had got into + one of those green and golden glimpses of sunshine that here and there + checker life's rather dark pathway, and with Leoline beside him would have + thought the dreary shores of the Dead Sea itself a very paradise. + </p> + <p> + It was now near midnight, and there was an unusual concourse of people in + the streets, waiting for St. Paul's to give the signal to light the fires. + He looked around for Ormiston; but Ormiston was nowhere to be seen—horse + and rider had disappeared. His own horse stood tethered where he had left + him. Anxious as he was to ride back to the ruin, and see the play played + out, he could not resist the temptation of lingering a brief period in the + city, to behold the grand spectacle of the myriad fires. Many persons were + hurrying toward St. Paul's to witness it from the dome; and consigning his + horse to the care of the sentinel on guard at the house opposite, he + joined them, and was soon striding along, at a tremendous pace, toward the + great cathedral. Ere he reached it, its long-tongued clock tolled twelve, + and all the other churches, one after another, took up the sound, and the + witching hour of midnight rang and rerang from end to end of London town. + As if by magic, a thousand forked tongues of fire shot up at once into the + blind, black night, turning almost in an instant the darkened face of the + heavens to an inflamed, glowing red. Great fires were blazing around the + cathedral when they reached it, but no one stopped to notice them, but + only hurried on the faster to gain their point of observation. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman just glanced at the magnificent pile—for the old St. + Paul's was even more magnificent than the new,—and then followed + after the rest, through many a gallery, tower, and spiral staircase till + the dome was reached. And there a grand and mighty spectacle was before + him—the whole of London swaying and heaving in one great sea of + fire. From one end to the other, the city seemed wrapped in sheets of + flame, and every street, and alley, and lane within it shone in a lurid + radiance far brighter than noonday. All along the river fires were + gleaming, too; and the whole sky had turned from black to blood-red + crimson. The streets were alive and swarming—it could scarcely be + believed that the plague-infested city contained half so many people, and + all were unusually hopeful and animated; for it was popularly believed + that these fires would effectually check the pestilence. But the angry + fiat of a Mighty Judge had gone forth, and the tremendous arm of the + destroying angel was not to be stopped by the puny hand of man. + </p> + <p> + It has been said the weather for weeks was unusually brilliant, days of + cloudless sunshine, nights of cloudless moonlight, and the air was warm + and sultry enough for the month of August in the tropics. But now, while + they looked, a vivid flash of lightning, from what quarter of the heavens + no man knew, shot athwart the sky, followed by another and another, quick, + sharp, and blinding. Then one great drop of rain fell like molten lead on + the pavement, then a second and a third quicker, faster, and thicker, + until down it crashed in a perfect deluge. It did not wait to rain; it + fell in floods—in great, slanting sheets of water, an is the very + floodgates of heaven had opened for a second deluge. No one ever + remembered to have seen such torrents fall, and the populace fled before + it in wildest dismay. In five minutes, every fire, from one extremity of + London to the other, was quenched in the very blackness of darkness, and + on that night the deepest gloom and terror reigned throughout the city. It + was clear the hand of an avenging Deity was in this, and He who had rained + down fire on Sodom and Gomorrah had not lost His might. In fifteen minutes + the terrific flood was over; the dismal clouds cleared away, a pale, fair, + silver moon shone serenely out, and looked down on the black, charred + heaps of ashes strewn through the streets of London. One by one, the stars + that all night had been obscured, glanced and sparkled over the sky, and + lit up with their soft, pale light the doomed and stricken town. Everybody + had quitted the dome in terror and consternation; and now Sir Norman, who + had been lost in awe, suddenly bethought him of his ride to the ruin, and + hastened to follow their example. Walking rapidly, not to say recklessly, + along, he abruptly knocked against some one sauntering leisurely before + him, and nearly pitched headlong on the pavement. Recovering his centre of + gravity by a violent effort, he turned to see the cause of the collision, + and found himself accosted by a musical and foreign-accented voice. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon,” said the sweet, and rather feminine tones; “it was quite an + accident, I assure you, monsieur. I had no idea I was in anybody's way.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman looked at the voice, or rather in the direction whence it came, + and found it proceeded from a lad in gay livery, whose clear, colorless + face, dark eyes, and exquisite features were by no means unknown. The boy + seemed to recognize him at the same moment, and slightly touched his gay + cap. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it is Sir Norman Kingsley! Just the very person, but one, in the + world that I wanted most to see.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! And, pray, whom have I the honor of addressing?” inquired Sir + Norman, deeply edified by the cool familiarity of the accoster. + </p> + <p> + “They call me Hubert—for want of a better name, I suppose,” said the + lad, easily. “And may I ask, Sir Norman, if you are shod with + seven-leagued boots, or if your errand is one of life and death, that you + stride along at such a terrific rate?” + </p> + <p> + “And what is that to you?” asked Sir Norman, indignant at his + free-and-easy impudence. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing; only I should like to keep up with you, if my legs were long + enough; and as they're not, and as company is not easily to be had in + these forlorn streets, I should feel obliged to you if you would just + slacken your pace a trifle, and take me in tow.” + </p> + <p> + The boy's face in the moonlight, in everything but expression, was exactly + that of Leoline, to which softening circumstance may be attributed Sir + Norman's yielding to the request, and allowing the page to keep along + side. + </p> + <p> + “I've met you once before to-night?” inquired Sir Norman, after a + prolonged and wondering stare at him. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I have a faint recollection of seeing you and Mr. Ormiston on London + Bridge, a few hours ago, and, by the way, perhaps I may mention I am now + in search of that same Mr. Ormiston.” + </p> + <p> + “You are! And what may you want of him, pray?” + </p> + <p> + “Just a little information of a private character—perhaps you can + direct me to his whereabouts.” + </p> + <p> + “Should be happy to oblige you, my dear boy, but, unfortunately, I cannot. + I want to see him myself, if I could find any one good enough to direct me + to him. Is your business pressing?” + </p> + <p> + “Very—there is a lady in the case; and such business, you are aware, + is always pressing. Probably you have heard of her—a youthful angel, + in virgin white, who took a notion to jump into the Thames, not a great + while ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Sir Norman, with a start that did not escape the quick eyes of + the boy. “And what do you want of her?” + </p> + <p> + The page glanced at him. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you know her yourself, sir Norman? If so, you will answer quite + as well as your friend, as I only want to know where she lives.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been out of town to-night,” said Sir Norman, evasively, “and there + may have been more ladies than one jumped into the Thames during my + absence. Pray, describe your angel in white.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not notice her particularly myself,” said the boy, with easy + indifference, “as I am not in the habit of paying much attention to young + ladies who run wild about the streets at night and jump promiscuously into + rivers. However, this one was rather remarkable, for being dressed as a + bride, having long black hair, and a great quantity of jewelry about her, + and looking very much like me. Having said she looks like me, I need not + add she is handsome.” + </p> + <p> + “Vanity of vanities, all in vanity!” murmured Sir Norman, meditatively. + “Perhaps she is a relative of yours, Master Hubert, since you take such an + interest in her, and she looks so much like you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not that I know of,” said Hubert, in his careless way. “I believe I was + born minus those common domestic afflictions, relatives; and I don't take + the slightest interest in her, either; don't think it!” + </p> + <p> + “Then why are you in search of her?” + </p> + <p> + “For a very good reason—because I've been ordered to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “By whom—your master?” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Rochester,” said that nobleman's page, waving off the insinuation + by a motion of his hand and a little displeased frown; “he picked her up + adrift, and being composed of highly inflammable materials, took a hot and + vehement fancy for her, which fact he did not discover until your friend, + Mr. Ormiston, had carried her off.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman scowled. + </p> + <p> + “And so he sent you in search of her, has he?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly so; and now you perceive the reason why it is quite important + that I find Mr. Ormiston. We do not know where he has taken her to, but + fancy it must be somewhere near the river.” + </p> + <p> + “You do? I tell you what it is, my boy,” exclaimed Sir Norman, suddenly + and in an elevated key, “the best thing you can do is, to go home and go + to bed, and never mind young ladies. You'll catch the plague before you'll + catch this particular young lady—I can tell you that!” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur is excited,” lisped the lad raising his hat and running his + taper fingers through his glossy, dark curls. “Is she as handsome as they + say she is, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Handsome!” cried Sir Norman, lighting up with quite a new sensation at + the recollection. “I tell you handsome doesn't begin to describe her! She + is beautiful, lovely, angelic, divine—” Here Sir Norman's litany of + adjectives beginning to give out, he came to a sudden halt, with a face as + radiant as the sky at sunrise. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I did not believe them, when they told me she was so much like me; + but if she is as near perfection as you describe, I shall begin to credit + it. Strange, is it not, that nature should make a duplicate of her + greatest earthly chef d'oeuvre?” + </p> + <p> + “You conceited young jackanapes!” growled Sir Norman, in deep displeasure. + “It is far stranger how such a bundle of vanity can contrive to live in + this work-a-day world. You are a foreigner, I perceive?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Sir Norman, I am happy to say I am.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't like England, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I'd be sorry to like it; a dirty, beggarly, sickly place as I ever saw!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman eyed the slender specimen of foreign manhood, uttering this + sentiment in the sincerest of tones, and let his hand fall heavily on his + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “My good youth, be careful! I happen to be a native, and not altogether + used to this sort of talk. How long have you been here? Not long, I know + myself—at least, not in the Earl of Rochester's service, or I would + have seen you.” + </p> + <p> + “Right! I have not been here a month; but that month has seemed longer + than a year elsewhere. Do you know, I imagine when the world was created, + this island of yours must have been made late on Saturday night, and then + merely thrown in from the refuse to fill up a dent in the ocean.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman paused in his walk, and contemplated the speaker a moment in + severest silence. But Master Hubert only lifted up his saucy face and + laughing black eyes, in dauntless sang froid. + </p> + <p> + “Master Hubert,” began Master Hubert's companion, in his deepest and + sternest bass, “I don't know your other name, and it would be of no + consequence if I did—just listen to me a moment. If you don't want + to get run through (you perceive I carry a sword), and have an untimely + end put to your career, just keep a civil tongue in your head, and don't + slander England. Now come on!” + </p> + <p> + Hubert laughed and shrugged his shoulders: + </p> + <p> + “Thought is free, however, so I can have my own opinion in spite of + everything. Will you tell me, monsieur, where I can find the lady?” + </p> + <p> + “You will have it, will you?” exclaimed Sir Norman, half drawing his + sword. “Don't ask questions, but answer them. Are you French?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur has guessed it.” + </p> + <p> + “How long have you been with your present master?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur, I object to that term,” said Hubert, with calm dignity. “Master + is a vulgarism that I dislike; so, in alluding to his lordship, take the + trouble to say, patron.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman laughed. + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart! How long, then, have you been with your present + patron?” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite two weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not like to be impertinently inquisitive in addressing so dignified + a gentleman, but perhaps you would not consider it too great a liberty, if + I inquired how you became his page?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur shall ask as many questions as he pleases, and it shall not be + considered the slightest liberty,” said the young gentleman, politely. “I + had been roaming at large about the city and the palace of his majesty—whom + may Heaven preserve, and grant a little more wisdom!—in search of a + situation; and among that of all nobles of the court, the Earl of + Rochester's livery struck me as being the most becoming, and so I + concluded to patronize him.” + </p> + <p> + “What an honor for his lordship! Since you dislike England so much, + however, you will probably soon throw up the situation and, patronize the + first foreign ambassador—” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps! I rather like Whitehall, however. Old Rowlie has taken rather a + fancy to me,” said the boy speaking with the same easy familiarity of his + majesty as he would of a lap-dog. “And what is better, so has Mistress + Stewart—so much so, that Heaven forefend the king should become + jealous. This, however, is strictly entre nous, and not to be spoken of on + any terms.” + </p> + <p> + “Your secret shall be preserved at the risk of my life,” said Sir Norman, + laying his hand on the left side of his doublet; “and in return, may I ask + if you have any relatives living—any sisters for instance?” + </p> + <p> + “I see! you have a suspicion that the lady in white may be a sister of + mine. Well, you may set your mind at rest on that point—for if she + is, it is news to me, as I never saw her in my life before tonight. Is she + a particular friend of yours, Sir Norman?” + </p> + <p> + “Never you mind that, my dear boy; but take my advice, and don't trouble + yourself looking for her; for, most assuredly, if you find her, I shall + break your head!” + </p> + <p> + “Much obliged,” said Hubert, touching his cap, “but nevertheless, I shall + risk it. She had the plague, though, when she jumped into the river, and + perhaps the best place to find her would be the pest-house. I shall try.” + </p> + <p> + “Go, and Heaven speed you! Yonder is the way to it, and my road lies here. + Good night, master Hubert.” + </p> + <p> + “Good night, Sir Norman,” responded the page, bowing airily; “and if I do + not find the lady to-night, most assuredly I shall do so to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Turning along a road leading to the pest-house, and laughing as he went, + the boy disappeared. Fearing lest the page should follow him, and thereby + discover a clue to Leoline's abode, Sir Norman turned into a street some + distance from the house, and waited in the shadow until he was out of + sight. Then he came forth, and, full of impatience to get back to the + ruin, hurried on to where he had left his horse. He was still in the care + of the watchman, whom he repaid for his trouble; and as he sprang on his + back, he glanced up at the windows of Leoline's house. It was all buried + in profound darkness but that one window from which that faint light + streamed, and he knew that she had not yet gone to rest. For a moment he + lingered and looked at it in the absurd way lovers will look, and was + presently rewarded by seeing what he watched for—a shadow flit + between him and the light. The sight was a strong temptation to him to + dismount and enter, and, under pretence of warning her against the Earl of + Rochester and his “pretty page,” see her once again. But reflection, + stepping rebukingly up to him, whispered indignantly, that his ladylove + was probably by this time in her night robe, and not at home to lovers; + and Sir Norman respectfully bowed to reflection's superior wisdom. He + thought of Hubert's words, “If I do not find her tonight, I shall most + assuredly to-morrow,” and a chill presentiment of coming evil fell upon + him. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow,” he said, as he turned to go. “Who knows what to-morrow may + bring forth! Fairest and dearest Leoline, good-night!” + </p> + <p> + He rode away in the moonlight, with the stars shining peacefully down upon + him. His heart at the moment was a divided one—one half being given + to Leoline, and the other to the Midnight Queen and her mysterious court. + The farther he went away from Leoline, the dimmer her star became in the + horizon of his thoughts; and the nearer he came to Miranda, the brighter + and more eagerly she loomed up, until he spurred his horse to a most + furious gallop, lest he should find the castle and the queen lost in the + regions of space when he got there. Once the plague-stricken city lay + behind him, his journey was short; and soon, to his great delight, he + turned into the silent deserted by-path leading to the ruin. + </p> + <p> + Tying his horse to a stake in the crumbling wall, he paused for a moment + to look at it in the pale, wan light of the midnight moon. He had looked + at it many a time before, but never with the same interest as now; and the + ruined battlements, the fallen roof, the broken windows, and mouldering + sides, had all a new and weird interest for him. No one was visible far or + near; and feeling that his horse was secure in the shadow of the wall, he + entered, and walked lightly and rapidly along in the direction of the + spiral staircase. With more haste, but the same precaution, he descended, + and passed through the vaults to where he knew the loose flag-stone was. + It was well he did know; for there was neither strain of music nor ray of + light to guide him now; and his heart sank to zero as he thought he might + raise the stone and discover nothing. His hand positively trembled with + eagerness as he lifted it; and with unbounded delight, not to be + described, looked down on the same titled assembly he had watched before. + But there had been a change since—half the lights were extinguished, + and the great vaulted room was comparatively in shadow—the music had + entirely died away and all was solemnly silent. But what puzzled Sir + Norman most of all was, the fact that there seemed to be a trial of acme + sort going on. + </p> + <p> + A long table, covered with green velvet, and looking not unlike a modern + billiard table, stood at the right of the queen's crimson throne; and + behind it, perched in a high chair, and wearing a long, solemn, black + robe, sat a small, thick personage, whose skin Sir Norman would have known + on a bush. He glanced at the lower throne and found it as he expected, + empty; and he saw at once that his little highness was not only prince + consort, but also supreme judge in the kingdom. Two or three similar + black-robed gentry, among whom was recognizable the noble duke who so + narrowly escaped with his life under the swords of Sir Norman and Count + L'Estrange. Before this solemn conclave stood a man who was evidently the + prisoner under trial, and who wore the whitest and most frightened face + Sir Norman thought he had ever beheld. The queen was lounging negligently + back on her throne, paying very little attention to the solemn rites, + occasionally gossiping with some of the snow-white sylphs beside her, and + often yawning behind her pretty finger-tips, and evidently very much bored + by it all. + </p> + <p> + The rest of the company were decorously seated in the crimson and gilded + arm-chairs, some listening with interest to what was going on, others + holding whispered tete-a-tetes, and all very still and respectful. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman's interest was aroused to the highest pitch; he imprudently + leaned forward too far, in order to hear and see, and lost his balance. He + felt he was going, and tried to stop himself, but in vain; and seeing + there was no help for it, he made a sudden spring, and landed right in the + midst of the assembly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE EXECUTION. + </h2> + <p> + In an instant all was confusion. Everybody sprang to their feet—ladies + shrieked in chorus, gentlemen swore and drew their swords, and looked to + see if they might not expect a whole army to drop from the sky upon them, + as they stood. No other battalion, however, followed this forlorn hope; + and seeing it, the gentlemen took heart of grace and closed around the + unceremonious intruder. The queen had sprung from her royal seat, and + stood with her bright lips parted, and her brighter eyes dilating in + speechless wonder. The bench, with the judge at their head, had followed + her example, and stood staring with all their might, looking, truth to + tell, as much startled by the sudden apparition as the fair sex. The said + fair sex were still firing off little volleys of screams in chorus, and + clinging desperately to their cavaliers; and everything, in a word, was in + most admired disorder. + </p> + <p> + Tam O'Shanter's cry, “Weel done, Cutty sark!” could not have produced half + such a commotion among his “hellish legion” as the emphatic debut of Sir + Norman Kingsley among these human revelers. The only one who seemed rather + to enjoy it than otherwise was the prisoner, who was quietly and quickly + making off, when the malevolent and irrepressible dwarf espied him, and + the one shock acting as a counter-irritant to the other, he bounced + fleetly over the table, and grabbed him in his crab-like claws. + </p> + <p> + This brisk and laudable instance of self-command had a wonderful and + inspiriting effect on the rest; and as he replaced the pale and palsied + prisoner in his former position, giving him a vindictive shake and vicious + kick with his royal boots as he did so, everybody began to feel themselves + again. The ladies stopped screaming, the gentlemen ceased swearing, and + more than one exclamation of astonishment followed the cries of terror. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley! Sir Norman Kingsley!” rang from lip to lip of those + who recognized him; and all drew closer, and looked at him as if they + really could not make up their mind to believe their eyes. As for Sir + Norman himself, that gentleman was destined literally, if not + metaphorically, to fall on his legs that night, and had alighted on the + crimson velvet-carpet, cat-like, on his feet. In reference to his feelings—his + first was one of frantic disapproval of going down; his second, one of + intense astonishment of finding himself there with unbroken bones; his + third, a disagreeable conviction that he had about put his foot in it, and + was in an excessively bad fix; and last, but not least, a firm and rooted + determination to make the beet of a bad bargain, and never say die. + </p> + <p> + His first act was to take off his plumed hat, and make a profound + obeisance to her majesty the queen, who was altogether too much surprised + to make the return politeness demanded, and merely stared at him with her + great, beautiful, brilliant eyes, as if she would never have done. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and gentlemen!” said Sir Norman, turning gracefully to the + company; “I beg ten thousand pardons for this unwarrantable intrusion, and + promise you, upon my honor, never to do it again. I beg to assure you that + my coming here was altogether involuntary on my part, and forced by + circumstances over which I had no control; and I entreat you will not mind + me in the least, but go on with the proceeding, just as you did before. + Should you feel my presence here any restraint, I am quite ready and + willing to take my departure at any moment; and as I before insinuated, + will promise, on the honor of a gentleman and a knight, never again to + take the liberty of tumbling through the ceiling down on your heads.” + </p> + <p> + This reference to the ceiling seemed to explain the whole mystery; and + everybody looked up at the corner whence he came from, and saw the flag + that had been removed. As to his speech, everybody had listened to it with + the greatest of attention; and sundry of the ladies, convinced by this + time that he was flesh and blood, and no ghost, favored the handsome young + knight with divers glances, not at all displeased or unadmiring. The queen + sank back into her seat, keeping him still transfixed with her + darkly-splendid eyes; and whether she admired or otherwise, no one could + tell from her still, calm face. The prince consort's feelings—for + such there could be no doubt he was—were involved in no such + mystery; and he broke out into a hyena-like scream of laughter, as he + recognized, upon a second look, his young friend of the Golden Crown. + </p> + <p> + “So you have come, have you?” he cried, thrusting his unlovely visage over + the table, till it almost touched sir Norman's. “You have come, have you, + after all I said?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir I have come!” said Sir Norman, with a polite bow. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you don't know me, my dear young sir—your little friend, + you know, of the Golden Crown.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I perfectly recognize you! My little friend,” said Sir Norman, with + bland suavity, and unconsciously quoting Leoline, “once seen in not easy + to be-forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + Upon this, his highness net up such another screech of mirth that it quite + woke an echo through the room; and all Sir Norman's friends looked grave; + for when his highness laughed, it was a very bad sign. + </p> + <p> + “My little friend will hurt himself,” remarked Sir Norman, with an air of + solicitude, “if he indulges in his exuberant and gleeful spirits to such + an extent. Let me recommend you, as a well-wisher, to sit down and compose + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Instead of complying, however, the prince, who seemed blessed with a + lively sense of the ludicrous, was so struck with the extreme funniness of + the young man's speech, that he relaxed into another paroxysm of levity, + shriller and more unearthly, if possible, than any preceding one, and + which left him so exhausted, that he was forced to sink into his chair and + into silence through sheer fatigue. Seizing this, the first opportunity, + Miranda, with a glance of displeased dignity at Caliban, immediately + struck in: + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, sir, and by what right do you dare to come here?” + </p> + <p> + Her tone was neither very sweet nor suave; but it was much pleasanter to + be cross-examined by the owner of such a pretty face than by the ugly + little monster, for the moment gasping and extinguished; and Sir Norman + turned to her with alacrity, and a bow. + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I am Sir Norman Kingsley, very much at your service; and I beg to + assure you I did not come here, but fell here, through that hole, if you + perceive, and very much against my will.” + </p> + <p> + “Equivocation will not serve you in this case, sir,” said the queen, with + an austere dignity. “And, allow me to observe, it is just probable you + would not have fallen through that hole in our royal ceiling if you had + kept away from it. You raised that flag yourself—did you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, I fear I must say yes!” + </p> + <p> + “And why did you do so?” demanded her majesty, with far more sharp + asperity than Sir Norman dreamed could ever come from such beautiful lips. + </p> + <p> + “The rumor of Queen Miranda's charms has gone forth; and I fear I must own + that rumor drew me hither,” responded Sir Norman, inventing a polite + little work of fiction for the occasion; “and, let me add, that I came to + find that rumor had under-rated instead of exaggerated her majesty's said + charms.” + </p> + <p> + Here Sir Norman, whose spine seemed in danger of becoming the shape of a + rainbow, in excess of good breeding, made another genuflection before the + queen, with his hand over the region of his heart. Miranda tried to look + grave, and wear that expression of severe solemnity I am told queens and + rich people always do; but, in spite of herself, a little pleased smile + rippled over her face; and, noticing it, and the bow and speech, the + prince suddenly and sharply set up such another screech of laughter as no + steamboat or locomotive, in the present age of steam, could begin to equal + in ghastliness. + </p> + <p> + “Will your highness have the goodness to hold your tongue?” inquired the + queen, with much the air and look of Mrs. Caudle, “and allow me to ask + this stranger a few questions uninterrupted? Sir Norman Kingsley, how long + have you been above there, listening and looking on?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I was not there five minutes when I suddenly, and to my great + surprise, found myself here.” + </p> + <p> + “A lie!—a lie!” exclaimed the dwarf, furiously. “It is over two + hours since I met you at the bar of the Golden Crown.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear little friend,” said Sir Norman, drawing his sword, and + flourishing it within an inch of the royal nose, “just make that remark + again, and my sword will cleave your pretty head, as the cimetar of + Saladin clove the cushion of down! I earnestly assure you, madame, that I + had but just knelt down to look, when I discovered to my dismay, that I + was no longer there, but in your charming presence.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, my lords and gentlemen,” said the queen, glancing blandly + round the apartment, “he has witnessed nothing, and, therefore, merits but + slight punishment.” + </p> + <p> + “Permit me, your majesty,” said the duke, who had read the roll of death, + and who had been eyeing Sir Norman sharply for some time, “permit me one + moment! This is the very individual who slew the Earl of Ashley, while his + companion was doing for my Lord Craven. Sir Norman Kingsley,” said his + grace, turning, with awful impressiveness to that young person, “do you + know me?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite as well as I wish to,” answered Sir Norman, with a cool and rather + contemptuous glance in his direction. “You look extremely like a certain + highwayman, with a most villainous countenance, I encountered a few hours + back, and whom I would have made mince most of if he had not been coward + enough to fly. Probably you may be the name; you look fit for that, or + anything else.” + </p> + <p> + “Cut him down!” “Dash his brains out!” “Run him through!” “Shoot him!” + were a few of the mild and pleasant insinuations that went off on every + side of him, like a fierce volley of pop-guns; and a score of bright + blades flashed blue and threatening on every side; while the prince broke + out into another shriek of laughter, that rang high over all. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman drew his own sword, and stood on the defence, breathed one + thought to Leoline, gave himself up for lost; but before quite doing so—to + use a phrase not altogether as original as it might be—“determined + to sell his life as dearly as possible.” Angry eyes and fierce faces were + on every hand, and his dreams of matrimony and Leoline seemed about to + terminate then and there, when luck came to his side, in the shape of her + most gracious majesty the queen. Springing to her feet, she waved her + sceptre, while her black eyes flashed as fiercely as the best of them, and + her voice rang out like a trumpet-tone. + </p> + <p> + “Sheathe your swords, my lords, and back every man of you! Not one hair of + his head shall fall without my permission; and the first who lays hands on + him until that consent is given, shall die, if I have to shoot him myself! + Sir Norman Kingsley, stand near, and fear not. At his peril, let one of + them touch you!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman bent on one knee, and raised the gracious hand to his lips. At + the fierce, ringing, imperious tone, all involuntarily fell back, as if + they were accustomed to obey it; and the prince, who seemed to-night in an + uncommonly facetious mood, laughed again, long and shrill. + </p> + <p> + “What are your majesty's commands?” asked the discomfited duke, rather + sulkily. “Is this insulting interloper to go free?” + </p> + <p> + “That is no affair of yours, my lord duke!” answered the spirited voice of + the queen. “Be good enough to finish Lord Gloucester's trial; and until + then I will be responsible for the safekeeping of Sir Norman Kingsley.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that, he is to go free eh, your majesty?” said the dwarf, + laughing to that extent that he ran the risk of rupturing an artery. + </p> + <p> + “After that, it shall be precisely as I please!” replied the ringing + voice; while the black eyes flashed anything but loving glances upon him. + “While I am queen here, I shall be obeyed; when I am queen no longer, you + may do as you please! My lords” (turning her passionate, beautiful face to + the hushed audience), “am I or am I not sovereign here!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you alone are our sovereign lady and queen!” + </p> + <p> + “Then, when I condescend to command, you shall obey! Do you, your + highness, and you, lord duke, go on with the Earl of Gloucester's trial, + and I will be the stranger's jailer.” + </p> + <p> + “She is right,” said the dwarf, his fierce little eyes gleaming with a + malignant light; “let us do one thing before another; and after we have + settled Gloucester here, we will attend to this man's case. Guards keep a + sharp eye on your new prisoner. Ladies and gentlemen, be good enough to + resume your seats. Now, your grace, continue the trial.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did we leave off?” inquired his grace, looking rather at a loss, + and scowling vengeance dire at the handsome queen and her handsome + protege, as he sank back in his chair of state. + </p> + <p> + “The earl was confessing his guilt, or about to do so. Pray, my lord,” + said the dwarf, glaring upon the pallid prisoner, “were you not saying you + had betrayed us to the king?” + </p> + <p> + A breathless silence followed the question—everybody seemed to hold + his very breath to listen. Even the queen leaned forward and awaited the + answer eagerly, and the many eyes that had been riveted on Sir Norman + since his entrance, left him now for the first time and settled on the + prisoner. A piteous spectacle that prisoner was—his face whiter than + the snowy nymphs behind the throne, and so distorted with fear, fury, and + guilt, that it looked scarcely human. Twice he opened his eyes to reply, + and twice all sounds died away in a choking gasp. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear his highness?” sharply inquired the lord high chancellor, + reaching over the great seal, and giving the unhappy Earl of Gloucester a + rap on the head with it, “Why do you not answer?” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon! Pardon!” exclaimed the earl, in a husky whisper. “Do not believe + the tales they tell you of me. For Heaven's sake, spare my life!” + </p> + <p> + “Confess!” thundered the dwarf, striking the table with his clinched fist, + until all the papers thereon jumped spasmodically into the air-“confess at + once, or I shall run you through where you stand!” + </p> + <p> + The earl, with a perfect screech of terror, flung himself flat upon his + face and hands before the queen, with such force, that Sir Norman expected + to see his countenance make a hole in the floor. + </p> + <p> + “O madame! spare me! spare me! spare me! Have mercy on me as you hope for + mercy yourself!” + </p> + <p> + She recoiled, and drew back her very garments from his touch, as if that + touch was pollution, eyeing him the while with a glance frigid and + pitiless as death. + </p> + <p> + “There is no mercy for traitors!” she coldly said. “Confess your guilt, + and expect no pardon from me!” + </p> + <p> + “Lift him up!” shouted the dwarf, clawing the air with his hands, as if he + could have clawed the heart out of his victim's body; “back with him to + his place, guards, and see that he does not leave it again!” + </p> + <p> + Squirming, and writhing, and twisting himself in their grasp, in very + uncomfortable and eel-like fashion, the earl was dragged back to his + place, and forcibly held there by two of the guards, while his face grew + so ghastly and convulsed that Sir Norman turned away his head, and could + not bear to look at it. + </p> + <p> + “Confess!” once more yelled the dwarf in a terrible voice, while his still + more terrible eyes flashed sparks of fire—“confess, or by all that's + sacred it shall be tortured out of you. Guards, bring me the thumb-screws, + and let us see if they will not exercise the dumb devil by which our + ghastly friend is possessed!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no!” shrieked the earl, while the foam flew from his lips. “I + confess! I confess! I confess!” + </p> + <p> + “Good! And what do you confess?” said the duke blandly, leaning forward, + while the dwarf fell back with a yell of laughter at the success of his + ruse. + </p> + <p> + “I confess all—everything—anything! only spare my life!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you confess to having told Charles, King of England, the secrets of + our kingdom and this place?” said the duke, sternly rapping down the + petition with a roll of parchment. + </p> + <p> + The earl grew, if possible, a more ghastly white. “I do—I must! but + oh! for the love of—” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind love,” cut in the inexorable duke, “it is a subject that has + nothing whatever to do with the present case. Did you or did you not + receive for the aforesaid information a large sum of money?” + </p> + <p> + “I did; but my lord, my lord, spare—” + </p> + <p> + “Which sum of money you have concealed,” continued the duke, with another + frown and a sharp rap. “Now the question is, where have you concealed it?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you, with all my heart, only spare my life!” + </p> + <p> + “Tell us first, and we will think about your life afterward. Let me advise + you as a friend, my lord, to tell at once, and truthfully,” said the duke, + toying negligently with the thumb-screws. + </p> + <p> + “It is buried at the north corner of the old wall at the head of + Bradshaw's grave. You shall have that and a thousandfold more if you'll + only pardon—” + </p> + <p> + “Enough!” broke in the dwarf, with the look and tone of an exultant demon. + “That is all we want! My lord duke, give me the death-warrant, and while + her majesty signs it, I will pronounce his doom!” + </p> + <p> + The duke handed him a roll of parchment, which he glanced critically over, + and handed to the queen for her autograph. That royal lady spread the + vellum on her knee, took the pen and affixed her signature as coolly as if + she were inditing a sonnet in an album. Then his highness, with a face + that fairly scintillated with demoniac delight, stood up and fixed his + eyes on the ghastly prisoner, and spoke in a voice that reverberated like + the tolling of a death-bell through the room. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Gloucester, you have been tried by a council of your + fellow-peers, presided over by her royal self, and found guilty of high + treason. Your sentence is that you be taken hence, immediately, to the + block, and there be beheaded, in punishment of your crime.” + </p> + <p> + His highness wound up this somewhat solemn speech, rather inconsistently, + bursting out into one of his shrillest peals of laughter; and the + miserable Earl of Gloucester, with a gasping, unearthly cry, fell back in + the arms of the attendants. Dead and oppressive silence reigned; and Sir + Norman, who half believed all along the whole thing was a farce, began to + feel an uncomfortable sense of chill creeping over him, and to think that, + though practical jokes were excellent things in their way, there was yet a + possibility of carrying them a little too far. The disagreeable silence + was first broken by the dwarf, who, after gloating for a moment over his + victim's convulsive spasms, sprang nimbly from his chair of dignity and + held out his arm for the queen. The queen arose, which seemed to be a sign + for everybody else to do the same, and all began forming themselves in a + sort of line of march. + </p> + <p> + “What is to be done with this other prisoner, your highness?” inquired the + duke, making a poke with his forefinger at Sir Norman. “Is he to stay + here, or is he to accompany us?” + </p> + <p> + His highness turned round, and putting his face close up to Sir Norman's + favored him with a malignant grin. + </p> + <p> + “You'd like to come, wouldn't you, my dear young friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Really,” said Sir Norman, drawing back and returning the dwarf's stare + with compound interest, “that depends altogether on the nature of the + entertainment; but, at the same time, I'm much obliged to you for + consulting my inclinations.” + </p> + <p> + This reply nearly overset his highness's gravity once more, but he checked + his mirth after the first irresistible squeal; and finding the company + were all arranged in the order of going, and awaiting his sovereign + pleasure, he turned. + </p> + <p> + “Let him come,” he said, with his countenance still distorted by inward + merriment; “It will do him good to see how we punish offenders here, and + teach him what he is to expect himself. Is your majesty ready?” + </p> + <p> + “My majesty has been ready and waiting for the last five minutes,” replied + the lady, over-looking his proffered hand with grand disdain, and stepping + lightly down from her throne. + </p> + <p> + Her rising was the signal for the unseen band to strike up a grand + triumphant “Io paean,” though, had the “Rogue's March” been a popular + melody in those times, it would have suited the procession much more + admirably. The queen and the dwarf went first, and a vivid contrast they + were—she so young, so beautiful, so proud, so disdainfully cold; he + so ugly, so stunted, so deformed, so fiendish. After them went the band of + sylphs in white, then the chancellor, archbishop, and embassadors; next + the whole court of ladies and gentlemen; and after them Sir Norman, in the + custody of two of the soldiers. The condemned earl came last, or rather + allowed himself to be dragged by his four guards; for he seemed to have + become perfectly palsied and dumb with fear. Keeping time to the + triumphant march, and preserving dismal silence, the procession wound its + way along the room and through a great archway heretofore hidden by the + tapestry now lifted lightly by the nymphs. A long stone passage, carpeted + with crimson and gold, and brilliantly illuminated like the grand saloon + they had left, was thus revealed, and three similar archways appeared at + the extremity, one to the right and left, and one directly before them. + The procession passed through the one to the left, and Sir Norman started + in dismay to find himself in the most gloomy apartment he had ever beheld + in his life. It was all covered with black—walls, ceiling, and floor + were draped in black, and reminded him forcibly of La Masque's chamber of + horrors, only this was more repellant. It was lighted, or rather the gloom + was troubled, by a few spectral tapers of black wax in ebony candlesticks, + that seemed absolutely to turn black, and make the horrible place more + horrible. There was no furniture—neither couch, chair, nor table + nothing but a sort of stage at the upper end of the room, with something + that looked like a seat upon it, and both were shrouded with the same + dismal drapery. But it was no seat; for everybody stood, arranging + themselves silently and noiselessly around the walls, with the queen and + the dwarf at their head, and near this elevation stood a tall, black + statue, wearing a mask, and leaning on a bright, dreadful, glittering axe. + The music changed to an unearthly dirge, so weird and blood-curdling, that + Sir Norman could have put his hands over his ear-drums to shut out the + ghastly sound. The dismal room, the voiceless spectators, the black + spectre with the glittering axe, the fearful music, struck a chill to his + inmost heart. + </p> + <p> + Could it be possible they were really going to murder the unhappy wretch? + and could all those beautiful ladies—could that surpassingly + beautiful queen, stand there serenely unmoved, to witness such a crime? + While he yet looked round in horror, the doomed man, already apparently + almost dead with fear, was dragged forward by his guards. Paralyzed as he + was, at sight of the stage which he knew to be the scaffold, he uttered + shriek after shriek of frenzied despair, and struggled like a madman to + get free. But as well might Laocoon have struggled in the folds of the + serpent; they pulled him on, bound him hand and foot, and held his head + forcibly down on the block. + </p> + <p> + The black spectre moved—the dwarf made a signal—the glittering + axe was raised—fell—a scream was cut in two—a bright jet + of blood spouted up in the soldiers faces, blinding them; the axe fell + again, and the Earl of Gloucester was minus that useful and ornamental + appendage, a head. + </p> + <p> + It was all over so quickly, that Sir Norman could scarcely believe his + horrified senses, until the deed was done. The executioner threw a black + cloth over the bleeding trunk, and held up the grizzly head by the hair; + and Sir Norman could have sworn the features moved, and the dead eyes + rolled round the room. + </p> + <p> + “Behold!” cried the executioner, striking the convulsed face with the palm + of his open hand, “the fate of all traitors!” + </p> + <p> + “And of all spies!” exclaimed the dwarf, glaring with his fiendish eyes + upon the appalled Sir Norman. “Keep your axe sharp and bright, Mr. + Executioner, for before morning dawns there is another gentleman here to + be made shorter by a head.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. DOOM. + </h2> + <p> + “Let us go,” said the queen, glancing at the revolting sight, and turning + away with a shudder of repulsion. “Faugh! The sight of blood has made me + sick.” + </p> + <p> + “And taken away my appetite for supper,” added a youthful and elegant + beauty beside her. “My Lord Gloucester was hideous enough when living, + but, mon Dieu! he is ten times more so when dead!” + </p> + <p> + “Your ladyship will not have the same story to tell of yonder stranger, + when he shares the same fate in an hour or two!” said the dwarf, with a + malicious grin; “for I heard you remarking upon his extreme beauty when he + first appeared.” + </p> + <p> + The lady laughed and bowed, and turned her bright eyes upon Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “True! It is almost a pity to cut such a handsome head off—is it + not? I wish I had a voice in your highness's council, and I know what I + should do.” + </p> + <p> + “What, Lady Mountjoy?” + </p> + <p> + “Entreat him to swear fealty, and become one of us; and—” + </p> + <p> + “And a bridegroom for your ladyship?” suggested the queen, with a curling + lip. “I think if Sir Norman Kingsley knew Lady Mountjoy as well as I do, + he would even prefer the block to such a fate!” + </p> + <p> + Lady Mountjoy's brilliant eyes shone like two angry meteors; but she + merely bowed and laughed; and the laugh was echoed by the dwarf in his + shrillest falsetto. + </p> + <p> + “Does your highness intend remaining here all night?” demanded the queen, + rather fiercely. “If not, the sooner we leave this ghastly place the + better. The play is over, and supper is waiting.” + </p> + <p> + With which the royal virago made an imperious motion for her attendant + sprites in gossamer white to precede her, and turned with her accustomed + stately step to follow. The music immediately changed from its doleful + dirge to a spirited measure, and the whole company flocked after her, back + to the great room of state. There they all paused, hovering in uncertainty + around the room, while the queen, holding her purple train up lightly in + one hand, stood at the foot of the throne, glancing at them with her cold, + haughty and beautiful eyes. In their wandering, those same darkly-splendid + eyes glanced and lighted on Sir Norman, who, in a state of seeming stupor + at the horrible scene he had just witnessed, stood near the green table, + and they sent a thrill through him with their wonderful resemblance to + Leoline's. So vividly alike were they, that he half doubted for a moment + whether she and Leoline were not really one; but no—Leoline never + could have had the cold, cruel heart to stand and witness such a horrible + sight. Miranda's dark, piercing glance fell as haughtily and disdainfully + on him as it had on the rest; and his heart sank as he thought that + whatever sympathy she had felt for him was entirely gone. It might have + been a whim, a woman's caprice, a spirit of contradiction, that had + induced her to defend him at first. Whatever it was, and it mattered not + now, it had completely vanished. No face of marble could have been colder, + or stonier, or harder, than hers, as she looked at him out of the depths + of her great dark eyes; and with that look, his last lingering hope of + life vanished. + </p> + <p> + “And now for the next trial!” exclaimed the dwarf, briskly breaking in + upon his drab-colored meditations, and bustling past. “We will get it over + at once, and have done with it!” + </p> + <p> + “You will do no such thing!” said the imperious voice of the queenly + shrew. “We will have neither trials nor anything else until after supper, + which has already been delayed four full minutes. My lord chamberlain, + have the goodness to step in and see that all is in order.” + </p> + <p> + One of the gilded and decorated gentlemen whom sir Norman had mistaken for + ambassadors stepped off, in obedience, through another opening in the + tapestry—which seemed to be as extensively undermined with such + apertures as a cabman's coat with capes—and, while he was gone, the + queen stood drawn up to her full height, with her scornful face looking + down on the dwarf. That small man knit up his very plain face into a + bristle of the sourest kinks, and frowned sulky disapproval at an order + which he either would not, or dared not, countermand. Probably the latter + had most to do with it, as everybody looked hungry and mutinous, and a + great deal more eager for their supper than the life of Sir Norman + Kingsley. + </p> + <p> + “Your majesty, the royal banquet is waiting,” insinuated the lord high + chamberlain, returning, and bending over until his face and his shoe + buckles almost touched. + </p> + <p> + “And what is to be done with this prisoner, while we are eating it?” + growled the dwarf, looking drawn swords at his liege lady. + </p> + <p> + “He can remain here under care of the guards, can he not?” she retorted + sharply. “Or, if you are afraid they are not equal to taking care of him, + you had better stay and watch him yourself.” + </p> + <p> + With which answer, her majesty sailed majestically away, leaving the + gentleman addressed to follow or not, as he pleased. It pleased him to do + so, on the whole; and he went after her, growling anathemas between his + royal teeth, and evidently in the same state of mind that induces + gentlemen in private life to take sticks to their aggravating spouses, + under similar circumstances. However, it might not be just the thing, + perhaps, for kings and queens to take broom-sticks to settle their little + differences of opinion, like common Christians; and so the prince + peaceably followed her, and entered the salle a manger with the rest, and + Sir Norman and his keepers were left in the hall of state, monarchs of all + they surveyed. Notwithstanding he knew his hours were numbered, the young + knight could not avoid feeling curious, and the tapestry having been drawn + aside, he looked through the arch with a good deal of interest. + </p> + <p> + The apartment was smaller than the one in which he stood—though + still very large, and instead of being all crimson and gold, was glancing + and glittering with blue and silver. These azure hangings were of satin, + instead of velvet, and looked quite light and cool, compared to the hot, + glowing place where he was. The ceiling was spangled over with silver + stars, with the royal arms quartered in the middle, and the chairs were of + white, polished wood, gleaming like ivory, and cushioned with blue satin. + The table was of immense length, as it had need to be, and flashed and + sparkled in the wax lights with heaps of gold and silver plate, cut-glass, + and precious porcelain. Golden and crimson wines shone in the carved + decanters; great silver baskets of fruit were strewn about, with piles of + cakes and confectionery—not to speak of more solid substantials, + wherein the heart of every true Englishman delighteth. The queen sat in a + great, raised chair at the head, and helped herself without paying much + attention to anybody, and the remainder were ranged down its length, + according to their rank—which, as they were all pretty much dukes + and duchesses, was about equal. + </p> + <p> + The spirits of the company—depressed for a moment by the unpleasant + little circumstance of seeing one of their number beheaded—seemed to + revive under the spirituous influence of sherry, sack, and burgundy; and + soon they were laughing, and chatting, and hobnobbing, as animatedly as + any dinner-party Sir Norman had ever seen. The musicians, too, appeared to + be in high feather, and the merriest music of the day assisted the noble + banqueters' digestion. + </p> + <p> + Under ordinary circumstances, it was rather a tantalizing scene to stand + aloof and contemplate; and so the guards very likely felt; but Sir + Norman's thoughts were of that room in black, the headsman's axe, and + Leoline. He felt he would never see her again—never see the sun rise + that was to shine on their bridal; and he wondered what she would think of + him, and if she was destined to fall into the hands of Lord Rochester or + Count L'Estrange. As a general thing, our young friend was not given to + melancholy moralizing, but in the present case, with the headsman's axe + poised like the sword of Damocles above him by a single hair, he may be + pardoned for reflecting that this world is all a fleeting show, and that + he had got himself into a scrape, to which the plague was a trifle. And + yet, with nervous impatience, he wished the dinner and his trial were + over, his fate sealed, and his life ended at once, since it was to be + ended soon. For the fulfillment of the first wish, he had not long to + wait; the feast, though gay and grand, was of the briefest, and they could + have scarcely been half an hour gone when they were all back. + </p> + <p> + Everybody seemed in better humor, too, after the refection, but the queen + and the dwarf—the former looked colder, and harder, and more like a + Labrador iceberg tricked out in purple velvet, than ever, and his highness + was grinning from ear to ear—which was the very worst possible sign. + Not even her majesty could make the slightest excuse for delaying the + trial now; and, indeed, that eccentric lady seemed to have no wish to do + so, had she the power, but seated herself in silent disdain of them all, + and dropping her long lashes over her dark eyes, seemed to forget there + was anybody in existence but herself. + </p> + <p> + His highness and his nobles took their stations of authority behind the + green table, and summoned the guards to lead the prisoner up before them, + which was done; while the rest of the company were fluttering down into + their seats, and evidently about to pay the greatest attention. The cases + in this midnight court seemed to be conducted on a decidedly original + plan, and with an easy rapidity that would have electrified any other + court, ancient or modern. Sir Norman took his stand, and eyed his judges + with a look half contemptuous, half defiant; and the proceedings commenced + by the dwarf a leaning forward and breaking into a roar of laughter, right + in his face. + </p> + <p> + “My little friend I warned you before not to be so facetious,” said Sir + Norman, regarding him quietly; “a rush of mirth to the brain will + certainly be the death of you one of these day.” + </p> + <p> + “No levity, young man!” interposed the lord chancellor, rebukingly; + “remember, you are addressing His Royal Highness Prince Caliban, Spouse, + and Consort of Her Most Gracious Majesty, Miranda!” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! Then all I have to say, is, that her majesty has very bad taste + in the selection of a husband, unless, indeed, her wish was to marry the + ugliest man in the world, as she herself is the most beautiful of women!” + </p> + <p> + Her majesty took not the slightest notice of this compliment, not so much + as a flatter of her drooping eye-lashes betrayed that she even heard it, + but his highness laughed until he was perfectly hoarse. + </p> + <p> + “Silence!” shouted the duke, shocked and indignant at this glaring + disrespect, “and answer truthfully the questions put to you. Your name, + you say, is Sir Norman Kingsley?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Has your grace any objection to it?” + </p> + <p> + His grace waved down the interruption with a dignified wave of the hand, + and went on with severe judicial dignity. + </p> + <p> + “You are the same who shot Lord Ashley between this and the city, some + hours ago?” + </p> + <p> + “I had the pleasure of shooting a highwayman there, and my only regret is, + I did not perform the same good office by his companion, in the person of + your noble self, before you turned and fled.” + </p> + <p> + A slight titter ran round the room, and the duke turned crimson. + </p> + <p> + “These remarks are impertinent, and not to the purpose. You are the + murderer of Lord Ashley, let that suffice. Probably you were on your way + hither when you did the deed?” + </p> + <p> + “He was,” said the dwarf, vindictively. “I met him at the Golden Crown but + a short time after.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, that is another point settled, and either of them is strong + enough to seal his death warrant. You came here as a spy, to see and hear + and report—probably you were sent by King Charles?” + </p> + <p> + “Probably—just think as you please about it!” said Sir Norman, who + knew his case was as desperate as it could be, and was quite reckless what + he answered. + </p> + <p> + “You admit that you are a spy, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No such thing. I have owned nothing. As I told you before, you are + welcome to put what construction you please on my actions.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley, this is nonsensical equivocation! You own you came + to hear and see?” + </p> + <p> + “Well!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, hearing and seeing constitute spying, do they not? Therefore, you + are a spy.” + </p> + <p> + “I confess it looks like it. What next?” + </p> + <p> + “Need you ask What is the fate of all spies?” + </p> + <p> + “No matter what they are in other places, I am pretty certain what they + are here!” + </p> + <p> + “And that is?” + </p> + <p> + “A room in black, and a chop with an axe—the Earl of Gloucester's + fate, in a word!” + </p> + <p> + “You have said it! Have you any reason why such a sentence should not be + pronounced on you?” + </p> + <p> + “None; pronounce it as soon as you like.” + </p> + <p> + “With the greatest pleasure!” said the duke, who had been scrawling on + another ominous roll of vellum, and now passed it to the dwarf. “I never + knew anyone it gave me more delight to condemn. Will your highness pass + that to her majesty for signature, and pronounce his sentence.” + </p> + <p> + His highness, with a grin of most exquisite delight, did as directed; and + Sir Norman looked steadfastly at the queen as she received it. One of the + gauzy nymphs presented it to her, kneeling, and she took it with a look + half bored, half impatient, and lightly scrawled her autograph. The long, + dark lashes did not lift; no change passed over the calm, cold face, as + icily placid as a frozen lake in the moonlight—evidently the life or + death of the stranger was less than nothing to her. To him she, too, was + as nothing, or nearly so; but yet there was a sharp jarring pain at his + heart, as he saw that fair hand, that had saved him once, so coolly sign + his death warrant now. But there was little time left for to watch her; + for, as she pushed it impatiently away, and relapsed into her former proud + listlessness, the dwarf got up with one of his death's-head grins, and + began: + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley, you have been tried and convicted as a spy, and the + paid-hireling of the vindictive and narrow-minded Charles; and the + sentence of this court, over which I have the honor to preside, is, that + you be taken hence immediately to the place of execution, and there lose + your head by the axe!” + </p> + <p> + “And a mighty small loss it will be!” remarked the duke to himself, in a + sort of parenthesis, as the dwarf concluded his pleasant observation by + thrusting himself forward across the table, after his rather discomposing + fashion, and breaking out into one of his diabolical laughter-claps. + </p> + <p> + The queen, who had been sitting passive, and looking as if she were in + spirit a thousand miles away, now started up with sharp suddenness, and + favored his highness with one of her fieriest fiery glances. + </p> + <p> + “Will your highness just permit somebody else to have a voice in that + matter? How many more trials are to come on tonight?” + </p> + <p> + “Only one,” replied the duke, glancing over a little roll which he held; + “Lady Castlemaine's, for poisoning the Duchess of Sutherland.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is my Lady Castlemaine's fate to be?” + </p> + <p> + “The same as our friend's here, in all probability,” nodding easily, not + to say playfully, at Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “And how long will her trial last?” + </p> + <p> + “Half an hour, or thereabouts. There are some secrets in the matter that + have to be investigated, and which will require some time.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let all the trials be over first, and all the beheadings take place + together. We don't choose to take the trouble of traveling to the Black + Chamber just to see his head chopped off, and then have the same journey + to undergo half an hour after, for a similar purpose. Call Lady + Castlemaine, and let this prisoner be taken to one of the dungeons, and + there remain until the time for execution. Guards, do you hear? Take him + away!” + </p> + <p> + The dwarf's face grew black as a thunder-cloud, and he jumped to his feet + and confronted the queen with a look so intensely ugly that no other + earthly face could have assumed it. But that lady merely met it with one + of cold disdain and aversion, and, keeping her dark bright eyes fixed + chillingly upon him, waved her white hand, in her imperious way, to the + guards. Those warlike gentlemen knew better than to disobey her most + gracious majesty when she happened to be, like Mrs. Joe Gargary, on the + “rampage,” which, if her flashing eye and a certain expression about her + handsome mouth spoke the truth, must have been twenty hours out of the + twenty-four. As the soldiers approached to lead him away, Sir Norman tried + to catch her eye; but in vain, for she kept those brilliant optics most + unwinkingly fixed on the dwarf's face. + </p> + <p> + “Call Lady Castlemaine,” commanded the duke, as Sir Norman with his guards + passed through the doorway leading to the Black Chamber. “Your highness, I + presume, is ready to attend to her case.” + </p> + <p> + “Before I attend to hers or any one else's case,” said the dwarf, hopping + over the table like an overgrown toad, “I will first see that this guest + of ours is properly taken care, of, and does not leave us without the + ceremony of saying good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + With which, he seized one of the wax candles, and trotted, with rather + unprincely haste, after Sir Norman and his conductors. The young knight + had been led down the same long passage he had walked through before; but + instead of entering the chamber of horrors, they passed through the centre + arch, and found themselves in another long, vaulted corridor, dimly lit by + the glow of the outer one. It was as cold and dismal a place, Sir Norman + thought, as he had ever seen; and it had an odor damp and earthy, and of + the grave. It had two or three great, ponderous doors on either side, + fastened with huge iron bolts; and before one of these his conductors + paused. Just as they did so, the glimmer of the dwarf's taper pierced the + gloom, and the next moment, smiling from ear to ear, he was by their side. + </p> + <p> + “Down with the bars!” he cried. “This is the one for him—the + strongest and safest of them all. Now, my dashing courtier, you will see + how tenderly your little friend provides for his favorites!” + </p> + <p> + If Sir Norman made any reply, it was drowned in the rattle and clank of + the massive bars, and is hopelessly lost to posterity. The huge door swung + back; but nothing was visible but a sort of black velvet pall, and + effluvia much stronger than sweet. Involuntarily he recoiled as one of the + guards made a motion for him to enter. + </p> + <p> + “I Shove him in! shove him in!” shrieked the dwarf, who was getting so + excited with glee that he was dancing about in a sort of jig of delight. + “In with him—in with him! If he won't go peaceably, kick him in + head-foremost!” + </p> + <p> + “I would strongly advise them not to try it,” said Sir Norman, as he + stepped into the blackness, “if they have any regard for their health! It + does not make much difference after all, my little friend, whether I spend + the next half-hour in the inky blackness of this place or the blood-red + grandeur of your royal court. My little friend, until we meet again, + permit me to say, au revoir.” + </p> + <p> + The dwarf laughed in his pleasant way, and pushed the candle cautiously + inside the door. + </p> + <p> + “Good-by for a little while, my dear young sir, and while the headsmen is + sharpening his axe, I'll leave you to think about your little friend. Lest + you should lack amusement, I'll leave you a light to contemplate your + apartment; and for fear you may get lonesome, these two gentlemen will + stand outside your door, with their swords drawn, till I come back. + Good-by, my dear young sir—good-bye!” + </p> + <p> + The dungeon-door swung to with a tremendous bang Sir Norman was barred in + his prison to await his doom and the dwarf was skipping along the passage + with sprightliness, laughing as he went. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. ESCAPED. + </h2> + <p> + Probably not one of you; my dear friends, who glance graciously over this, + was ever shut up in a dungeon under expectation of bearing the unpleasant + operation of decapitation within half an hour. It never happened to + myself, either, that I can recollect; so, of course, you or I personally + can form no idea what the sensation may be like; but in this particular + case, tradition saith Sir Norman Kingsley's state of mind was decidedly + depressed. As the door shut violently, he leaned against it, and listened + to his jailers place the great bars into their sockets, and felt he was + shut in, in the dreariest, darkest, dismalest, disagreeablest place that + it had ever been his misfortune to enter. He thought of Leoline, and + reflected that in all probability she was sleeping the sleep of the just—perhaps + dreaming of him, and little knowing that his head was to be cut off in + half an hour. + </p> + <p> + In course of time morning would come—it was not likely the ordinary + course of nature would be cut off because he was; and Leoline would get up + and dress herself, and looking a thousand times prettier than ever, stand + at the window and wait for him. Ah! she might wait—much good would + it do her; about that time he would probably be—where? It was a + rather uncomfortable question, but easily answered, and depressed him to a + very desponding degree indeed. + </p> + <p> + He thought of Ormiston and La Masque—no doubt they were billing and + cooing in most approved fashion just then, and never thinking of him; + though, but for La Masque and his own folly, he might have been half + married by this time. He thought of Count L'Estrange and Master Hubert, + and become firmly convinced, if one did not find Leoline the other would; + and each being equally bad, it was about a toss up in agony which got her. + </p> + <p> + He thought of Queen Miranda, and of the adage, “put no trust in princes,” + and sighed deeply as he reflected what a bad sign of human nature it was—more + particularly such handsome human nature—that she could, figuratively + speaking, pat him on the back one moment, and kick him to the scaffold the + next. He thought, dejectedly, what a fool he was ever to have come back; + or even having come back, not to have taken greater pains to stay up + aloft, instead of pitching abruptly head-foremost into such a select + company without an invitation. He thought, too, what a cold, damp, + unwholesome chamber they had lodged him in, and how apt he would be to + have a bad attack of ague and miasmatic fever, if they would only let him + live long enough to enjoy those blessings. And this having brought him to + the end of his melancholy meditation, he began to reflect how he could + best amuse himself in the interim, before quitting this vale of tears. The + candle was still blinking feebly on the floor, shedding tears of wax in + its feeble prostration, and it suddenly reminded him of the dwarf's advice + to examine his dark bower of repose. So he picked it up and snuffed it + with his fingers, and held it aloof, much as Robinson Crusoe held the + brand in the dark cavern with the dead goat. + </p> + <p> + In the velvet pall of blackness before alluded to, its small, wan ray + pierced but a few inches, and only made the darkness visible. But Sir + Norman groped his way to the wall, which he found to be all over green and + noisome slime, and broken out into a cold, clammy perspiration, as though + it were at its last gasp. By the aid of his friendly light, for which he + was really much obliged—a fact which, had his little friend known, + he would not have left it—he managed to make the circuit of his + prison, which he found rather spacious, and by no means uninhabited; for + the walls and floor were covered with fat, black beetles, whole families + of which interesting specimens of the insect-world he crunched + remorselessly under foot, and massacred at every step; and great, + depraved-looking rats, with flashing eyes and sinister-teeth, who made + frantic dives and rushes at him, and bit at his jack-boots with fierce, + fury. These small quadrupeds reminded him forcibly of the dwarf, + especially in the region of the eyes and the general expression of + countenance; and he began to reflect that if the dwarf's soul (supposing + him to possess such an article as that, which seemed open to debate) + passed after death into the body of any other animal, it would certainly + be into that of a rat. + </p> + <p> + He had just come to this conclusion, and was applying the flame of the + candle to the nose of an inquisitive beetle, when it struck him he heard + voices in altercation outside his door. One, clear, ringing, and + imperious, yet withal feminine, was certainly not heard for the first + time; and the subdued and respectful voices that answered, were those of + his guards. + </p> + <p> + After a moment, he heard the sound of the withdrawing bolts, and his heart + beat fast. Surely, his half-hour had not already expired; and if it had, + would she be the person to conduct him to death? The door opened; a puff + of wind extinguished his candle, but not until he had caught the glimmer + of jewels, the shining of gold, and the flutter of long, black hair; and + then some one came in. The door was closed; the bolts shot back!—and + he was alone with Miranda, the queen. + </p> + <p> + There was no trouble about recognising her, for she carried in her hand a + small lamp, which she held up between them, that its rays might fall + directly on both faces. Each was rather white, perhaps, and one heart was + going faster than it had ever gone before, and that one was decidedly not + the queen's. She was dressed exactly as he had seen her, in purple and + ermine, in jewels and gold; and strangely out of place she looked there, + in her splendid dress and splendid beauty, among the black beetles and + rats. Her face might have been a dead, blank wall, or cut out of cold, + white stone, for all it expressed; and as she lightly held up her rich + robes in one hand, and in the other bore the light, the dark, shining eyes + were fixed on his face, and were as barren of interest, eagerness, + compassion, tenderness, or any other feeling, as the shining, black glass + ones of a wax doll. So they stood looking at each other for some ten + seconds or so, and then, still looking full at him, Miranda spoke, and her + voice was as clear and emotionless as her eyes, + </p> + <p> + “Well, Sir Norman Kingsley, I have come to see you before you die.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” he stammered, scarcely knowing what he said, “you are kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I? Perhaps you forget I signed your death-warrant.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably it would have been at the risk of your own life to refuse?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing of the kind! Not one of them would hurt a hair of my head if I + refused to sign fifty death-warrants! Now, am I kind?” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely it would have amounted to the same thing in the end—they + would kill me whether you signed it or not; so what does it matter?” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken! They would not kill you; at least, not tonight, if I + had not signed it. They would have let you live until their next meeting, + which will be this night week; and I would have incurred neither risk nor + danger by refusing.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman glanced round the dungeon and shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know that that prospect is much more inviting than the present + one. Even death is preferable to a week's imprisonment in a place like + this.” + </p> + <p> + “But in the meantime you might have escaped.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, look at this stone floor, that stone roof, these solid walls, + that barred and massive door; reflect that I am some forty feet under + ground—cannot perform impossibilities, and then ask yourself how?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman, have you ever heard of good fairies visiting brave knights + and setting them free?” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid the good fairies and brave knights went the way of all flesh + with King Arthur's round table; and even if they were in existence, none + of them would take the trouble to limp down so far to save such an unlucky + dog as I.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you forgive me for what I have done?” + </p> + <p> + “Your majesty, I have nothing to forgive.” + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” she said, scornfully. “Do not mock me here. My majesty, forsooth! + you have but fifteen minutes to live in this world, Sir Norman; and if you + have no better way of spending them, I will tell you a strange story—my + own, and all about this place.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, there is nothing in the world I would like so much to hear.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall hear it, then, and it may beguile the last slow moments of time + before you go out into eternity.” + </p> + <p> + She set her lamp down on the floor among the rats and beetles, and stood + watching the small, red flame a moment with a gloomy, downcast eye; and + Sir Norman, gazing on the beautiful darkening face, so like and yet so + unlike Leoline, stood eagerly awaiting what was to come. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Meantime, the half-hour sped. In the crimson court the last trial was + over, and Lady Castlemaine, a slender little beauty of eighteen stood + condemned to die. + </p> + <p> + “Now for our other prisoner!” exclaimed the dwarf with sprightly + animation; “and while I go to the cell, you, fair ladies, and you my lord, + will seek the black chamber and await our coming there.” + </p> + <p> + Ordering one of his attendants to precede him with a light, the dwarf + skipped jauntily away, to gloat over his victim. He reached the dungeon + door, which the guards, with some trepidation in their countenance, as + they thought of what his highness would say when he found her majesty + locked in with the prisoner, threw open. + </p> + <p> + “Come forth, Sir Norman Kingsley!” shouted the dwarf, rushing in. “Come + forth and meet your doom!” + </p> + <p> + But no Sir Norman Kingsley obeyed the pleasant invitation, and a dull echo + from the darkness alone answered him. There was a lamp burning on the + floor, and near it lay a form, shining and specked with white in the + gloom. He made for it between fear and fury, but there was something red + and slippery on the ground, in which his foot slipped, and he fell. + Simultaneously there was a wild cry from the two guards and the attendant, + that was echoed by a perfect screech of rage from the dwarf, as on looking + down he beheld Queen Miranda lying on the floor in the pool of blood, and + apparently quite dead, and Sir Norman Kingsley gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. IN THE DUNGEON. + </h2> + <p> + The interim between Miranda setting down her lamp on the dungeon floor + among the rats and the beetles, and the dwarf's finding her bleeding and + senseless, was not more than twenty minutes, but a great deal may be done + in twenty minutes judiciously expended, and most decidedly it was so in + the present case. Both rats and beetles paused to contemplate the + flickering lamp, and Miranda paused to contemplate them, and Sir Norman + paused to contemplate her, for an instant or so in silence. Her marvelous + resemblance to Leoline, in all but one thing, struck him more and more—there + was the same beautiful transparent colorless complexion, the same light, + straight, graceful figure, the same small oval delicate features; the same + profuse waves of shining dark hair, the same large, dark, brilliant eyes; + the same, little, rosy pretty mouth, like one of Correggio's smiling + angels. The one thing wanting was expression—in Leoline's face there + was a kind of childlike simplicity; a look half shy, half fearless, half + solemn in her wonderful eyes; but in this, her prototype, there was + nothing shy or solemn; all was cold, hard, and glittering, and the + brooding eyes were full of a dull, dusky fire. She looked as hard and cold + and bitter, as she was beautiful; and Sir Norman began to perplex himself + inwardly as to what had brought her here. Surely not sympathy, for nothing + wearing that face of stone, could even know the meaning of such a word. + While he looked at her, half wonderingly, half pityingly, half tenderly—a + queer word that last, but the feeling was caused by her resemblance to + Leoline—she had been moodily watching an old gray rat, the patriarch + of his tribe, who was making toward her in short runs, stopping between + each one to stare at her, out of his unpleasantly bright eyes. Suddenly, + Miranda shut her teeth, clenched her hands, and with a sort of fierce + suppressed ejaculation, lifted her shining foot and planted it full on the + rat's head. So sudden, so fierce, and so strong, was the stamp, that the + rat was crushed flat, and uttered a sharp and indignant squeal of + expostulation, while Sir Norman looked at her, thinking she had lost her + wits. Still she ground it down with a fiercer and stronger force every + second; and with her eyes still fixed upon it, and blazing with reddish + black flame, she said, in a sort of fiery hiss: + </p> + <p> + “Look at it! The ugly, loathsome thing! Did you ever see anything look + more like him?” + </p> + <p> + There must have been some mysterious rapport between them, for he + understood at once to whom the solitary personal pronoun referred. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, in the general expression of countenance there is rather a + marked resemblance, especially in the region of the teeth and eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Except that the rat's eyes are a thousand times handsomer,” she broke in, + with a derisive laugh. + </p> + <p> + “But as to shape,” resumed Sir Norman, eyeing the excited and astonished + little animal, still shrilly squealing, with the glance of a connoisseur, + “I confess I do not see it! The rat is straight and shapely—which + his highness, with all reverence be it said—is not, but rather the + reverse, if you will not be offended at me for saying so.” + </p> + <p> + She broke into a short laugh that had a hard, metallic ring, and then her + face darkened, blackened, and she ground the foot that crushed the rat + fiercer, and with a sort of passionate vindictiveness, as if she had the + head of the dwarf under her heel. + </p> + <p> + “I hate him! I hate him!” she said, through her clenched teeth and though + her tone was scarcely above a whisper, it was so terrible in its fiery + earnestness that Sir Norman thrilled with repulsion. “Yes, I hate him with + all my heart and soul, and I wish to heaven I had him here, like this rat, + to trample to death under my feet!” + </p> + <p> + Not knowing very well what reply to make to this strong and heartfelt + speech, which rather shocked his notions of female propriety, Sir Norman + stood silent, and looked reflectively after the rat, which, when she + permitted it at last to go free, limped away with an ineffably sneaking + and crest-fallen expression on his hitherto animated features. She watched + it, too, with a gloomy eye, and when it crawled into the darkness and was + gone, she looked up with a face so dark and moody that it was almost + sullen. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I hate him!” she repeated, with a fierce moodiness that was quite + dreadful, “yes, I hate him! and I would kill him, like that rat, if I + could! He has been the curse of my whole life; he has made life cursed to + me; and his heart's blood shall be shed for it some day yet, I swear!” + </p> + <p> + With all her beauty there was something so horrible in the look she wore, + that Sir Norman involuntarily recoiled from her. Her sharp eyes noticed + it, and both grew red and fiery as two devouring flames. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you, too, shrink from me, would you? You, too, recoil in horror! + Ingrate! And I have come to save your life!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I recoil not from you, but from that which is tempting you to + utter words like these. I have no reason to love him of whom you speak—you, + perhaps, have even less; but I would not have his blood, shed in murder, + on my head, for ten thousand worlds! Pardon me, but you do not mean what + you say.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I not? That remains to be seen! I would not call it murder plunging a + knife into the heart of a demon incarnate like that, and I would have done + it long ago and he knows it, too, if I had the chance!” + </p> + <p> + “What has he done to you to make you do bitter against him?” + </p> + <p> + “Bitter! Oh, that word is poor and pitiful to express what I feel when his + name is mentioned. Loathing and hatred come a little nearer the mark, but + even they are weak to express the utter—the—” She stopped in a + sort of white passion that choked her very words. + </p> + <p> + “They told me he was your husband,” insinuated Sir Norman, unutterably + repelled. + </p> + <p> + “Did they?” she said, with a cold sneer, “he is, too—at least as far + as church and state can make him; but I am no more his wife at heart than + I am Satan's. Truly of the two I should prefer the latter, for then I + should be wedded to something grand—a fallen angel; as it is, I have + the honor to be wife to a devil who never was an angel?” + </p> + <p> + At this shocking statement Sir Norman looked helplessly round, as if for + relief; and Miranda, after a moment's silence, broke into another + mirthless laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Of all the pictures of ugliness you ever saw or heard of, Sir Norman + Kingsley, do tell me if there ever was one of them half so repulsive or + disgusting as that thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Really,” said Sir Norman, in a subdued tone, “he is not the most + prepossessing little man in the world; but, madame, you do look and speak + in a manner quite dreadful. Do let me prevail on you to calm yourself, and + tell me your story, as you promised.” + </p> + <p> + “Calm myself!” repeated the gentle lady, in a tone half snappish, half + harsh, “do you think I am made of iron, to tell you my story and be calm? + I hate him! I hate him! I would kill him if I could: and if you, Sir + Norman, are half the man I take you to be, you will rid the world of the + horrible monster before morning dawns!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear lady, you seem to forget that the case is reversed, and that he + is going to rid the world of me,” said Sir Norman, with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “No, not if you do as I tell you; and when I have told you how much cause + I have to abhor him, you will agree with me that killing him will be no + murder! Oh, if there is One above who rules this world, and will judge us + all, why, why does He permit such monsters to live?” + </p> + <p> + “Because He is more merciful than his creatures,” replied Sir Norman, with + calm reverence,—“though His avenging hand is heavy on this doomed + city. But, madame, time is on the wing, and the headsman will be here + before your story is told.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that story! How am I to tell it, I wonder, two words will comprise it + all—sin and misery—misery and sin! For, buried alive here, as + I am—buried alive, as I've always been—I know what both words + mean; they have been branded on heart and brain in letters of fire. And + that horrible monstrosity is the cause of all—that loathsome, + misshapen, hideous abortion has banned and cursed my whole life! He is my + first recollection. As far back as I can look through the dim eye of + childhood's years, that horrible face, that gnarled and twisted trunk, + those devilish eyes glare at me like the eyes and face of a wild beast. As + memory grows stronger and more vivid, I can see that same face still—the + dwarf! the dwarf! the dwarf!—Satan's true representative on earth, + darkening and blighting ever passing year. I do not know where we lived, + but I imagine it to have been one of the vilest and lowest dens in London, + though the rooms I occupied were, for that matter, decent and orderly + enough. Those rooms the daylight never entered, the windows were boarded + up within, and fastened by shutters without, so that of the world beyond I + was as ignorant as a child of two hours old. I saw but two human faces, + his”—she seemed to hate him too much even to pronounce his name—“and + his housekeeper's, a creature almost as vile as himself, and who is now a + servant here; and with this precious pair to guard me I grew up to be + fifteen years old. My outer life consisted of eating, sleeping, reading—for + the wretch taught me to read—playing with my dogs and birds, and + listening to old Margery's stories. But there was an inward life, fierce + and strong, as it was rank and morbid, lived and brooded over alone, when + Margery and her master fancied me sleeping in idiotic content. How were + they to know that the creature they had reared and made ever had a thought + of her own—ever wondered who she was, where she came from, what she + was destined to be, and what lay in the great world beyond? The crooked + little monster made a great mistake in teaching me to read, he should have + known that books sow seed that grow up and flourish tall and green, till + they become giants in strength. I knew enough to be certain there was a + bright and glad world without, from which they shut me in and debarred me; + and I knew enough to hate them both for it, with a strong and heartfelt + hatred, only second to what I feel now.” + </p> + <p> + She stopped for a moment, and fixed her dark, gloomy eyes on the swarming + floor, and shook off, with out a shudder, the hideous things that crawled + over her rich dress. She had scarcely looked at Sir Norman since she began + to speak, but he had done enough looking for them both, never once taking + his eyes from the handsome darkening face. He thought how strangely like + her story was to Leoline's—both shut in and isolated from the outer + world. Verily, destiny seemed to have woven the woof and warp of their + fates wonderfully together, for their lives were as much the same as their + faces. Miranda, having shook off her crawling acquaintances, watched them + glancing along the foul floor in the darkness, and went moodily on. + </p> + <p> + “It was three years ago when I was fifteen years old, as I told you, that + a change took place in my life. Up to that time, that miserable dwarf was + what people would call my guardian, and did not trouble me much with his + heavenly company. He was a great deal from our house, sometimes absent for + weeks together; and I remember I used to envy the freedom with which he + came and went, far more than I ever wondered where he spent his precious + time. I did not know then that he belonged to the honorable profession of + highwaymen, with variations of coining when travelers were few and money + scarce. He was then, and is still, at the head of a formidable gang, over + whom he wields most desperate authority—as perhaps you have noticed + during the brief and pleasant period of your acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “Really, madam, it struck me that your authority over them was much more + despotic than his,” said Sir Norman, in all sincerity, feeling called upon + to give the—well, I'd rather not repeat the word, which is generally + spelled with a d and a dash—his due. + </p> + <p> + “No thanks to him for that! He would make me a slave now, as he did then, + if he dared, but he has found that, poor, trodden worm as I was, I had + life enough left to turn and sting.” + </p> + <p> + “Which you do with a vengeance! Oh! you're a Tartar!” remarked Sir Norman + to himself. “The saints forefend that Leoline should be like you in + temper, as she is in history and face; for if she is, my life promises to + be a pleasant one.” + </p> + <p> + “This rascally crew of cut-throats, whom his villainous highness headed,” + said Miranda, “were an almost immense number then, being divided in three + bodies—London cut-purses, Hounslow Heath highwaymen, and + assistant-coiners, but all owning him for their lord and master. He told + me all this himself, one day when, in an after-dinner and most gracious + mood, he made a boasting display of his wealth and greatness; told me I + was growing up very pretty indeed, and that I was shortly to be raised to + the honor and dignity, and bliss of being his wife. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy I must have had a very vague idea of what that one small word + meant, and was besides in an unusually contented and peaceful state of + mind, or I should, undoubtedly, have raised one of his cut-glass decanters + and smashed in his head with it. I know how I should receive such an + assertion from him now, but I think I took it then with a resignation, he + must have found mighty edifying; and when he went on to tell me that all + this richness and greatness were to be shared by me when that celestial + time came, I think I rather liked the idea than otherwise. The horrible + creature seemed to have woke up that day, for the first time, and all of a + sudden, to a conviction that I was in a fair way to become a woman, and + rather a handsome one, and that he had better make sure of me before any + accident interfered to take me from him. Full of this laudable notion, he + became a daily visitor of mine from thenceforth, and made the discovery, + simultaneously with myself, that the oftener he came the less favor he + found in my sight. I had, before, tacitly disliked him, and shrank with a + natural repulsion from his dreadful ugliness; but now, from negative + dislike, I grew to positive hate. The utter loathing and abhorrence I have + had for him ever since, began then—I grew dimly and intuitively + conscious of what he would make me, and shrank from my fate with a vague + horror not to be told in words. I became strong in my fearful dread of it. + I told him I detested, abhorred, loathed, hated him; that he might keep + his riches, greatness, and ungainly self for those who wanted him; they + were temptations too weak to move me. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, there was raving, and storming, threatening, terrible looks + and denunciations, and I quailed and shrank like a coward, but was + obstinate still. Then as a dernier resort, he tried another bribe—the + glorious one of liberty, the one he knew would conquer me, and it did. He + promised me freedom—if I married him, I might go out into the great + unknown world, fetterless and free; and I, O! fool that I was! consented. + Not that my object was to stay with him one instant longer her my prison + doors were opened; no, I was not quite so besotted as that—once out, + and the little demon might look for me with last year's partridges. Of + course, those demoniac eyes read my heart like an open book; and when I + pronounced the fatal 'yes,' he laughed in that delightful way of his own, + which will probably be the last thing you will hear when you lay your head + under the axe. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who the clergyman who married us was; but he was a + clergyman: there can be no doubt about that. It was three days after, and + for the first time in my fifteen years of life, I stood in sunshine, and + daylight, and open air. We drove to the cathedral—for it was in St. + Paul's the sacrilege was committed. I never could have walked there, I was + so stunned, and giddy, and bewildered. I never thought of the marriage—I + could think of nothing but the bright, crashing, sun-shiny world without, + till I was led up before the clergyman, with much the air, I suppose, of + one walking in her sleep. He was a very young man, I remember, and looked + from the dwarf to me, and from me to the dwarf, in a great state of fear + and uncertainty, but evidently not daring to refuse. Margery and one of + his gang were our only attendants, and there, in God's temple, the deed + was done, and I was made the miserable thing I am to-day.” + </p> + <p> + The suppressed passion, rising and throbbing like a white flame in her + face and eyes, made her stop for a moment, breathing hard. Looking up she + met Sir Norman's gaze, and as if there was something in its quiet, pitying + tenderness that mesmerized her into calm, she steadily and rapidly went + on. + </p> + <p> + “I awoke to a new life, after that; but not to one of freedom and + happiness. I was as closely, even more closely, guarded than ever; and I + found, when too late, that I had bartered myself, soul and body, for an + empty promise. The only difference was, that I saw more new faces; for the + dwarf began to bring his confederates and subordinates to the house, and + would have me dressed up and displayed to them, with a demoniac pride that + revolted me beyond everything else, if I were a painted puppet or an + overgrown wax doll. Most of the precious crew of scoundrels had wives of + their own and these began to be brought with them of an evening; and then, + what with dancing, and music, and cards, and feasting, we had quite a + carnival of it till morning. + </p> + <p> + “I liked this part of the business excessively well at first, and I was + flattered and fooled to the top of my bent, and made from the first, the + reigning belle and queen. There was more policy in that than admiration, I + fancy; for the dwarf was all-powerful among them and dreaded accordingly, + and I was the dwarf's pet and plaything, and all-powerful with him. The + hideous creature had a most hideous passion for me then, and I could wind + him round my finger as easily as Delilah and Samson; and by his command + and their universal consent, the mimicry of royalty was begun, and I was + made mistress and sovereign head, even over the dwarf himself. It was a + queer whim; but that crooked slug was always taking such odd notions into + his head, which nobody there dared laugh at. The band were bound together + by a terrible oath, women and all; but they had to take another oath then, + that of allegiance to me. + </p> + <p> + “It quite turned my brain at first; and my eyes were so dazzled by the + pitiful glistening of the pageant, the sham splendor of the sham court, + and the half-mocking, half-serious homage paid me, that I could see + nothing beyond the shining surface, and the blackness, and corruption, and + horror within, were altogether lost upon me. This feeling increased when, + as months and months went by, they were added to the mock peers of the + Midnight Court, real nobles from that of St. Charles. I did not know then + that they were ruined gamesters, vicious profligates, and desperate + broken-down <i>rous</i>, who would have gone to pandemonium itself, + nightly, for the mad license and lawless excesses they could indulge in + here to their heart's content. But I got tired of it all, after a time: my + eyes began slowly to open, and my heart—at least, what little of + that article I ever had—turned sick with horror within me at what I + had done. The awful things I saw, the fearful deeds that were perpetrated, + would curdle your very blood with horror, were I to relate them. You have + seen a specimen yourself, in the cold-blooded murder of that wretch half + an hour ago; and his is not the only life crying for vengeance on these + men. The slightest violation of their oath was punished, and the doom of + traitors and informers was instant death, whether male or female. The sham + trials and executions always took place in presence of the whole court, to + strike a salutary terror into them, and never occurred but once a week, + when the whole band regularly met. My power continued undiminished; for + they knew either the dwarf or I must be supreme; and though the queen was + bad, the prince was worse. The said prince would willingly have pulled me + down from my eminence, and have mounted it himself; but that he was + probably restrained by a feeling that law-makers should not be + law-breakers, and that, if he set the example, there would be no end to + the insubordination and rebellion that would follow.” + </p> + <p> + “Were you living here or in London then?” inquired Sir Norman, taking an + advantage of a pause, employed by Miranda in shaking off the crawling + beetles. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, in London! We did not come here until the outbreak of the plague—that + frightened them, especially the female portion, and they held a scared + meeting, and resolved that we should take up our quarters somewhere else. + This place being old and ruined, and deserted and with all sorts of evil + rumors hanging about it, was hit upon; and secretly, by night, these + mouldering old vaults were fitted up, and the goods and chattels of the + royal court removed. And here I, too, was brought by night under the + dwarf's own eye; for he well knew I would have risked a thousand plagues + to escape from him. And here I have been ever since, and here the weekly + revels are still held, and may for years to come, unless something is done + to-night to prevent it. + </p> + <p> + “The night before these weekly anniversaries they all gather; but during + the rest of the time I am alone with Margery and the dwarf, and have + learned more secrets about this place than they dream of. For the rest, + there is little need of explanation—the dwarf and his crew have + industriously circulated the rumor that it is haunted; and some of those + white figures you saw with me, and who, by the way, are the daughters of + these robbers, have been shown on the broken battlements, as if to put the + fact beyond doubt. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Sir Norman, that is all—you have heard my whole history as far + as I know it; and nothing remains but to tell you what you must see + yourself, that I am mad for revenge, and must have it, and you must help + me!” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were shining with the fierce red fire he had seen in them before, + and the white face wore a look so deadly and diabolical that, with all its + beauty, it was absolutely repulsive. He took a step from her—for in each + of those gleaming eyes sat a devil. + </p> + <p> + “You must help me!” she persisted. “You—you, Sir Norman! For many a + day I have been waiting for a chance like this, and until now I have + waited in vain. Alone, I want physical strength to kill him, and I dare + not trust any one else. No one was ever cast among us before as you have + been; and now, condemned to die, you must be desperate, and desperate men + will do desperate things. Fate, Destiny, Providence—whatever you + like—has thrown you in my way, and help me you must and shall!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, madame I what are you saying? How can I help you?” + </p> + <p> + “There is but one way—this!” + </p> + <p> + She held up in the pale ray of the lamp, something she drew from the folds + of her dress, that glistened blue, and bright, and steelly in the gloom. + </p> + <p> + “A dagger!” he exclaimed, with a shudder, and a recoil. “Madame, are you + talking of murder?” + </p> + <p> + “I told you!” she said, through her closed teeth, and with her eyes + flaming like fire, “that ridding the earth of that fiend incarnate would + be a good deed, and no murder! I would do it myself if I could take him + off his guard; but he never is that with me; and then my arm is not strong + enough to reach his black heart through all that mass of brawn, and blood, + and muscle. No, Sir Norman, Doom has allotted it to you—obey, and I + swear to you, you shall go free; refuse—and in ten minutes your head + will roll under the executioner's axe!” + </p> + <p> + “Better that than the freedom you offer! Madame, I cannot murder!” + </p> + <p> + “Coward!” she passionately cried; “you fear to do it, and yet you have but + a life to lose, and that is lost to you now!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman raised his head; and even in the darkness she saw the haughty + flush that crimsoned his face. + </p> + <p> + “I fear no man living; but, madame, I fear One who is higher than man!” + </p> + <p> + “But you will die if you refuse; and I repeat, again and again, there is + no risk. These guards will not let you out; but there are more ways of + leaving a room than through the door, and I can lead you up behind the + tapestry to where he is standing, and you can stab him through the back, + and escape with me! Quick, quick, there is no time to lose!” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot do it!” he said, resolutely, drawing back and folding his arms. + “In short, I will not do it!” + </p> + <p> + There was such a terrible look in the beautiful eyes, that he half + expected to see her spring at him like a wild cat, and bury the dagger in + his own breast. But the rule of life works by contraries: expect a blow + and you will get a kiss, look for an embrace, and you will be startled by + a kick. When the virago spoke, her voice was calm, compared with what it + had been before, even mild. + </p> + <p> + “You refuse! Well, a willful man must have him way; and since you are so + qualmish about a little bloodletting, we must try another plan. If I + release you—for short as the time is, I can do it—will you + promise me to go direct to the king this very night, and inform him of all + you've seen and heard here?” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him with an eagerness that was almost fierce; and in spite + of her steady voice, there was something throbbing and quivering, deadly + and terrible, in her upturned face. The form she looked at was erect and + immovable, the eyes were quietly resolved, the mouth half-pityingly, + half-sadly smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Are you aware, dear lady, what the result of such a step would be?” + </p> + <p> + “Death!” she said, coldly. + </p> + <p> + “Death, transportation, or life-long imprisonment to them all—misery + and disgrace to many a noble house; for some I saw there were once friends + of mine, with families I honor and respect. Could I bring the dwarf and + his attendant imps to Tyburn, and treat them to a hempen cravat, I would + do it without remorse—though the notion of being informer, even + then, would not be very pleasant; but as it is, I cannot be the death of + one without ruining all, and as I told you, some of those were once my + friends. No, madame, I cannot do it. I have but once to die and I prefer + death here, to purchasing life at such a price.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + There was a short silence, during which they gazed into each other's eyes + ominously, and one was about as colorless as the other. + </p> + <p> + “You refuse?” she coldly said. + </p> + <p> + “I must! But if you can save my life, as you say, why not do it, and fly + with me? You will find me the truest and most grateful of friends, while + life remains.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind; but I want no friendship, Sir Norman—nothing but + revenge! As to escaping, I could have done that any time since we came + here, for I have found out a secret means of exit from each of these + vaults, that they know nothing of. But I have staid to see him dead at my + feet—if not by my hand, at least by my command; and since you will + not do it, I will make the attempt myself. Farewell, Sir Norman Kingsley; + before many minutes you will be a corpse, and your blood be upon + yourself!” + </p> + <p> + She gave him a glance as coldly fierce as her dagger's glance, and turned + to go, when he stepped hastily forward, and interposed: + </p> + <p> + “Miranda—Miranda—you are crazed! Stop and tell me what you + intend to do.” + </p> + <p> + “What you feared to attempt,” she haughtily replied; “Sheathe this dagger + in his demon heart!” + </p> + <p> + “Miranda, give me the dagger. You must not, you shall not, commit such a + crime!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall not?” she uttered scornfully. “And who are you that dares to speak + to me like this? Stand aside, coward, and let me pass!” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, but I cannot, while you hold that dagger. Give it to me, and + you shall go free; but while you hold it with this intention, for your own + sake, I will detain you till some one comes.” + </p> + <p> + She uttered a low, fierce cry, and struck at him with it, but he caught + her hand, and with sudden force snatched it from her. In doing so he was + obliged to hold it with its point toward her, and struggling for it in a + sort of frenzy, as he raised the hand that held it, she slipped forward + and it was driven half-way to the hilt in her side. There was a low, + grasping cry—a sudden clasping of both hands over her heart, a sway, + a reel, and she fell headlong prostrate on the loathsome floor. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman stood paralyzed. She half raised herself on her elbow, drew the + dagger from the wound, and a great jet of blood shot up and crimsoned her + hands. She did not faint—there seemed to be a deathless energy + within her that chained life strongly in its place—she only pressed + both hands hard over the wound, and looked mournfully and reproachfully up + in his face. Those beautiful, sad, solemn eyes, void of everything savage + and fierce, were truly Leoline's eyes now. + </p> + <p> + Through all his first shock of horror, another thing dawned on his mind; + he had looked on this scene before. It was the second view in La Masque's + caldron, and but one remained to be verified. + </p> + <p> + The next instant, he was down on his knees in a paroxysm of grief and + despair. + </p> + <p> + “What have I done? what have I done?” was his cry. + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” she said, faintly raising one finger. “Do you hear that?” + </p> + <p> + Distant steps were echoing along the passage. Yes; he heard them, and knew + what they were. + </p> + <p> + “They are coming to lead you to death!” she said, with some of her old + fire; “but I will baffle them yet. Take that lamp—go to the wall + yonder, and in that corner, near the floor, you will see a small iron + ring. Pull it—it does not require much force—and you will find + an opening leading through another vault; at the end there is a broken + flight of stairs, mount them, and you will find yourself in the same place + from which you fell. Fly, fly! There is not a second to lose!” + </p> + <p> + “How can I fly? how can I leave you dying here?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not dying!” she wildly cried, lifting both hands from the wound to + push him away, while the blood flowed over the floor. “But we will both + die if you stay. Go-go-go!” + </p> + <p> + The footsteps had paused at his door. The bolts were beginning to be + withdrawn. He lifted the lamp, flew across his prison, found the ring, and + took a pull at it with desperate strength. Part of what appeared to be the + solid wall drew out, disclosing an aperture through which he could just + squeeze sideways. Quick as thought he was through, forgetting the lamp in + his haste. The portion of the wall slid noiselessly back, just as the + prison door was thrown open, and the dwarfs voice was heard, socially + inviting him, like Mrs. Bond's ducks, to come and be killed. + </p> + <p> + Some people talk of darkness so palpable that it may be felt, and if ever + any one was qualified to tell from experience what it felt like, Sir + Norman was in that precise condition at that precise period. He groped his + way through the blind blackness along what seemed an interminable + distance, and stumbled, at last, over the broken stairs at the end. With + some difficult, and at the serious risk of his jugular, he mounted them, + and found himself, as Miranda had stated, in a place he knew very well. + Once here he allowed no grass to grow under his feet; and, in five minutes + after, to his great delight, he found himself where he had never hoped to + be again—in the serene moonlight and the open air, fetterless and + free. + </p> + <p> + His horse was still where he had left him, and in a twinkling he was on + his back, and dashing away to the city, to love—to Leoline! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. LEOLINE'S VISITORS. + </h2> + <p> + If things were done right—but they are not and, never will be, while + this whirligig world of mistakes spins round, and all Adam's children, to + the end of the chapter, will continue sinning to-day and repenting + to-morrow, falling the next and bewailing it the day after. If Leoline had + gone to bed directly, like a good, dutiful little girl, as Sir Norman + ordered her, she would have saved herself a good deal of trouble and + tears; but Leoline and sleep were destined to shake hands and turn their + backs on each other that night. It was time for all honest folks to be in + bed, and the dark-eyed beauty knew it too, but she had no notion of going, + nevertheless. She stood in the centre of the room, where he had left her, + with a spot like a scarlet roseberry on either cheek; a soft half-smile on + the perfect mouth, and a light unexpressibly tender and dreamy, in those + artesian wells of beauty—her eyes. Most young girls of green and + tender years, suffering from “Love's young dream,” and that sort of thing, + have just that soft, shy, brooding look, whenever their thoughts happen to + turn to their particular beloved; and there are few eyes so ugly that it + does not beautify, even should they be as cross as two sticks. You should + have seen Leoline standing in the centre of her pretty room, with her + bright rose-satin glancing and glittering, and flowing over rug and mat; + with her black waving hair clustering and curling like shining floss silk; + with a rich white shimmer of pearls on the pale smooth forehead and large + beautiful arms. She did look irresistibly bewitching beyond doubt; and it + was just as well for Sir Norman's peace of mind that he did not see her, + for he was bad enough without that. So she stood thinking tenderly of him + for a half-hour or so, quite undisturbed by the storm; and how strange it + was that she had risen up that very morning expecting to be one man's + bride, and that she should rise up the next, expecting to be another's. + She could not realize it at all; and with a little sigh—half pleasure, + half presentiment—she walked to the window, drew the curtain, and + looked out at the night. All was peaceful and serene; the moon was full to + overflowing, and a great deal of extra light ran over the brim; quite a + quantity of stars were out, and were winking pleasantly down at the dark + little planet below, that went round, and round, with grim stoicism, and + paid no attention to anybody's business but its own. She saw the heaps of + black, charred ashes that the rush of rain had quenched; she saw the still + and empty street; the frowning row of gloomy houses opposite, and the man + on guard before one of them. She had watched that man all day, thinking, + with a sick shudder, of the plague-stricken prisoners he guarded, and + reading its piteous inscription, “Lord have mercy on us!” till the words + seemed branded on her brain. While she looked now, an upper window was + opened, a night-cap was thrust out and a voice from its cavernous depths + hailed the guard. + </p> + <p> + “Robert! I say, Robert!” + </p> + <p> + “Well!” said Robert, looking up. + </p> + <p> + “Master and missus be gone at last, and the rest won't live till morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Won't they?” said Robert, phlegmatically; “what a pity! Get 'em ready, + and I'll stop the dead-cart when it comes round.” + </p> + <p> + Just as he spoke, the well-known rattle of wheels, the loud ringing of the + bell, and the monotonous cry of the driver, “Bring out your dead! bring + out your dead!” echoed on the pale night's silence; and the pest-cart came + rumbling and jolting along with its load of death. The watchman hailed the + driver, according to promise, and they entered the house together, brought + out one long, white figure, and then another, and threw them on top of the + ghastly heap. + </p> + <p> + “We'll have three more for you in on hour of so—don't forget to come + round,” suggested the watchman. + </p> + <p> + “All right!” said the driver, as he took his place, whipped his horse, + rang his bell, and jogged along nonchalantly to the plague-pit. + </p> + <p> + Sick at heart, Leoline dropped the curtain, and turned round to see + somebody else standing at her elbow. She had been quite alone when she + looked out; she was alone no longer; there had been no noise, yet some one + had entered, and was standing beside her. A tall figure, all in black, + with its sweeping velvet robes spangled with stars of golden rubies, a + perfect figure of incomparable grace and beauty. It had worn a cloak that + had dropped lightly from its shoulders, and lay on the floor and the long + hair streamed in darkness over shoulder and waist. The face was masked, + the form stood erect and perfectly motionless, and the scream of surprise + and consternation that arose to Leoline's lips died out in wordless + terror. Her noiseless visitor perceived it, and touching her arm lightly + with one little white hand, said in her sweetest and most exquisite of + tones: + </p> + <p> + “My child, do not tremble so, and do not look so deathly white. You know + me, do you not?” + </p> + <p> + “You are La Masque!” said Leoline trembling with nervous dread. + </p> + <p> + “I am, and no stranger to you; though perhaps you think so. Is it your + habit every night to look out of your window in full dress until morning?” + </p> + <p> + “How did you enter?” asked Leoline, her curiosity overcoming for a moment + even her fear. + </p> + <p> + “Through the door. Not a difficult thing, either, if you leave it wide + open every night, as it is this.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it open?” said Leoline, in dismay. “I never knew it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! then it was not you who went out last. Who was it?” + </p> + <p> + “It was—was—” Leoline's cheeks were scarlet; “it was a + friend!” + </p> + <p> + “A somewhat late hour for one's friends to visit,” said La Masque, + sarcastically; “and you should learn the precaution of seeing them to the + door and fastening it after them.” + </p> + <p> + “Rest assured, I shall do so for the future,” said Leoline, with a look + that would have reminded Sir Norman of Miranda had he seen it. “I scarcely + expected the honor of any more visits, particularly from strangers + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Civil, that! Will you ask me to sit down, or am I to consider myself an + unseasonable intruder, and depart?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, will you do me the honor to be seated. The hour, as you say, is + somewhat unseasonable, and you will oblige me by letting me know to what I + am indebted for the pleasure of this visit, as quickly as possible.” + </p> + <p> + There was something quite dignified about Mistress Leoline as she swept + rustling past La Masque, sank into the pillowy depths of her lounge, and + motioned her visitor to a seat with a slight and graceful wave of her + hand. Not but that in her secret heart she was a good deal frightened, for + something under her pink satin corsage was going pit-a-pat at a wonderful + rate; but she thought that betraying such a feeling would not be the + thing. Perhaps the tall, dark figure saw it, and smiled behind her mask; + but outwardly she only leaned lightly against the back of the chair, and + glanced discreetly at the door. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure we are quite alone?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite:” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said La Masque, in her low, silvery tones, “what I have come to + say is not for the ears of any third person living:” + </p> + <p> + “We are entirely alone, madame,” replied Leoline, opening her black eyes + very wide. “Prudence is gone, and I do not know when she will be back.” + </p> + <p> + “Prudence will never come back,” said La Masque, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Madame!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, do not look so shocked—it is not her fault. You know she + deserted you for fear of the plague.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that did not save her; nay, it even brought on what she dreaded so + much. Your nurse is plague-stricken, my dear, and lies ill unto death in + the pest-house in Finsbury Fields.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dreadful!” exclaimed Leoline, while every drop of blood fled from her + face. “My poor, poor old nurse!” + </p> + <p> + “Your poor, poor old nurse left you without much tenderness when she + thought you dying of the same disease,” said La Masque, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is nothing. The suddenness, the shock drove her to it. My poor, + dear Prudence.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you can do nothing for her now,” said La Masque, in a tone of + slight impatience. “Prudence is beyond all human aid, and so—let her + rest in peace. You were carried to the plague-pit yourself, for dead, were + you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the pale lips, while she shivered all over at the + recollection. + </p> + <p> + “And was saved by—by whom were you saved, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + “By two gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know that; what were their names?” + </p> + <p> + “One was Mr. Ormiston, the other was,” hesitating and blushing vividly, + “Sir Norman Kingsley.” + </p> + <p> + La Masque leaned across her chair, and laid one dainty finger lightly on + the girl's hot cheek. + </p> + <p> + “And for which is that blush, Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, was it only to ask me questions you came here?” said Leoline, + drawing proudly back, though the hot red spot grew hotter and redder; “if + so, you will excuse my declining to answer any more.” + </p> + <p> + “Child, child!” said La Masque, in a tone so strangely sad that it touched + Leoline, “do not be angry with me. It is no idle curiosity that sent me + here at this hour to ask impertinent questions, but a claim that I have + upon you, stronger than that of any one else in the world.” + </p> + <p> + Leoline's beautiful eyes opened wider yet. + </p> + <p> + “A claim upon me! How? Why? I do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + “All in good time. Will you tell me something of your past history, + Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame Masque, I have no history to tell. All my life I have lived alone + with Prudence; that in the whole of it in nine words.” + </p> + <p> + La Masque half laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Short, sharp, and decisive. Had you never father or mother?” + </p> + <p> + “There is a slight probability I may have had at some past period,” said + Leoline, sighing; “but none that I ever knew.” + </p> + <p> + “Why does not Prudence tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “Prudence is only my nurse, and says she has nothing to tell. My parents + died when I was an infant, and left me in her care—that is her + story.” + </p> + <p> + “A likely one enough, and yet I see by your face that you doubt it.” + </p> + <p> + “I do doubt it! There are a thousand little outward things that make me + fancy it is false, and an inward voice that assures me it is so.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me tell you that inward voice tells falsehoods, for I know that + your father and mother are both dead these fourteen years!” + </p> + <p> + Leoline's great black eyes were fixed on her face with a look so wild and + eager, that La Masque laid her hand lightly and soothingly on her + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Don't look at me with such a spectral face! What is there so + extraordinary in all I have said?” + </p> + <p> + “You said you knew my father and mother.” + </p> + <p> + “No such thing! I said I knew they were dead, but the other fact is true + also; I did know them when living!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, who are you? Who were they?” + </p> + <p> + “I? Oh, I am La Masque, the sorceress, and they—they were Leoline's + father and mother!” and again La Masque slightly laughed. + </p> + <p> + “You mock me, madame!” cried Leoline, passionately. “You are cruel—you + are heartless! If you know anything, in Heaven's name tell me—if + not, go and leave me in peace!” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you! I shall do that presently; and as to the other—of course + I shall tell you; what else do you suppose I have come for to-night? Look + here! Do you see this?” + </p> + <p> + She drew out from some hidden pocket in her dress a small and + beautifully-wrought casket of ivory and silver, with straps and clasps of + silver, and a tiny key of the same. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” asked Leoline, looking from it to her, with the blank air of one + utterly bewildered, + </p> + <p> + “In this casket, my dear, there is a roll of papers, closely written, + which you are to read as soon as I leave you. Those papers contain your + whole history—do you understand?” + </p> + <p> + She was looking so white, and staring so hard and so hopelessly, that + there was need of the question. She took the casket and gazed at it with a + perplexed air. + </p> + <p> + “My child, have your thoughts gone wool-gathering? Do you not comprehend + what I have said to you! Your whole history is hid in that box?” + </p> + <p> + “I know!” said Leoline, slowly, and with her eyes again riveted to the + black mask. “But; madame, who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Have I not told you? What a pretty inquisitor it is! I am La Masque—your + friend, now; something more soon, as you will see when you read what I + have spoken of. Do not ask me how I have come by it—you will read + all about it there. I did not know that I would give it to you to-night, + but I have a strange foreboding that it is destined to be my last on + earth. And, Leoline my child, before I leave you, let me hear you say you + will not hate me when you read what is there.” + </p> + <p> + “What have you done to me? Why should I hate you?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you will find that all out soon enough. Do content me, Leoline—let + me hear you say; `La Masque, whatever you've done to me, however you have + wronged me, I will forgive you!' Can you say that?” + </p> + <p> + Leoline repeated it simply, like a little child. La Masque took her hand, + held it between both her own, leaned over and looked earnestly in her + face. + </p> + <p> + “My little Leoline! my beautiful rosebud! May Heaven bless you and grant + you a long and happy life with—shall I say it, Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “Please—no!” whispered Leoline, shyly. + </p> + <p> + La Masque softly patted the little tremulous hand. + </p> + <p> + “We are both saying the name now in our hearts, my dear, so it is little + matter whether our lips repeat it or not. He is worthy, of you, Leoline, + and your life will be a happy one by his side; but there is another.” She + paused and lowered her voice. “When have you seen Count L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + “Not since yesterday, madame.” + </p> + <p> + “Beware of him! Do you know who he is, Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “I know nothing of him but his name.” + </p> + <p> + “Then do not seek to know,” said La Masque, emphatically. “For it is a + secret you would tremble to hear. And now I must leave you. Come with me + to the door, and fasten it as soon as I go out, lest you should forget it + altogether.” + </p> + <p> + Leoline, with a dazed expression, thrust the precious little casket into + the bosom of her dress, and taking up the lamp, preceded her visitor down + stairs. At the door they paused, and La Masque, with her hand on her arm, + repeated, in a low, earnest voice, + </p> + <p> + “Leoline, beware of Count L'Estrange, and become Lady Kingsley as soon as + you can.” + </p> + <p> + “I will hear that name to-morrow!” thought Leoline, with a glad little + thrill at her heart, as La Masque flitted out into the moonlight. + </p> + <p> + Leoline closed and locked the door, driving the bolts into their sockets, + and making all secure. “I defy any one to get in again tonight!” she said, + smiling at her own dexterity; and lamp in hand, she ran lightly up stairs + to read the long unsolved riddle. + </p> + <p> + So eager was she, that she had crossed the room, laid the lamp on the + table, and sat down before it, ere she became aware that she was not + alone. Some one was leaning against the mantel, his arm on it, and his + eyes do her, gazing with an air of incomparable coolness and ease. It was + a man this time—something more than a man,—a count, and Count + L'Estrange, at that! + </p> + <p> + Leoline sprang to her feet with a wild scream, a cry full of terror, + amaze, and superstitious dread; and the count raised his band with a + self-possessed smile. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, fair Leoline, if I intrude! But have I not a right to come at all + hours and visit my bride?” + </p> + <p> + “Leoline is no bride of yours!” retorted that young lady, passionately, + her indignation overpowering both fear and surprise. “And, what is more, + never will be! Now, sir!” + </p> + <p> + “So my little bird of paradise can fire up, I see! As to your being my + bride, that remains to be seen. You promised to be tonight, you know!” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll recall that promise. I have changed my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's not very astonishing; it is but the privilege of your sex! + Nevertheless, I'm afraid I must insist on your becoming Countess + L'Estrange, and that immediately!” + </p> + <p> + “Never, sir! I will die first!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! We could not spare such a bright little beauty out of this ugly + world! You will live, and live for me!” + </p> + <p> + “Sir!” cried Leoline, white with passion, and her black eyes blazing with + a fire that would have killed him, could fiery glances slay! “I do not + know how you have entered here; but I do know, if you are a gentleman, you + will leave me instantly! Go sir! I never wish to see you again!” + </p> + <p> + “But when I wish to see you so much, my darling Leoline,” said the count, + with provoking indifference, “what does a little reluctance on your part + signify? Get your hood and mantle, my love—my horse awaits us + without—and let us fly where neither plague nor mortal man will + interrupt our nuptials!” + </p> + <p> + “Will no one take this man away?” she cried, looking helplessly round, and + wringing her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not, my dear—not even Sir Norman Kingsley! George, I am + afraid this pretty little vixen will not go peaceably; you had better come + in!” + </p> + <p> + With a smile on his face, he took a step toward her. Shrieking wildly, she + darted across the room, and made for the door, just as somebody else was + entering it. The next instant, a shawl was thrown over her head, her cries + smothered in it, and she was lifted in a pair of strong arms, carried down + stairs, and out into the night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. THE THIRD VISION. + </h2> + <p> + Presentiments are strange things. From the first moment Sir Norman entered + the city, and his thoughts had been able to leave Miranda and find + themselves wholly on Leoline, a heavy foreboding of evil to her had + oppressed him. Some danger, he was sure, had befallen her during his + absence—how could it be otherwise with the Earl of Rochester and + Count L'Estrange both on her track? Perhaps, by this time, one or other + had found her, and alone and unaided she had been an easy victim, and was + now borne beyond his reach forever. The thought goaded him and his horse + almost to distraction; for the moment it struck him, he struck spurs into + his horse, making that unoffending animal jump spasmodically, like one of + those prancing steeds Miss Bonheur is fond of depicting. Through the + streets he flew at a frantic rate, growing more excited and full of + apprehension the nearer he came to old London Bridge; and calling himself + a select litany of hard names inwardly, for having left the dear little + thing at all. + </p> + <p> + “If I find her safe and well,” thought Sir Norman, emphatically, “nothing + short of an earthquake or dying of the plague will ever induce me to leave + her again, until she is Lady Kingsley, and in the old manor of Devonshire. + What a fool, idiot, and ninny I must have been, to have left her as I did, + knowing those two sleuth-hounds were in full chase! What are all the + Mirandas and midnight queens to me, if Leoline is lost?” + </p> + <p> + That last question was addressed to the elements in general; and as they + disdained reply, he cantered on furiously, till the old house by the river + was reached. It was the third time that night he had paused to contemplate + it, and each time with very different feelings; first, from simple + curiosity; second, in an ecstasy of delight, and third and last, in an + agony of apprehension. All around was peaceful and still; moon and stars + sailed serenely through a sky of silver and snow; a faint cool breeze + floated up from the river and fanned his hot and fevered forehead; the + whole city lay wrapped in stillness as profound and deathlike as the + fabled one of the marble prince in the Eastern tale—nothing living moved + abroad, but the lonely night-guard keeping their dreary vigils before the + plague-stricken houses, and the ever-present, ever-busy pest-cart, with + its mournful bell and dreadful cry. + </p> + <p> + As far as Sir Norman could see, no other human being but himself and the + solitary watchman, so often mentioned, were visible. Even he could + scarcely be said to be present; for, though leaning against the house with + his halberd on his shoulder, he was sound asleep at his post, and far away + in the land of dreams. It was the second night of his watch; and with a + good conscience and a sound digestion, there is no earthly anguish short + of the toothache, strong enough to keep a man awake two nights in + succession. So sound were his balmy slumbers in his airy chamber, that not + even the loud clatter of Sir Norman's horse's hoofs proved strong enough + to arouse him; and that young gentleman, after glancing at him, made up + his mind to try to find out for himself before arousing him to seek + information. + </p> + <p> + Securing his horse, he looked up at the house with wistful eyes, and saw + that the solitary light still burned in her chamber. It struck him now how + very imprudent it was to keep that lamp burning; for if Count L'Estrange + saw it, it was all up with Leoline—and there was even more to be + dreaded from him than from the earl. How was he to find out whether that + illuminated chamber had a tenant or not? Certainly, standing there staring + till doomsday would not do it; and there seemed but two ways, that of + entering the house at once or arousing the man. But the man was sleeping + so soundly that it seemed a pity to awake him for a trifle; and, after + all, there could be no great harm or indiscretion in his entering to see + if his bride was safe. Probably Leoline was asleep, and would know nothing + about it; or, even were she wide awake, and watchful, she was altogether + too sensible a girl to be displeased at his anxiety about her. If she were + still awake, and waiting for day-dawn, he resolved to remain with her and + keep her from feeling lonesome until that time came—if she were + asleep, he would steal out softly again, and keep guard at her door until + morning. + </p> + <p> + Full of these praiseworthy resolutions, he tried the handle of the door, + half expecting to find it locked, and himself obliged to effect an + entrance through the window; but no, it yielded to his touch, and he went + in. Hall and staircase were intensely dark, but he knew his way without a + pilot this time, and steered clear of all shoals and quicksands, through + the hall and up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + The door of the lighted room—Leoline's room—lay wide open, and + he paused on the threshold to reconnoitre. He had gone softly for fear of + startling her, and now, with the same tender caution, he glanced round the + room. The lamp burned on the dainty dressing table, where undisturbed lay + jewels, perfume bottles and other knickknacks. The cithern lay unmolested + on the couch, the rich curtains were drawn; everything was as he had left + it last—everything, but the pretty pink figure, with drooping eyes, + and pearls in the waves of her rich, black hair. He looked round for the + things she had worn, hoping she had taken them off and retired to rest, + but they were not to be seen; and with a cold sinking of the heart, he + went noiselessly across the room, and to the bed. It was empty, and showed + no trace of having been otherwise since he and the pest-cart driver had + borne from it the apparently lifeless form of Leoline. + </p> + <p> + Yes, she was gone; and Sir Norman turned for a moment so sick with utter + dread, that he leaned against one of the tall carved posts, and hated + himself for having left her with a heartlessness that his worst enemy + could not have surpassed. Then aroused into new and spasmodic energy by + the exigency of the case, he seized the lamp, and going out to the hall, + made the house ring from basement to attic with her name. No reply, but + that hollow, melancholy echo that sounds so lugubriously through empty + houses, was returned; and he jumped down stairs with an impetuous rush, + flinging back every door in the hall below with a crash, and flying wildly + from room to room. In solemn grim repose they lay; but none of them held + the bright figure in rose-satin he sought. And he left them in despair, + and went back to her chamber again. + </p> + <p> + “Leoline! Leoline! Leoline!” he called, while he rushed impetuously up + stairs, and down stairs, and in my lady's chamber; but Leoline answered + not—perhaps never would answer more! Even “hoping against hope,” he + had to give up the chase at last—no Leoline did that house hold; and + with this conviction despairingly impressed on his mind, Sir Norman + Kingsley covered his face with his hands, and uttered a dismal groan. + </p> + <p> + Yet, forlorn as was the case, he groaned but once, “only that and nothing + more;” there was no time for such small luxuries as groaning and tearing + his hair, and boiling over with wrath and vengeance against the human race + generally, and those two diabolical specimens of it, the Earl of Rochester + and Count L'Estrange, particularly. He plunged head foremost down stairs, + and out of the door. There he was impetuously brought up all standing; for + somebody stood before it, gazing up at the gloomy front with as much + earnestness as he had done himself, and against this individual he rushed + recklessly with a shock that nearly sent the pair of them over into the + street. + </p> + <p> + “Sacr-r-re!” cried a shrill voice, in tones of indignant remonstrance. + “What do you mean, monsieur? Are you drunk, or crazy, that you come + running head foremost into peaceable citizens, and throwing them heels + uppermost on the king's highway! Stand off, sir! And think yourself lucky + that I don't run you through with my dirk for such an insult!” + </p> + <p> + At the first sound of the outraged treble tones, Sir Norman had started + back and glared upon the speaker with much the same expression of + countenance as an incensed tiger. The orator of the spirited address had + stooped to pick up his plumed cap, and recover his centre of gravity, + which was considerably knocked out of place by the unexpected collision, + and held forth with very flashing eyes, and altogether too angry to + recognize his auditor. Sir Norman waited until he had done, and then + springing at him, grabbed him by the collar. + </p> + <p> + “You young hound!” he exclaimed, fairly lifting him off his feet with one + hand, and shaking him as if he would have wriggled him out of hose and + doublet. “You infernal young jackanapes! I'll run you through in less than + two minutes, if you don't tell me where you have taken her.” + </p> + <p> + The astonishment, not to say consternation, of Master Hubert for that + small young gentleman and no other it was—on thus having his ideas + thus shaken out of him, was unbounded, and held him perfectly speechless, + while Sir Norman glared at him and shook him in a way that would have + instantaneously killed him if his looks were lightning. The boy had + recognized his aggressor, and after his first galvanic shock, struggled + like a little hero to free himself, and at last succeeded by an artful + spring. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley,” he cried, keeping a safe yard or two of pavement + between him and that infuriated young knight, “have you gone mad, or what, + is Heaven's name, is the meaning of all this?” + </p> + <p> + “It means,” exclaimed Sir Norman, drawing his sword, and flourishing it + within an inch of the boy's curly head,—“that you'll be a dead page + in less than half a minute, unless you tell me immediately where she has + been taken to.” + </p> + <p> + “Where who has been taken to?” inquired Hubert, opening his bright and + indignant black eyes in a way that reminded Sir Norman forcibly of + Leoline. “Pardon, monsieur, I don't understand at all.” + </p> + <p> + “You young villain! Do you mean to stand up there and tell me to my face + that you have not searched for her, and found her, and have carried her + off?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, do you mean the lady we were talking of, that was saved from the + river?” asked Hubert, a new light dawning upon him. + </p> + <p> + “Do I mean the lady we were talking of?” repeated Sir Norman, with another + furious flourish of his sword. “Yes, I do mean the lady we were talking + of; and what's more—I mean to pin you where you stand, against that + wall, unless you tell me, instantly, where she has been taken.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur!” exclaimed the boy, raising his hands with an earnestness there + was no mistaking, “I do assure you, upon my honor, that I know nothing of + the lady whatever; that I have not found her; that I have never set eyes + on her since the earl saved her from the river.” + </p> + <p> + The earnest tone of truth would, in itself, almost have convinced Sir + Norman, but it was not that, that made him drop his sword so suddenly. The + pale, startled face; the dark, solemn eyes, were so exactly like + Leoline's, that they thrilled him through and through, and almost made him + believe, for a moment, he was talking to Leoline herself. + </p> + <p> + “Are you—are you sure you are not Leoline?” he inquired, almost + convinced, for an instant, by the marvelous resemblance, that it was + really so. + </p> + <p> + “I? Positively, Sir Norman, I cannot understand this at all, unless you + wish to enjoy yourself at my expense.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Master Hubert!” said Sir Norman with a sudden change of look + and tone. “If you do not understand, I shall just tell you in a word or + two how matters are, and then let me hear you clear yourself. You know the + lady we were talking about, that Lord Rochester picked up afloat, and sent + you in search of?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” went on Sir Norman, with a sort of grim stoicism. “After leaving + you, I started on a little expedition of my own, two miles from the city, + from which expedition I returned ten minutes ago. When I left, the lady + was secure and safe in this house; when I came back, she was gone. You + were in search of her—had told me yourself you were determined on + finding her, and having her carried off; and now, my youthful friend, put + this and that together,” with a momentary returning glare, “and see what + it amounts to!” + </p> + <p> + “It amounts to this:” retorted his youthful friend, stoutly, “that I know + nothing whatever about it. You may make out a case of strong + circumstantial evidence against me; but if the lady has been carried off, + I have had no hand in it.” + </p> + <p> + Again Sir Norman was staggered by the frank, bold gaze and truthful voice, + but still the string was in a tangle somewhere. + </p> + <p> + “And where have you been ever since?” he began severely, and with the air + of a lawyer about to go into a rigid cross-examination. + </p> + <p> + “Searching for her,” was the prompt reply. + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “Through the streets; in the pest-houses, and at the plague-pit.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you find out she lived here?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not find it out. When I became convinced she was in none of the + places I have mentioned, I gave up the search in despair, for to-night, + and was returning to his lordship to report my ill success.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, were you standing in front of her house, gaping at it with all + the eyes in your head, as if it were the eighth wonder of the world?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur has not the most courteous way of asking questions, that I ever + heard of; but I have no particular objection to answer him. It struck me + that, as Mr. Ormiston brought the lady up this way, and as I saw you and + he haunting this place so much to-night, I thought her residence was + somewhere here, and I paused to look at the house as I went along. In + fact, I intended to ask old sleepy-head, over there, for further + particulars, before I left the neighborhood, had not you, Sir Norman, run + bolt into me, and knocked every idea clean out of my head.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are sure you are not Leoline?” said Sir Norman, suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “To the best of my belief, Sir Norman, I am not,” replied Hubert, + reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is all very strange, and very aggravating,” said Sir Norman, + sighing, and sheathing his sword. “She is gone, at all events; no doubt + about that—and if you have not carried her off, somebody else has.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps she has gone herself,” insinuated Hubert. + </p> + <p> + “Bah! Gone herself!” said Sir Norman, scornfully. “The idea is beneath + contempt: I tell you, Master Fine-feathers, the lady and I were to be + married bright and early to-morrow morning, and leave this disgusting city + for Devonshire. Do you suppose, then, she would run out in the small hours + of the morning, and go prancing about the streets, or eloping with + herself?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, of course, Sir Norman, I can't take it upon myself to answer + positively; but, to use the mildest phrase, I must say the lady seems + decidedly eccentric, and capable of doing very queer things. I hope, + however, you believe me; for I earnestly assure you, I never laid eyes on + her but that once.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you,” said Sir Norman, with another profound and broken-hearted + sigh, “and I'm only too sure she has been abducted by that consummate + scoundrel and treacherous villain, Count L'Estrange.” + </p> + <p> + “Count who?” said Hubert, with a quick start, and a look of intense + curiosity. “What was the name?” + </p> + <p> + “L'Estrange—a scoundrel of the deepest dye! Perhaps you know him?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Hubert, with a queer, half musing smile, “no; but I have a + notion I have heard the name. Was he a rival of yours?” + </p> + <p> + “I should think so! He was to have been married to the lady this very + night!” + </p> + <p> + “He was, eh! And what prevented the ceremony?” + </p> + <p> + “She took the plague!” said Sir Norman, strange to say, not at all + offended at the boy's familiarity. “And would have been thrown into the + plague-pit but for me. And when she recovered she accepted me and cast him + off!” + </p> + <p> + “A quick exchange! The lady's heart must be most flexible, or unusually + large, to be able to hold so many at once.” + </p> + <p> + “It never held him!” said Sir Norman, frowning; “she was forced into the + marriage by her mercenary friends. Oh! if I had him here, wouldn't I make + him wish the highwaymen had shot him through the head, and done for him, + before I would let him go!” + </p> + <p> + “What is he like—this Count L'Estrange?” said Hubert, carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “Like the black-hearted traitor and villain he is!” replied Sir Norman, + with more energy than truth; for he had caught but passing glimpses of the + count's features, and those showed him they were decidedly prepossessing; + “and he slinks along like a coward and an abductor as he is, in a slouched + hat and shadowy cloak. Oh! if I had him here!” repeated Sir Norman, with + vivacity; “wouldn't I—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course you would,” interposed Hubert, “and serve him right, too! + Have you made any inquiries about the matter—for instance, of our + friend sleeping the sleep of the just, across there?” + </p> + <p> + “No—why?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, it seems to me, if she's been carried off before he fell asleep, he + has probably heard or seen something of it; and I think it would not be a + bad plan to step over and inquire.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we can try,” said Sir Norman, with a despairing face; “but I know + it will end in disappointment and vexation of spirit, like all the rest!” + </p> + <p> + With which dismal view of things, he crossed the street side by side with + his jaunty young friend. The watchman was still enjoying the balmy, and + snoring in short, sharp snorts, when Master Hubert remorselessly caught + him by the shoulder, and began a series of shakes and pokes, and digs, and + “hallos!” while Sir Norman stood near and contemplated the scene with a + pensive eye. At last while undergoing a severe course of this treatment + the watchman was induced to open his eyes on this mortal life, and + transfix the two beholders with, an intensely vacant and blank share. + </p> + <p> + “Hey?” he inquired, helplessly. “What was you a saying of, gentlemen? What + is it?” + </p> + <p> + “We weren't a saying of anything as yet,” returned Hubert; “but we mean + to, shortly. Are you quite sure you are wide awake?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” was the cross question, given by way of answer. “What + do you come bothering me for at such a rate, all night, I want to know?” + </p> + <p> + “Keep civil, friend, we wear swords,” said Hubert, touching, with dignity, + the hilt of the little dagger he carried; “we only want to ask you a few + questions. First, do you see that house over yonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I see it!” said the man gruffly; “I am not blind!” + </p> + <p> + “Well who was the last person you saw come out of that house?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who they was!” still more gruffly. “I ain't got the pleasure + of their acquaintance!” + </p> + <p> + “Did you see a young lady come out of it lately?” + </p> + <p> + “Did I see a young lady?” burst out the watchman, in a high key of + aggrieved expostulation. “How many more times this blessed night am I to + be asked about that young lady. First and foremost, there comes two young + men, which this here is one of them, and they bring out the young lady and + have her hauled away in the dead-cart; then comes along another and wants + to know all the particulars, and by the time he gets properly away, + somebody else comes and brings her back like a drowned rat. Then all sorts + of people goes in and out, and I get tired looking at them, and then fall + asleep, and before I've been in that condition about a minute, you two + come punching me and waken me up to ask questions about her! I wish that + young lady was in Jerico—I do!” said the watchman, with a smothered + growl. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, my man!” said Hubert, slapping him soothingly on the + shoulder. “Don't be savage, if you can help it! This gentleman has a gold + coin in some of his pockets, I believe, and it will fall to you if you + keep quiet and answer decently. Tell me how many have been in that house + since the young lady was brought back like a drowned rat?” + </p> + <p> + “How many?” said the man, meditating, with his eyes fixed on Sir Norman's + garments, and he, perceiving that, immediately gave him the promised coin + to refresh his memory, which it did with amazing quickness. “How many—oh—let + me see; there was the young man that brought her in, and left her there, + and came out again, and went away. By-and-by, he came back with another, + which I think this as gave me the money is him. After a little, they came + out, first the other one, then this one, and went off; and the next that + went in was a tall woman in black, with a mask on, and right behind her + there came two men; the woman in the mask came out after a while; and + about ten minutes after, the two men followed, and one of them carried + something in his arms, that didn't look unlike a lady with her head in a + shawl. Anything wrong, sir?” as Sir Norman gave a violent start and caught + Hubert by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing! Where did they carry her to? What did they do with her? Go on! + go on!” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the watchman, eyeing the speaker curiously, “I'm going to. + They went along, down to the river, both of them, and I saw a boat shove + off, shortly after, and that something, with its head in a shawl, lying as + peaceable as a lamb, with one of the two beside it. That's all—I + went asleep about then, till you two were shaking me and waking me up.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman and Hubert looked at each other, one between despair and rage, + the other with a thoughtful, half-inquiring air, as if he had some secret + to tell, and was mentally questioning whether it was safe to do so. On the + whole, he seemed to come to the conclusion, that a silent tongue maketh a + wise head, and nodding and saying “Thank you!” to the watchman, he passed + his arm through Sir Norman's, and drew him back to the door of Leoline's + house. + </p> + <p> + “There is a light within,” he said, looking up at it; “how comes that?” + </p> + <p> + “I found the lamp burning, when I returned, and everything undisturbed. + They must have entered noiselessly, and carried her off without a + struggle,” replied Sir Norman, with a sort of groan. + </p> + <p> + “Have you searched the house—searched it well?” + </p> + <p> + “Thoroughly—from top to bottom!” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me there ought to be some trace. Will you come back with me + and look again?” + </p> + <p> + “It is no use; but there is nothing else I can do; so come along!” + </p> + <p> + They entered the house, and Sir Norman led the page direct to Leoline's + room, where the light was. + </p> + <p> + “I left her here when I went away, and here the lamp was burning when I + came back: so it must have been from this room she was taken.” + </p> + <p> + Hubert was gazing slowly and critically round, taking note of everything. + Something glistened and flashed on the floor, under the mantel, and he + went over and picked it up. + </p> + <p> + “What have you there?” asked Sir Norman in surprise; for the boy had + started so suddenly, and flushed so violently, that it might have + astonished any one. + </p> + <p> + “Only a shoe-buckle—a gentleman's—do you recognize it?” + </p> + <p> + Though he spoke in his usual careless way, and half-hummed the air of one + of Lord Rochester's love songs, he watched him keenly as he examined it. + It was a diamond buckle, exquisitely set, and of great beauty and value; + but Sir Norman knew nothing of it. + </p> + <p> + “There are initials upon it—see there!” said Hubert, pointing, and + still watching him with the same powerful glance. “The letters C. S. That + can't stand for Count L'Estrange.” + </p> + <p> + “Who then can it stand for?” inquired Sir Norman, looking at him fixedly, + and with far more penetration than the court page had given him credit + for. “I am certain you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I suspect!” said the boy, emphatically, “nothing more; and if it is as I + believe, I will bring you news of Leoline before you are two hours older.” + </p> + <p> + “How am I to know you are not deceiving me, and will not betray her into + the power of the Earl of Rochester—if, indeed, she be not in his + power already.” + </p> + <p> + “She is not in it, and never will be through me! I feel an odd interest in + this matter, and I will be true to you, Sir Norman—though why I + should be, I really don't know. I give you my word of honor that I will do + what I can to find Leoline and restore her to you; and I have never yet + broken my word of honor to any man,” said Hubert, drawing himself up. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will trust you, because I cannot do anything better,” said Sir + Norman, rather dolefully; “but why not let me go with you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no! that would never do! I must go alone, and you must trust me + implicitly. Give me your hand upon it.” + </p> + <p> + They shook hands silently, went down stairs, and stood for a moment at the + door. + </p> + <p> + “You'll find me here at any hour between this and morning,” said Sir + Norman. “Farewell now, and Heaven speed you!” + </p> + <p> + The boy waved his hand in adieu, and started off at a sharp pace. Sir + Norman turned in the opposite direction for a short walk, to cool the + fever in his blood, and think over all that had happened. As he went + slowly along, in the shadow of the houses, he suddenly tripped up over + something lying in his path, and was nearly precipitated over it. + </p> + <p> + Stooping down to examine the stumbling-block, it proved to be the rigid + body of a man, and that man was Ormiston, stark and dead, with his face + upturned to the calm night-sky. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. THE HIDDEN FACE + </h2> + <p> + When Mr. Malcolm Ormiston, with his usual good sense and penetration, took + himself off, and left Leoline and Sir Norman tete-a-tete, his steps turned + as mechanically as the needle to the North Pole toward La Masque's house. + Before it he wandered, around it he wandered, like an uneasy ghost, lost + in speculation about the hidden face, and fearfully impatient about the + flight of time. If La Masque saw him hovering aloof and unable to tear + himself away, perhaps it might touch her obdurate heart, and cause her to + shorten the dreary interval, and summon him to her presence at once. Just + then some one opened the door, and his heart began to beat with + anticipation; some one pronounced his name, and, going over, he saw the + animated bag of bones—otherwise his lady-love's vassal and porter. + </p> + <p> + “La Masque says,” began the attenuated lackey, and Ormiston's heart nearly + jumped out of his mouth, “that she can't have anybody hanging about her + house like its shadow; and she wants you to go away, and keep away, till + the time comes she has mentioned.” + </p> + <p> + So saying the skeleton shut the door, and Ormiston's heart went down to + zero. There being nothing for it but obedience, however, he slowly and + reluctantly turned away, feeling in his bones, that if ever he came to the + bliss and ecstasy of calling La Masque Mrs. Ormiston, the gray mare in his + stable would be by long odds the better horse. Unintentionally his steps + turned to the water-side, and he descended the flight of stairs, + determined to get into a boat and watch the illumination from the river. + </p> + <p> + Late as was the hour, the Thames seemed alive with ferries and barges, and + their numerous lights danced along the surface like fire-flies over a + marsh. A gay barge, gilded and cushioned, was going slowly past; and as he + stood directly under the lamp, he was recognized by a gentleman within it, + who leaned over and hailed him, + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston! I say, Ormiston!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my lord,” said Ormiston, recognizing the handsome face and animated + voice of the Earl of Rochester. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any engagement for the next half-hour? If not, do me the favor + to take a seat here, and watch London in flames from the river.” + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart,” said Ormiston, running down to the water's edge, and + leaping into the boat. “With all this bustle of life around here, one + would think it were noonday instead of midnight.” + </p> + <p> + “The whole city is astir about these fires. Have you any idea they will be + successful?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the least. You know, my lord, the prediction runs, that the plague + will rage till the living are no longer able to bury the dead.” + </p> + <p> + “It will soon come to that,” said the earl shuddering slightly, “if it + continues increasing much longer as it does now daily. How do the bills of + mortality run to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not heard. Hark! There goes St. Paul's tolling twelve.” + </p> + <p> + “And there goes a flash of fire—the first among many. Look, look! + How they spring up into the black darkness.” + </p> + <p> + “They will not do it long. Look at the sky, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + The earl glanced up at the midnight sky, of a dull and dingy red color, + except where black and heavy clouds were heaving like angry billows, all + dingy with smoke and streaked with bars of fiery red. + </p> + <p> + “I see! There is a storm coming, and a heavy one! Our worthy burghers and + most worshipful Lord Mayor will see their fires extinguished shortly, and + themselves sent home with wet jackets.” + </p> + <p> + “And for weeks, almost month, there has not fallen a drop of rain,” + remarked Ormiston, gravely. + </p> + <p> + “A remarkable coincidence, truly. There seems to be a fatality hanging + over this devoted city.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder your lordship remains?” + </p> + <p> + The earl shrugged his shoulders significantly. + </p> + <p> + “It is not so easy leaving it as you think, Mr. Ormiston; but I am to turn + my back to it to-morrow for a brief period. You are aware, I suppose, that + the court leaves before daybreak for Oxford.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I have heard something of it—how long to remain?” + </p> + <p> + “Till Charles takes it into his head to come back again,” said the earl, + familiarly, “which will probably be in a week or two. Look at that sky, + all black and scarlet; and look at those people—I scarcely thought + there were half the number left alive in London.” + </p> + <p> + “Even the sick have come out to-night,” said Ormiston. “Half the + pest-stricken in the city have left their beds, full of newborn hope. One + would think it were a carnival.” + </p> + <p> + “So it is—a carnival of death! I hope, Ormiston,” said the earl, + looking at him with a light laugh, “the pretty little white fairy we + rescued from the river is not one of the sick parading the streets.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston looked grave. + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord, I think she is not. I left her safe and secure.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is she, Ormiston?” coaxed the earl, laughingly. “Pshaw, man! don't + make a mountain out of a mole-hill! Tell me her name!” + </p> + <p> + “Her name is Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “What else?” + </p> + <p> + “That is just what I would like to have some one tell me. I give you my + honor, my lord, I do not know.” + </p> + <p> + The earl's face, half indignant, half incredulous, wholly curious, made + Ormiston smile. + </p> + <p> + “It is a fact, my lord. I asked her her name, and she told me Leoline—a + pretty title enough, but rather unsatisfactory.” + </p> + <p> + “How long have you known her?” + </p> + <p> + “To the best of my belief,” said Ormiston, musingly, “about four hours.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense!” cried the earl, energetically. “What are you telling me, + Ormiston? You said she was an old friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, my lord, I said no such thing. I told you she had + escaped from her friends, which was strictly true.” + </p> + <p> + “Then how the demon had you the impudence to come up and carry her off in + that style? I certainly had a better right to her than you—the right + of discovery; and I shall call upon you to deliver her up!” + </p> + <p> + “If she belonged to me I should only be too happy to oblige your + lordship,” laughed Ormiston; “but she is at present the property of Sir + Norman Kingsley, and to him you must apply.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! His inamorata, is she? Well, I must say his taste is excellent; but I + should think you ought to know her name, since you and he are noted for + being a modern Damon and Pythias.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably I should, my lord, only Sir Norman, unfortunately, does not know + himself.” + </p> + <p> + The earl's countenance looked so utterly blank at this announcement, that + Ormiston was forced to throw in a word of explanation. + </p> + <p> + “I mean to say, my lord, that he has fallen in love with her; and, judging + from appearances, I should say his flame is not altogether hopeless, + although they have met to-night for the first time.” + </p> + <p> + “A rapid passion. Where have you left her, Ormiston?” + </p> + <p> + “In her own house, my lord,” Ormiston replied, smiling quietly to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Where is that?” + </p> + <p> + “About a dozen yards from where I stood when you called me.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are her family?” continued the earl, who seemed possessed of a + devouring curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “She has none that I know of. I imagine Mistress Leoline is an orphan. I + know there was not a living soul but ourselves in the house I brought her + to.” + </p> + <p> + “And you left her there alone?” exclaimed the earl, half starting up, as + if about to order the boatman to row back to the landing. + </p> + <p> + Ormiston looked at his excited face with a glance full of quiet malice. + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord, not quits; Sir Norman Kingsley was with her!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the earl, smiling back with a look of chagrin. “Then he will + probably find out her name before he comes away. I wonder you could give + her up so easily to him, after all your trouble!” + </p> + <p> + “Smitten, my lord?” inquired Ormiston, maliciously. + </p> + <p> + “Hopelessly!” replied the earl, with a deep sigh. “She was a perfect + little beauty; and if I can find her, I warn Sir Norman Kingsley to take + care! I have already sent Hubert out in search of her; and, by the way,” + said the earl, with a sudden increase of animation, “what a wonderful + resemblance she bears to Hubert—I could almost swear they were one + and the same!” + </p> + <p> + “The likeness is marvelous; but I should hate to take such an oath. I + confess I am somewhat curious myself; but I stand no chance of having it + gratified before to-morrow, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + “How those fires blaze! It is much brighter than at noon-day. Show me the + house in which Leoline lies?”. + </p> + <p> + Ormiston easily pointed it out, and showed the earl the light still + burning in her window. + </p> + <p> + “It was in that room we found her first, dead of the plague!” + </p> + <p> + “Dead of the what?” cried the earl, aghast. + </p> + <p> + “Dead of the plague! I'll tell your lordship how it was,” said Ormiston, + who forthwith commend and related the story of their finding Leoline; of + the resuscitation at the plague-pit; of the flight from Sir Norman's + house, and of the delirious plunge into the river, and miraculous cure. + </p> + <p> + “A marvelous story,” commented the earl, much interested. “And Leoline + seems to have as many lives as a cat! Who can she be—a princess in + disguise—eh, Ormiston?” + </p> + <p> + “She looks fit to be a princess, or anything else; but your lordship knows + as much about her, now, as I do.” + </p> + <p> + “You say she was dressed as a bride—how came that?” + </p> + <p> + “Simply enough. She was to be married to-night, had she not taken the + plague instead.” + </p> + <p> + “Married? Why, I thought you told me a few minutes ago she was in love + with Kingsley. It seems to me, Mr. Ormiston, your remarks are a trifle + inconsistent,” said the earl, in a tone of astonished displeasure. + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, they are all perfectly true. Mistress Leoline was to be + married, as I told you; but she was to marry to please her friends, and + not herself. She had been in the habit of watching Kingsley go past her + window; and the way she blushed, and went through the other little + motions, convinces me that his course of true love will ran as smooth as + this glassy river runs at present.” + </p> + <p> + “Kingsley is a lucky fellow. Will the discarded suitor have no voice in + the matter; or is he such a simpleton as to give her up at a word?” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! to be sure; what will the count say? And, judging from some things + I've heard, I should say he is violently in love with her.” + </p> + <p> + “Count who?” asked Rochester. “Or has he, like his ladylove, no other + name?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! The name of the gentleman who was so nearly blessed for life, and + missed it, is Count L'Estrange!” + </p> + <p> + The earl had been lying listlessly back, only half intent upon his answer, + as he watched the fire; but now he sprang sharply up, and stared Ormiston + full in the face. + </p> + <p> + “Count what did you say?” was his eager question, while his eyes, more + eager than his voice, strove to read the reply before it was repeated. + </p> + <p> + “Count L'Estrange. You know him, my lord?” said Ormiston, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the earl. And then such a strange meaning smile went wandering + about his face. “I have not said that! So his name is Count L'Estrange? + Well, I don't wonder now at the girl's beauty.” + </p> + <p> + The earl sank back to his former nonchalant position and fell for a moment + or two into deep musing; and then, as if the whole thing struck him in a + new and ludicrous light, he broke out into an immoderate fit of laughter. + Ormiston looked at him curiously. + </p> + <p> + “It is my turn to ask questions, now, my lord. Who is Count L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + “I know of no such person, Ormiston. I was thinking of something else! Was + it Leoline who told you that was her lover's name?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I heard it by mere accident from another person. I am sure, if + Leoline is not a personage in disguise, he is.” + </p> + <p> + “And why do you think so?” + </p> + <p> + “An inward conviction, my lord. So you will not tell me who he is?” + </p> + <p> + “Have I not told you I know of no such person as Count L'Estrange? You + ought to believe me. Oh, here it comes.” + </p> + <p> + This last was addressed to a great drop of rain, which splashed heavily on + his upturned face, followed by another and another in quick succession. + </p> + <p> + “The storm is upon us,” said the earl, sitting up and wrapping his cloak + closer around him, “and I am for Whitehall. Shall we land you, Ormiston, + or take you there, too?” + </p> + <p> + “I must land,” said Ormiston. “I have a pressing engagement for the next + half-hour. Here it is, in a perfect deluge; the fires will be out in five + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + The barge touched the stairs, and Ormiston sprang out, with “Good-night” + to the earl. The rain was rushing along, now, in torrents, and he ran + upstairs and darted into an archway of the bridge, to seek the shelter. + Some one else had come there before him, in search of the same thing; for + he saw two dark figures standing within it as he entered. + </p> + <p> + “A sudden storm,” was Ormiston's salutation, “and a furious one. There go + the fires—hiss and splutter. I knew how it would be.” + </p> + <p> + “Then Saul and Mr. Ormiston are among the prophets?” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston had heard that voice before; it was associated in his mind with a + slouched hat and shadowy cloak; and by the fast-fading flicker of the + firelight, he saw that both were here. The speaker was Count L'Estrange; + the figure beside him, slender and boyish, was unknown. + </p> + <p> + “You have the advantage of me, sir,” he said affecting ignorance. “May I + ask who you are?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. A gentlemen, by courtesy and the grace of God.” + </p> + <p> + “And your name?” + </p> + <p> + “Count L'Estrange, at your service.” + </p> + <p> + Ormiston lifted his cap and bowed, with a feeling somehow, that the count + was a man in authority. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ormiston assisted in doing a good deed, tonight, for a friend of + mine,” said the count. + </p> + <p> + “Will he add to that obligation by telling me if he has not discovered her + again, and brought her back?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you refer to the fair lady in yonder house?” + </p> + <p> + “So she is there? I thought so, George,” said the count, addressing + himself to his companion. “Yes, I refer to her, the lady you saved from + the river. You brought her there?” + </p> + <p> + “I brought her there,” replied Ormiston. + </p> + <p> + “She is there still?” + </p> + <p> + “I presume so. I have heard nothing to the contrary.” + </p> + <p> + “And alone?” + </p> + <p> + “She may be, now. Sir Norman Kingsley was with her when I left her,” said + Ormiston, administering the fact with infinite relish. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment's silence. Ormiston could not see the count's face; + but, judging from his own feelings, he fancied its expression must be + sweet. The wild rush of the storm alone broke the silence, until the + spirit again moved the count to speak. + </p> + <p> + “By what right does Sir Norman Kingsley visit her?” he inquired, in a + voice betokening not the least particle of emotion. + </p> + <p> + “By the best of rights—that of her preserver, hoping soon to be her + lover.” + </p> + <p> + There was an other brief silence, broken again by the count, in the same + composed tone: + </p> + <p> + “Since the lady holds her levee so late, I, too, must have a word with + her, when this deluge permits one to go abroad without danger of + drowning.” + </p> + <p> + “It shown symptoms of clearing off, already,” said Ormiston, who, in his + secret heart, thought it would be an excellent joke to bring the rivals + face to face in the lady's presence; “so you will not have long to wait.” + </p> + <p> + To which observation the count replied not; and the three stood in + silence, watching the fury of the storm. + </p> + <p> + Gradually it cleared away; and as the moon began to straggle out between + the rifts in the clouds, the count saw something by her pale light that + Ormiston saw not. That latter gentleman, standing with his back to the + house of Leoline, and his face toward that of La Masque, did not observe + the return of Sir Norman from St. Paul's, nor look after him as he rode + away. But the count did both; and ten minutes after, when the rain had + entirely ceased, and the moon and stars got the better of the clouds in + their struggle for supremacy, he beheld La Masque flitting like a dark + shadow in the same direction, and vanishing in at Leoline's door. The same + instant, Ormiston started to go. + </p> + <p> + “The storm has entirely ceased,” he said, stepping out, and with the + profound air of one making a new discovery, “and we are likely to have + fine weather for the remainder of the night—or rather, morning. Good + night, count.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell,” said the count, as he and, his companion came out from the + shadow of the archway, and turned to follow La Masque. + </p> + <p> + Ormiston, thinking the hour of waiting had elapsed, and feeling much more + interested in the coming meeting than in Leoline or her visitors, paid + very little attention to his two acquaintances. He saw them, it is true, + enter Leoline's house, but at the same instant, he took up his post at La + Masque's doorway, and concentrated his whole attention on that piece of + architecture. Every moment seemed like a week now; and before he had stood + at his post five minutes, he had worked himself up into a perfect fever of + impatience. Sometimes he was inclined to knock and seek La Masque in her + own home; but as often the fear of a chilling rebuke paralyzed his hand + when he raised it. He was so sure she was within the house, that he never + thought of looking for her elsewhere; and when, at the expiration of what + seemed to him a century or two, but which in reality was about a quarter + of an hour, there was a soft rustling of drapery behind him, and the + sweetest of voices sounded in his ear, it fairly made him bound. + </p> + <p> + “Here again, Mr. Ormiston? Is this the fifth or sixth time I've found you + in this place to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “La Masque!” he cried, between joy and surprise. “But surely, I was not + totally unexpected this time?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not. You are waiting here for me to redeem my promise, I + suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Can you doubt it? Since I knew you first, I have desired this hour as the + blind desire sight.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! And you will find it as sweet to look back upon as you have to look + forward to,” said La Masque, derisively. “If you are wise for yourself, + Mr. Ormiston, you will pause here, and give me back that fatal word.” + </p> + <p> + “Never, madame! And surely you will not be so pitilessly cruel as to draw + back, now?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have promised, and I shall perform; and let the consequences be + what they may, they will rest upon your own head. You have been warned, + and you still insist.” + </p> + <p> + “I still insist!” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us move farther over here into the shadow of the houses; this + moonlight is so dreadfully bright!” + </p> + <p> + They moved on into the deep shadow, and there was a pulse throbbing in + Ormiston's head and heart like the beating of a muffed drum. They paused + and faced each other silently. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, madame!” cried Ormiston, hoarsely, his whole face flushed wildly. + </p> + <p> + His strange companion lifted her hand as if to remove the mask, and he saw + that it shook like an aspen. She made one motion as though about to lift + it, and then recoiled, as if from herself, in a sort of horror. + </p> + <p> + “My God! What is this man urging me to do? How can I ever fulfill that + fatal promise?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you torture me!” said Ormiston, whose face showed what he felt. + “You must keep your promise; so do not drive me wild waiting. Let me—” + </p> + <p> + He took a step toward her, as if to lift the mask himself, but she held + out both arms to keep him off. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no! Come not near me, Malcolm Ormiston! Fated man, since you will + rush on your doom, Look! and let the sight blast you, if it will!” + </p> + <p> + She unfastened her mask, raised it, and with it the profusion of long, + sweeping black hair. + </p> + <p> + Ormiston did look—in much the same way, perhaps, that Zulinka looked + at the Veiled Prophet. The next moment there was a terrible cry, and he + fell headlong with a crash, as if a bullet had whined through his heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. THE INTERVIEW. + </h2> + <p> + I am not aware whether fainting was as much the fashion among the fair + sex, in the days (or rather the nights) of which I have the honor to hold + forth, as at the present time; but I am inclined to think not, from the + simple fact that Leoline, though like John Bunyan, “grievously troubled + and tossed about in her mind,” did nothing of the kind. For the first few + moments, she was altogether too stunned by the suddenness of the shock to + cry out or make the least resistance, and was conscious of nothing but of + being rapidly borne along in somebody's arms. When this hazy view of + things passed away, her new sensation was, the intensely uncomfortable one + of being on the verge of suffocation. She made one frantic but futile + effort to free herself and scream for help, but the strong arms held her + with most loving tightness, and her cry was drowned in the hot atmosphere + within the shawl, and never passed beyond it. Most assuredly Leoline would + have been smothered then and there, had their journey been much longer; + but, fortunately for her, it was only the few yards between her house and + the river. She knew she was then carried down some steps, and she heard + the dip of the oars in the water, and then her bearer paused, and went + through a short dialogue with somebody else—with Count L'Estrange, + she rather felt than knew, for nothing was audible but a low murmur. The + only word she could make out was a low, emphatic “Remember!” in the + count's voice, and then she knew she was in a boat, and that it was shoved + off, and moving down the rapid river. The feeling of heat and suffocation + was dreadful and as her abductor placed her on some cushions, she made + another desperate but feeble effort to free herself from the smothering + shawl, but a hand was laid lightly on hers, and a voice interposed. + </p> + <p> + “Lady, it is quite useless for you to struggle, as you are irrevocably in + my power, but if you will promise faithfully not to make any outcry, and + will submit to be blindfolded, I shall remove this oppressive muffling + from your head. Tell me if you will promise.” + </p> + <p> + He had partly raised the shawl, and a gush of free air came revivingly in, + and enabled Leoline to gasp out a faint “I promise!” As she spoke, it was + lifted off altogether, and she caught one bright fleeting glimpse of the + river, sparkling and silvery in the moonlight; of the bright blue sky, + gemmed with countless stars, and of some one by her side in the dress of a + court-page, whose face was perfectly unknown to her. The next instant, a + bandage was bound tightly over her eyes, excluding every ray of light, + while the strange voice again spoke apologetically, + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, lady, but it is my orders! I am commanded to treat you with every + respect, but not to let you see where you are borne to.” + </p> + <p> + “By what right does Count L'Estrange commit this outrage!” began Leoline, + almost as imperiously as Miranda herself, and making use of her tongue, + like a true woman, the very first moment it was at her disposal. “How dare + he carry me off in this atrocious way? Whoever you are, sir, if you have + the spirit of a man, you will bring me directly back to my own house.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry, lady, but I have received orders that must be obeyed! + You must come with me, but you need fear nothing; you will be as safe and + secure as in your own home.” + </p> + <p> + “Secure enough, no doubt!” said Leoline, bitterly. “I never did like Count + L'Estrange, but I never knew he was a coward and a villain till now!” + </p> + <p> + Her companion made no reply to this forcible address, and there was a + moment's indignant silence on Leoline's part, broken only by the dip of + the oars, and the rippling of the water. Then, + </p> + <p> + “Will you not tell me, at least, where you are taking me to?” haughtily + demanded Leoline. + </p> + <p> + “Lady, I cannot! It was to prevent you knowing, that you have been + blindfolded.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! your master has a faithful servant, I see! How long am I to be kept a + prisoner?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Count L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell.” + </p> + <p> + “Where am I to see him?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot say.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” said Leoline, with infinite contempt, and turning her back upon him + she relapsed into gloomy silence. It had all been so sudden, and had taken + her so much by surprise, that she had not had time to think of the + consequences until now. But now they came upon her with a rush, and with + dismal distinctness; and most distinct among all was, what would Sir + Norman say! Of course, with all a lover's impatience, he would be at his + post by sunrise, would come to look for his bride, and find himself sold! + By that time she would be far enough away, perhaps a melancholy corpse + (and at this dreary passage in her meditations, Leoline sighed + profoundly), and he would never know what had become of her, or how much + and how long she had loved him. And this hateful Count L'Estrange, what + did he intend to do with her? Perhaps go so far as to make her marry him, + and imprison her with the rest of his wives; for Leoline was prepared to + think the very worst of the count, and had not the slightest doubt that he + already had a harem full of abducted wives, somewhere. But no—he + never could do that, he might do what he liked with weaker minds, but she + never would be a bride of his while the plague or poison was to be had in + London. And with this invincible determination rooted fixedly, not to say + obstinately, in her mind, she was nearly pitched overboard by the boat + suddenly landing at some unexpected place. A little natural scream of + terror was repressed on her lips by a hand being placed over them, and the + determined but perfectly respectful tones of the person beside her + speaking. + </p> + <p> + “Remember your promise, lady, and do not make a noise. We have arrived at + our journey's end, and if you will take my arm, I will lead you along, + instead of carrying you.” + </p> + <p> + Leoline was rather surprised to find the journey so short, but she arose + directly, with silence and dignity—at least with as much of the + latter commodity as could be reasonably expected, considering that boats + on water are rather unsteady things to be dignified in—and was led + gently and with care out of the swaying vessel, and up another flight of + stairs. Then, in a few moments, she was conscious of passing from the free + night air into the closer atmosphere of a house; and in going through an + endless labyrinth of corridors, and passages, and suites of rooms, and + flights of stairs, until she became so extremely tired, that she stopped + with spirited abruptness, and in the plainest possible English, gave her + conductor to understand that they had gone about far enough for all + practical purposes. To which that patient and respectful individual + replied that he was glad to inform her they had but a few more steps to + go, which the next moment proved to be true, for he stopped and announced + that their promenade was over for the night. + </p> + <p> + “And I suppose I may have the use of my eyes at last?” inquired Leoline, + with more haughtiness than Sir Norman could have believed possible so + gentle a voice could have expressed. + </p> + <p> + For reply, her companion rapidly untied the bandage, and withdrew it with + a flourish. The dazzling brightness that burst upon her, so blinded her, + that for a moment she could distinguish nothing; and when she looked round + to contemplate her companion, she found him hurriedly making his exit, and + securely locking the door. + </p> + <p> + The sound of the key turning in the lock gave her a most peculiar + sensation, which none but those who have experienced it can properly + understand. It is not the most comfortable feeling in the world to know + you are a prisoner, even if you have no key turned upon you but the + weather, and your jailer be a high east wind and lashing rain. Leoline's + prison and jailer were something worse; and, for the first time, a chill + of fear and dismay crept icily to the core of her heart. But Leoline had + something of Miranda's courage, as well as her looks and temper; so she + tried to feel as brave as possible, and not think of her unpleasant + predicament while there remained anything else to think about. Perhaps she + might escape, too; and, as this notion struck her, she looked with eager + anxiety, not unmixed with curiosity, at the place where she was. By this + time, her eyes had been accustomed to the light, which proceeded from a + great antique lamp of bronze, pendent by a brass chain from the ceiling; + and she saw she was in a moderately sized and by no means splendid room. + But what struck her most was, that everything had a look of age about it, + from the glittering oak beams of the floor to the faded ghostly hangings + on the wall. There was a bed at one end—a great spectral ark of a + thing, like a mausoleum, with drapery as old and spectral as that on the + walls, and in which she could no more have lain than in a moth-eaten + shroud. The seats and the one table the room held were of the same ancient + and weird pattern, and the sight of them gave her a shivering sensation + not unlike an ague chill. There was but one door—a huge structure, + with shining panels, securely locked; and escape from that quarter was + utterly out of the question. There was one window, hung with dark curtains + of tarnished embroidery, but in pushing them aside, she met only a dull + blank of unlighted glass, for the shutters were firmly secured without. + Altogether, she could not form the slightest idea where she was; and, with + a feeling of utter despair, she sat down on one of the queer old chairs, + with much the same feeling as if she were sitting in a tomb. + </p> + <p> + What would Sir Norman say? What would he ever think of her, when he found + her gone. And what was destined to be her fate in this dreadful + out-of-the-way place? She would have cried, as most of her sex would be + tempted to do in such a situation, but that her dislike and horror of + Count L'Estrange was a good deal stronger than her grief, and turned her + tears to sparks of indignant fire. Never, never, never! would she be his + wife! He might kill her a thousand times, if he liked, and she wouldn't + yield an inch. She did not mind dying in a good cause; she could do it but + once. And with Sir Norman despising her, as she felt he must do, when he + found her run away, she rather liked the idea than otherwise. Mentally, + she bade adieu to all her friends before beginning to prepare for her + melancholy fate—to her handsome lover, to his gallant friend + Ormiston, to her poor nurse, Prudence, and to her mysterious visitor, La + Masque. + </p> + <p> + La Masque! Ah! that name awoke a new chord of recollection—the + casket, she had it with her yet. Instantly, everything was forgotten but + it and its contents; and she placed a chair directly under the lamp, drew + it out, and looked at it. It was a pretty little bijou itself, with its + polished ivory surface, and shining clasps of silver. But the inside had + far more interest for her than the outside, and she fitted the key and + unlocked it with a trembling hand. It was lined with azure velvet, wrought + with silver thread, in dainty wreathe of water lilies; and in the bottom, + neatly folded, lay a sheet of foolscap. She opened it with nervous haste; + it was a common sheet enough, stamped with fool's cap and bells, that + showed it belonged to Cromwell's time. It was closely written, in a light, + fair hand, and bore the title “Leoline's History.” + </p> + <p> + Leoline's hand trembled so with eagerness, she could scarcely hold the + paper; but her eye rapidly ran from line to line, and she stopped not till + she reached the end. While she read, her face alternately flushed and + paled, her eyes dilated, her lips parted; and before she finished it, + there came over all a look of the most unutterable horror. It dropped from + her powerless fingers as she finished; and she sank back in her chair with + such a ghastly paleness, that it seemed absolutely like the lividness of + death. + </p> + <p> + A sudden and startling noise awoke her from her trance of horror—some + one trying to get in at the window! The chill of terror it sent through + every vein acted as a sort of counter-irritant to the other feeling, and + she sprang from her chair and turned her face fearfully toward the sounds. + But in all her terror she did not forget the mysterious sheet of foolscap, + which lay, looking up at her, on the floor; and she snatched it up, and + thrust it and the casket out of sight. Still the sounds went on, but + softly and cautiously; and at intervals, as if the worker were afraid of + being heard. Leoline went back, step by step, to the other extremity of + the room, with her eyes still fixed on the window, and on her face a white + terror, that left her perfectly colorless. + </p> + <p> + Who could it be? Not Count L'Estrange, for he would surely not need to + enter his own house like a burglar—not Sir Norman Kingsley, for he + could certainly not find out her abduction and her prison so soon, and she + had no other friends in the whole wide world to trouble themselves about + her. There was one, but the idea of ever seeing her again was so + unspeakably dreadful, that she would rather have seen the most horrible + spectre her imagination could conjure up, than that tall, graceful, + rich-robed form. + </p> + <p> + Still the noises perseveringly continued; there was the sound of + withdrawing bolts, and then a pale ray of moonlight shot between the + parted curtains, shoving the shutters had been opened. Whiter and whiter + Leoline grew, and she felt herself growing cold and rigid with mortal + fear. Softly the window was raised, a hand stole in and parted the + curtains, and a pale face and two great dark eyes wandered slowly round + the room, and rested at last on her, standing, like a galvanized corpse, + as far from the window as the wall would permit. The hand was lifted in a + warning gesture, as if to enforce silence; the window was raised still + higher, a figure, lithe and agile as a cat, sprang lightly into the room, + and standing with his back to her, re-closed the shutters, re-shut the + window, and re-drew the curtains, before taking the trouble to turn round. + </p> + <p> + This discreet little manoeuvre, which showed her visitor was human, and + gifted with human prudence, re-assured Leoline a little; and, to judge by + the reverse of the medal, the nocturnal intruder was nothing very + formidable after all. But the stranger did not keep her long in suspense; + while she stood gazing at him, as if fascinated, he turned round, stepped + forward, took off his cap, made her a courtly bow, and then straightening + himself up, prepared, with great coolness, to scrutinize and be + scrutinized. + </p> + <p> + Well might they look at each other; for the two faces were perfectly the + same, and each one saw himself and herself as others saw them. There was + the same coal-black, curling hair; the same lustrous dark eyes; the same + clear, colorless complexion, the same delicate, perfect features; nothing + was different but the costume and the expression. That latter was + essentially different, for the young lady's betrayed amazement, terror, + doubt, and delight all at once; while the young gentleman's was a grand, + careless surprise, mixed with just a dash of curiosity. + </p> + <p> + He was the first to speak; and after they had stared at each other for the + space of five minutes, he described a graceful sweep with his hand, and + held forth in the following strain, + </p> + <p> + “I greatly fear, fair Leoline, that I have startled you by my sudden and + surprising entrance; and if I have been the cause of a moment's alarm to + one so perfectly beautiful, I shall hate myself for ever after. If I could + have got in any other way, rest assured I would not have risked my neck + and your peace of mind by such a suspicious means of ingress as the + window; but if you will take the trouble to notice, the door is thick, and + I am composed of too solid flesh to whisk through the keyhole; so I had to + make my appearance the best way I could.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” faintly asked Leoline. + </p> + <p> + “Your friend, fair lady, and Sir Norman Kingsley's.” + </p> + <p> + Hubert looked to see Leoline start and blush, and was deeply gratified to + see her do both; and her whole pretty countenance became alive with + new-born hope, as if that name were a magic talisman of freedom and joy. + </p> + <p> + “What is your name, and who are you?” she inquired, in a breathless sort + of way, that made Hubert look at her a moment in calm astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “I have told you your friend; christened at some remote period, Hubert. + For further particulars, apply to the Earl of Rochester, whose page I am.” + </p> + <p> + “The Earl of Rochester's page!” she repeated, in the same quick, excited + way, that surprised and rather lowered her in that good youth's opinion, + for giving way to any feelings so plebeian. “It is—it must be the + same!” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt of it,” said Hubert. “The same what?” + </p> + <p> + “Did you not come from France—from Dijon, recently?” went on + Leoline, rather inappositely, as it struck her hearer. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I came from Dijon. Had I the honor of being known to you + there?” + </p> + <p> + “How strange! How wonderful!” said Leoline, with a paling cheek and + quickened breathing. “How mysterious those things turn out I Thank Heaven + that I have found some one to love at last!” + </p> + <p> + This speech, which was Greek, algebra, high Dutch, or thereabouts, to + Master Hubert, caused him to stare to such an extent, that when he came to + think of it afterward, positively shocked him. The two great, wondering + dark eyes transfixing her with so much amazement, brought Leoline to a + sense of her talking unfathomable mysteries, quite incomprehensible to her + handsome auditor. She looked at him with a smile, held out her hand; and + Hubert received a strange little electric thrill, to see that her eyes + were full of tears. He took the hand and raised it to his lips, wondering + if the young lady, struck by his good looks, had conceived a rash and + inordinate attack of love at first sight, and was about to offer herself + to him and discard Sir Norman for ever. From this speculation, the sweet + voice aroused him. + </p> + <p> + “You have told me who you are. Now, do you know who I am?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so, fairest Leoline. I know you are the most beautiful lady in + England, and to-morrow will be called Lady Kingsley!” + </p> + <p> + “I am something more,” said Leoline, holding his hand between both hers, + and bending near him; “I am your sister!” + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Rochester's page must have had good blood in his veins; for + never was there duke, grandee, or peer of the realm, more radically and + unaffectedly nonchalant than he. To this unexpected announcement he + listened with most dignified and well-bred composure, and in his secret + heart, or rather vanity, more disappointed than otherwise, to find his + first solution of her tenderness a great mistake. Leoline held his hand + tight in hers, and looked with loving and tearful eyes in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Hubert, you are my brother—my long-unknown brother, and I love + you with my whole heart!” + </p> + <p> + “Am I?” said Hubert. “I dare say I am, for they all say we look as much + alike as two peas. I am excessively delighted to hear it, and to know that + you love me. Permit me to embrace my new relative.” + </p> + <p> + With which the court page kissed Leoline with emphasis, while she scarcely + knew whether to laugh, cry, or be provoked at his composure. On the whole, + she did a little of all three, and pushed him away with a halt pout. + </p> + <p> + “You insensible mortal! How can you stand there and hear that you have + found a sister with so much indifference?” + </p> + <p> + “Indifferent? Not I! You have no idea how wildly excited I am!” said + Hubert, in a voice not betokening the slightest emotion. “How did you find + it out, Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind! I shall tell you that again. You don't doubt it, I hope?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not! I knew from the first moment I set eyes on you, that if + you were not my sister, you ought to be! I wish you'd tell me all the + particulars, Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall do so as soon as I am out of this; but how can I tell you + anything here?” + </p> + <p> + “That's true!” said Hubert, reflectively. “Well, I'll wait. Now, don't you + wonder how I found you out, and came here?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed I do. How was it, Hubert?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, I don't know as I can altogether tell you; but you see, Sir + Norman Kingsley being possessed of an inspiration that something was + happening to you, came to your house a short time ago, and, as he + suspected, discovered that you were missing. I met him there, rather + depressed in his mind about it, and he told me—beginning the + conversation, I must say, in a very excited manner,” said Hubert, + parenthetically, as memory recalled the furious shaking he had undergone—“and + he told me he fancied you were abducted, and by one Count L'Estrange. Now + I had a hazy idea who Count L'Estrange was, and where he would be most apt + to take you to; and so I came here, and after some searching, more + inquiring, and a few unmitigated falsehoods (you'll regret to hear), + discovered you were locked up in this place, and succeeded in getting in + through the window. Sir Norman is waiting for me in a state of distraction + so now, having found you, I will go and relieve his mind by reporting + accordingly.” + </p> + <p> + “And leave me here?” cried Leoline, in affright, “and in the power of + Count L'Estrange? Oh! no, no! You must take me with you, Hubert!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Leoline, it is quite impossible to do it without help, and + without a ladder. I will return to Sir Norman; and when the darkness comes + that precedes day-dawn, we will raise the ladder to your window, and try + to get you out. Be patient—only wait an hour or two, and then you + will be free.” + </p> + <p> + “But, O Hubert, where am I? What dreadful place it this?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I do not know that this is a very dreadful place; and most people + consider it a sufficiently respectable house; but, still, I would rather + see my sister anywhere else than in it, and will take the trouble of + kidnapping her out of it as quickly as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Hubert, tell me—do tell me, who is Count L'Estrange?” Hubert + laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Cannot, really, Leoline! at least, not until to-morrow, and you are Lady + Kingsley.” + </p> + <p> + “But, what if he should come here to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not think there is much danger of that, but whether he does or not, + rest assured you shall be free to-morrow! At all events, it is quite + impossible for you to escape with me now; and even as it is, I run the + risk of being detected, and made a prisoner, myself. You must be patient + and wait, Leoline, and trust to Providence and your brother Hubert!” + </p> + <p> + “I must, I suppose!” said Leoline, sighing, “and you cannot take me away + until day-dawn.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite impossible; and then all this drapery of yours will be ever so much + in the way. Would you object to garments like these?” pointing to his + doublet and hose. “If you would not, I think I could procure you a + fit-out.” + </p> + <p> + “But I should, though!” said Leoline, with spirit “and most decidedly, + too! I shall wear nothing of the kind, Sir Page!” + </p> + <p> + “Every one to her fancy!” said Hubert, with a French shrug, “and my pretty + sister shall have hers in spite of earth, air, fire, and water! And now, + fair Leoline, for a brief time, adieu, and au revoir!” + </p> + <p> + “You will not fail me!” exclaimed Leoline, earnestly, clasping her hands. + </p> + <p> + “If I do, it shall be the last thing I will fail in on earth; for if I am + alive by to-morrow morning, Leoline shall be free!” + </p> + <p> + “And you will be careful—you will both be careful!” + </p> + <p> + “Excessively careful! Now then.” + </p> + <p> + The last two words were addressed to the window which he noiselessly + opened as he spoke. Leoline caught a glimpse of the bright free moonlight, + and watched him with desperate envy; but the next moment the shutters were + closed, and Hubert and the moonlight were both gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. HUBERT'S WHISPER. + </h2> + <p> + Sir Norman Kingsley's consternation and horror on discovering the dead + body of his friend, was only equalled by his amazement as to how he got + there, or how he came to be dead at all. The livid face, up turned to the + moonlight, was unmistakably the face of a dead man—it was no swoon, + no deception, like Leoline's; for the blue, ghastly paleness that marks + the flight of the soul from the body was stamped on every rigid feature. + Yet, Sir Norman could not realize it. We all know how hard it is to + realize the death of a friend from whom we have but lately parted in full + health and life, and Ormiston's death was so sudden. Why, it was not quite + two hours since they had parted in Leoline's house, and even the plague + could not carry off a victim as quickly as this. + </p> + <p> + “Ormiston! Ormiston!” he called, between grief and dismay, as he raised + him in his arms, with his hand over the stilled heart; but Ormiston + answered not, and the heart gave no pulsation beneath his fingers. He tore + open his doublet, as the thought of the plague flashed through his mind, + but no plague-spot was to be seen, and it was quite evident, from the + appearance of the face, that he had not died of the distemper, neither was + there any wound or mark to show that he had met his end violently. Yet the + cold, white face was convulsed, as if he had died in throes of agony, the + hands were clenched, till the nails sank into the flesh; and that was the + only outward sign or token that he had suffered in expiring. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman was completely at a loss, and half beside himself, with a + thousand conflicting feelings of sorrow, astonishment, and mystification. + The rapid and exciting events of the night had turned his head into a + mental chaos, as they very well might, but he still had commonsense enough + left to know that something must be done about this immediately. He knew + the best place to take Ormiston was to the nearest apothecary's shop, + which establishments were generally open, and filled, the whole livelong + night, by the sick and their friends. As he was meditating whether or not + to call the surly watchman to help him carry the body, a pest-cart came, + providentially, along, and the driver-seeing a young man bending over a + prostrate form-guessed at once what was the matter, and came to a halt. + </p> + <p> + “Another one!” he said, coming leisurely up, and glancing at the lifeless + form with a very professional eye. “Well, I think there is room for + another one in the cart; so bear a hand, friend, and let us have him out + of this.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken!” said Sir Norman sharply, “he has not died of the + plague. I am not even certain whether he is dead at all.” + </p> + <p> + The driver looked at Sir Norman, then stooped down and touched Ormiston's + icy face, and listened to hear him breathe. He stood up after a moment, + with some thing like a small laugh. + </p> + <p> + “If he's alive,” he said, turning to go, “then I never saw any one dead! + Good night, sir, I wish you joy when you bring him to.” + </p> + <p> + “Stay!” exclaimed the young man, “I wish you to assist me in bringing him + to yonder apothecary's shop, and you may have this for your pains.” + </p> + <p> + “This” proved to be a talisman of alacrity; for the man pocketed it, and + briskly laid hold of Ormiston by the feet, while Sir Norman wrapped his + cloak reverently about him and took him by the shoulders. In this style + his body was conveyed to the apothecary's shop which they found half full + of applicants for medicine, among whom their entrance with the corpse + produced no greater sensation than a momentary stare. The attire and + bearing of Sir Norman proving him to be something different from their + usual class of visitors, bringing one of the drowsy apprentices + immediately to his side, inquiring what were his orders. + </p> + <p> + “A private room, and your master's attendance directly,” was the + authoritative reply. + </p> + <p> + Both were to be had; the former, a hole in the wall behind the shop; the + latter, a pallid, cadaverous-looking person, with the air of one who had + been dead a week, thought better of it and rose again. There was a long + table in the aforesaid hole in the wall, bearing a strong family likeness + to a dissecting-table; upon which the stark figure was laid, and the + pest-cart driver disappeared. The apothecary held a mirror close to the + face; applied his ear to the pulse and heart; held a pocket-mirror over + his mouth, looked at it; shook his head; and set down the candle with + decision. + </p> + <p> + “The man is dead, sir!” was his criticism, “dead as a door nail! All the + medicine in the shop wouldn't kindle one spark of life in such ashes!” + </p> + <p> + “At least, try! Try something—bleeding for instance,” suggested Sir + Norman. + </p> + <p> + Again the apothecary examined the body, and again he shook his head + dolefully. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use, sir: but, if it will please, you can try.” + </p> + <p> + The right arm was bared; the lancet inserted, one or two black drops + sluggishly followed and nothing more. + </p> + <p> + “It's all a waste of time, you see,” remarked the apothecary, wiping his + dreadful little weapon, “he's as dead as ever I saw anybody in my life! + How did he come to his end, sir—not by the plague?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” said Sir Norman, gloomily. “I wish you would tell me + that.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't do it, sir; my skill doesn't extend that far. There is no + plague-spot or visible wound or bruise on the person; so he must have died + of some internal complaint—probably disease of the heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Never knew him to have such a thing,” said Sir Norman, sighing. “It is + very mysterious and very dreadful, and notwithstanding all you have said, + I cannot believe him dead. Can he not remain here until morning, at + least?” + </p> + <p> + The starved apothecary looked at him out of a pair of hollow, melancholy + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Gold can do anything,” was his plaintive reply. + </p> + <p> + “I understand. You shall have it. Are you sure you can do nothing more for + him?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing whatever, sir; and excuse me, but there are customers in the + shop, and I must leave, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Which he did, accordingly; and Sir Norman was left alone with all that + remained of him who, two hours before, was his warm friend. He could + scarcely believe that it was the calm majesty of death that so changed the + expression of that white face, and yet, the longer he looked, the more + deeply an inward conviction assured him that it was so. He chafed the + chilling hands and face, he applied hartshorn and burnt feathers to the + nostrils, but all these applications, though excellent in their way, could + not exactly raise the dead to life, and, in this case, proved a signal + failure. He gave up his doctoring, at last, in despair, and folding his + arms, looked down at what lay on the table, and tried to convince himself + that it was Ormiston. So absorbed was he in the endeavor, that he heeded + not the passing moments, until it struck him with a shock that Hubert + might even now be waiting for him at the trysting-place, with news of + Leoline. Love is stronger than friendship, stronger than grief, stronger + than death, stronger than every other feeling in the world; so he suddenly + seized his hat, turned his back on Ormiston and the apothecary's shop, and + strode off to the place he had quitted. + </p> + <p> + No Hubert was there, but two figures were passing slowly along in the + moonlight, and one of them he recognized, with an impulse to spring at him + like a tiger and strangle him. But he had been so shocked and subdued by + his recent discovery, that the impulse which, half an hour before, would + have been unhesitatingly obeyed, went for nothing, now; and there was more + of reproach, even, than anger in his voice, as he went over and laid his + hand on the shoulder of one of them. + </p> + <p> + “Stay!” he said. “One word with you, Count L'Estrange. What have you done + with Leoline!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Sir Norman, as I live!” cried the count wheeling round and lifting + his hat. “Give me good even—or rather, good morning—Kingsley, + for St. Paul's has long gone the midnight hour.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman, with his hand still on his shoulder, returned not the + courtesy, and regarding the gallant count with a stern eye. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Leoline?” he frigidly repeated. + </p> + <p> + “Really,” said the count, with some embarrassment, “you attack me so + unexpectedly, and so like a ghost or a highwayman—by the way I have + a word to say to you about highwaymen, and was seeking you to say it.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Leoline?” shouted the exasperated young knight, releasing his + shoulder, and clutching him by the throat. “Tell me or, by Heaven! I'll + pitch you neck and heels into the Thames!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the sword of the count's companion flashed in the moonlight, + and, in two seconds more, its blue blade would have ended the earthly + career of Sir Norman Kingsley, had not the count quickly sprang back, and + made a motion for his companion to hold. + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” he cried, commandingly, with his arm outstretched to each. “Keep + off! George, sheathe your sword and stand aside. Sir Norman Kingsley, one + word with you, and be it in peace.” + </p> + <p> + “There can be no peace between us,” replied that aggravated young + gentleman, fiercely “until you tell me what has become of Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “All in good time. We have a listener, and does it not strike you our + conference should be private!” + </p> + <p> + “Public or private, it matters not a jot, so that you tell me what you've + done with Leoline,” replied Sir Norman, with whom it was evident getting + beyond this question was a moral and physical impossibility. “And if you + do not give an account of yourself, I'll run you through as sure as your + name is Count L'Estrange!” + </p> + <p> + A strange sort of smile came over the face of the count at this direful + threat, as if he fancied in that case, he was safe enough; but Sir Norman, + luckily, did not see it, and heard only the suave reply: + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Sir Norman; I shall be delighted to do so. Let us stand over + there in the shadow of that arch; and, George, do you remain here within + call.” + </p> + <p> + The count blandly waved Sir Norman to follow, which Sir Norman did, with + much the mein of a sulky lion; and, a moment after, both were facing each + other within the archway. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” cried the young knight, impatiently; “I am waiting. Go on!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Kingsley,” responded the count, in his easy way, “I think you are + laboring under a little mistake. I have nothing to go on about; it is you + who are to begin the controversy.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you dare to play with me?” exclaimed Sir Norman, furiously. “I tell + you to take care how you speak! What have you done with Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “That is the fourth or fifth time that you've asked me that question,” + said the count, with provoking indifference. “What do you imagine I have + done with her?” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman's feelings, which had been rising ever since their meeting, got + up to such a height at this aggravating question, that he gave vent to an + oath, and laid his hand on his sword; but the count's hand lightly + interposed before it came out. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, Sir Norman. Be calm; talk rationally. What do you accuse me of + doing with Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you dare deny having carried her off?” + </p> + <p> + “Deny it? No; I am never afraid to father my own deeds.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Sir Norman grinding his teeth. “Then you acknowledge it?” + </p> + <p> + “I acknowledge it—yes. What next?” + </p> + <p> + The perfect composure of his tone fell like a cool, damp towel on the fire + of Sir Norman's wrath. It did not quite extinguish the flame, however—only + quenched it a little—and it still hissed hotly underneath. + </p> + <p> + “And you dare to stand before me and acknowledge such an act?” exclaimed + Sir Norman, perfectly astounded at the cool assurance of the man. + </p> + <p> + “Verily, yea,” said the count, laughing. “I seldom take the trouble to + deny my acts. What next?” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing next,” said Sir Norman, severely, “until we have come to + a proper understanding about this. Are you aware, sir, that that lady is + my promised bride?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not know that I am. On the contrary, I have an idea she is + mine.” + </p> + <p> + “She was, you mean. You know she was forced into consenting by yourself + and her nurse!” + </p> + <p> + “Still she consented; and a bond is a bond, and a promise a promise, all + the world over.” + </p> + <p> + “Not with a woman,” said Sir Norman, with stern dogmatism. “It is their + privilege to break their promise and change their mind sixty times an + hour, if they choose. Leoline has seen fit to do both, and has accepted me + in your stead; therefore I command you instantly to give her up!” + </p> + <p> + “Softly, my friend—softly. How was I to know all this?” + </p> + <p> + “You ought to have known it!” returned Sir Norman, in the same dogmatical + way; “or if you didn't, you do now; so say no more about it. Where is she, + I tell you?” repeated the young man, in a frenzy. + </p> + <p> + “Your patience one moment longer, until we see which of us has the best + right to the lady. I have a prior claim.” + </p> + <p> + “A forced one. Leoline does not care a snap far you—and she loves + me.” + </p> + <p> + “What extraordinary bad taste!” said the count, thoughtfully. “Did she + tell you that?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; she did tell me this, and a great deal more. Come—have done + talking, and tell me where she is, or I'll—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, you wouldn't!” said the count, teasingly. “Since matters stand in + this light I'll tell you what I'll do. I acknowledge that I carried off + Leoline, viewing her as my promised bride, and have sent her to my own + home in the care of a trusty messenger, where I give you my word of honor, + I have not been since. She is as safe there, and much safer than in her + own house, until morning, and it would be a pity to disturb her at this + unseasonable hour. When the morning comes, we will both go to her together—state + our rival claims—and whichever one she decides on accepting, can + have her, and end the matter at once.” + </p> + <p> + The count paused and meditated. This proposal was all very plausible and + nice on the surface, but Sir Norman with his usual penetration and + acuteness, looked farther than the surface, and found a flaw. + </p> + <p> + “And how am I to know,” he asked, doubtingly, “that you will not go to her + to-night and spirit her off where I will never hear of either of you + again?” + </p> + <p> + “In the very best way in the world: we will not part company until morning + comes, are we at peace?” inquired the count, smiling and holding out but + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Until then, we will have to be, I suppose,” replied Sir Norman, rather + ungraciously taking the hand as if it were red-hot, and dropping it again. + “And we are to stand here and rail at each other, in the meantime?” + </p> + <p> + “By no means! Even the most sublime prospect tires when surveyed too long. + There is a little excursion which I would like you to accompany me on, if + you have no objection.” + </p> + <p> + “Where to?” + </p> + <p> + “To the ruin, where you have already been twice to-night.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman stared. + </p> + <p> + “And who told you this fact, Sir Count?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind; I have heard it. Would you object to a third excursion there + before morning?” + </p> + <p> + Again Sir Norman paused and meditated. There was no use in staying where + he was, that would bring him no nearer to Leoline, and nothing was to be + gained by killing the count beyond the mere transitory pleasure of the + thing. On the other hand, he had an intense and ardent desire to re-visit + the ruin, and learn what had become of Miranda—the only draw-back + being that, if they were found they would both be most assuredly beheaded. + Then, again, there was Hubert. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” inquired the count, as Sir Norman looked up. + </p> + <p> + “I have no objection to go with you to the ruin,” was the reply, “only + this; if we are seen there, we will be dead men two minutes after; and I + have no desire to depart this life until I have had that promised + interview with Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “I have thought of that,” said the count, “and have provided for it. We + may venture in the lion's den without the slightest danger: all that is + required being your promise to guide us thither. Do you give it?” + </p> + <p> + “I do; but I expect a friend here shortly, and cannot start until he + comes.” + </p> + <p> + “If you mean me by that, I am here,” said a voice at his elbow; and, + looking round, he saw Hubert himself, standing there, a quiet listener and + spectator of the scene. + </p> + <p> + Count L'Estrange looked at him with interest, and Hubert, affecting not to + notice the survey, watched Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” was that individual's eager address, “were you successful?” + </p> + <p> + The count was still watching the boy so intently, that that most discreet + youth was suddenly seized with a violent fit of coughing, which precluded + all possibility of reply for at least five minutes; and Sir Norman, at the + same moment, felt his arm receive a sharp and warning pinch. + </p> + <p> + “Is this your friend?” asked the count. “He is a very small one, and seems + in a bad state of health.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman, still under the influence of the pinch, replied by an + inaudible murmur, and looked with a deeply mystified expression, at + Hubert. + </p> + <p> + “He bears a strong resemblance to the lady we were talking of a moment + ago,” continued the count—“is sufficiently like her, in fact, to be + her brother; and, I see wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester.” + </p> + <p> + “God spare you your eye-sight!” said Sir Norman, impatiently. “Can you not + see, among the rest, that I have a few words to say to him in private? + Permit us to leave you for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no need to do so. I will leave you, as I have a few words to say + to the person who is with me.” + </p> + <p> + So saying the count walked away, and Hubert followed him with a most + curious look. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” cried Sir Norman, eagerly, “what news?” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” said the boy. “Leoline is safe!” + </p> + <p> + “And where?” + </p> + <p> + “Not far from here. Didn't he tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “The count? No—yes; he said she was at his house.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly. That is where she is,” said Hubert, looking much relieved. “And, + at present, perfectly safe.” + </p> + <p> + “And did you see her?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course; and heard her too. She was dreadfully anxious to come with me; + but that was out of the question.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is she to be got away?” + </p> + <p> + “That I do not clearly see. We will have to bring a ladder, and there will + be so much danger, and so little chance of success, that, to me it seems + an almost hopeless task. Where did you meet Count L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + “Here; and he told me that he had abducted her, and held her a prisoner in + his own house.” + </p> + <p> + “He owned that did he? I wonder you were not fit to kill him?” + </p> + <p> + “So I was, at first, but he talked the matter over somehow.” + </p> + <p> + And hereupon Sir Norman briefly and quickly rehearsed the substance of + their conversation. Hubert listened to it attentively, and laughed as he + concluded. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I do not see that you can do otherwise, Sir Norman, and I think it + would be wise to obey the count for to-night, at least. Then to-morrow—if + things do not go on well, we can take the law in our own hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Can we?” said Sir Norman, doubtfully, “I do wish you would tell me who + this infernal count is, Hubert, for I am certain you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Not until to-morrow—you shall know him then.” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow! to-morrow!” exclaimed Sir Norman, disconsolately. “Everything + is postponed until to-morrow! Oh, here comes the count back again. Are we + going to start now, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Is your friend to accompany us on our expedition?” inquired the count, + standing before them. “It shall be quite as you say, Mr. Kingsley.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend can do as he pleases. What do you say, Hubert?” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to go, of all things, if neither of you have any + objections.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on, then,” said the count, “we will find horses in readiness a short + distance from this.” + </p> + <p> + The three started together, and walked on in silence through several + streets, until they reached a retired inn, where the count's recent + companion stood, with the horses. Count L'Estrange whispered a few words + to him, upon which he bowed and retired; and in an instant they were all + in the saddle, and galloping away. + </p> + <p> + The journey was rather a silent one, and what conversation there was, was + principally sustained by the count. Hubert's usual flow of pertinent chat + seemed to have forsaken him, and Sir Norman had so many other things to + think of—Leoline, Ormiston, Miranda, and the mysterious count + himself—that he felt in no mood for talking. Soon, they left the + city behind them; the succeeding two miles were quickly passed over, and + the “Golden Crown,” all dark and forsaken, now hove in sight. As they + reached this, and cantered up the road leading to the ruin, Sir Norman + drew rein, and said: + </p> + <p> + “I think our best plan would be, to dismount, and lead our horses the rest + of the way, and not incur any unnecessary danger by making a noise. We can + fasten them to these trees, where they will be at hand when we come out.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait one moment,” said the count, lifting his finger with a listening + look. “Listen to that!” + </p> + <p> + It was a regular tramp of horses' hoofs, sounding in the silence like a + charge of cavalry. While they looked, a troop of horsemen came galloping + up, and came to a halt when they saw the count. + </p> + <p> + No words can depict the look of amazement Sir Norman's face wore; but + Hubert betrayed not the least surprise. The count glanced at his + companions with a significant smile, and riding back, held a brief + colloquy with him who seemed the leader of the horsemen. He rode up to + them, smiling still, and saying, as he passed, + </p> + <p> + “Now then, Kingsley; lead on, and we will follow!” + </p> + <p> + “I go not one step further,” said Sir Norman, firmly, “until I know who I + am leading. Who are you, Count L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + The count looked at him, but did not answer. A warning hand—that of + Hubert—grasped Sir Norman's arm; and Hubert's voice whispered + hurriedly in his ear: + </p> + <p> + “Hush, for God's sake! It is the king!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. AT THE PLAGUE-PIT. + </h2> + <p> + The effect of the whisper was magical. Everything that had been dark + before, became clear as noonday; and Sir Norman sat absolutely astounded + at his own stupidity in not having found it out for himself before. Every + feature, notwithstanding the disguise of wig and beard, became perfectly + familiar; and even through the well-assumed voice, he recognized the royal + tones. It struck him all at once, and with it the fact of Leoline's + increased danger. Count L'Estrange was a formidable rival, but King + Charles of England was even more formidable. + </p> + <p> + Thought is quick—quicker than the electric telegraph or balloon + traveling; and in two seconds the whole stated things, with all the + attendant surprises and dangers, danced before his mind's eye like a + panorama; and he comprehended the past, the present, and the future, + before Hubert had uttered the last word of his whisper. He turned his + eyes, with a very new and singular sensation, upon the quondam count, and + found that gentlemen looking very hard at him, with, a preternaturally + grave expression of countenance. Sir Norman knew well as anybody the + varying moods of his royal countship, and, notwithstanding his general + good nature, it was not safe to trifle with him at all times; so he + repressed every outward sign of emotion whatever, and resolved to treat + him as Count L'Estrange until he should choose to sail under his own + proper colors. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the count, with unruffled eagerness, “and so you decline to + go any further Sir Norman?” + </p> + <p> + Hubert's eye was fixed with a warning glance upon him, and Sir Norman + composedly answered + </p> + <p> + “No, count; I do not absolutely decline; but before I do go any further, I + should like to know by what right do you bring all these men here, and + what are your intentions in so doing.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I refuse to answer?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I refuse to move a step further in the business!” said Sir Norman, + with decision. + </p> + <p> + “And why, my good friend? You surely can have no objection to anything + that can be done against highwaymen and cut-throats.” + </p> + <p> + “Right! I have no objections, but others may.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you mean by others?” + </p> + <p> + “The king, for instance. His gracious majesty is whimsical at times; and + who knows that he may take it into his royal head to involve us somehow + with them. I know the adage, 'put not your trust in princes.'” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” said the count, with a slight and irrepressible smile; “your + prudence is beyond all praise! But I think, in this matter I may safely + promise to stand between you and the king's wrath. Look at those horsemen + beyond you, and see if they do not wear the uniform of his majesty's own + body-guard.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman looked, and saw the dazzling of their splendid equipments + glancing and glistening in the moonbeams. + </p> + <p> + “I see. Then you have the royal permission for all this?” + </p> + <p> + “You have said it. Now, most scrupulous of men, proceed!” + </p> + <p> + “Look there!” exclaimed Hubert, suddenly pointing to a corner of the rain. + “Someone has seen us, and is going now to give the alarm.” + </p> + <p> + “He shall miss it, though!” said Sir Norman, detecting, at the same + instant, a dark figure getting through the broken doorway; and striking + spurs into his horse, he was instantaneously beside it, out of the saddle, + and had grasped the retreater by the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “By your leave!” exclaimed Sir Norman. “Not quite so fast! Stand out here + in the moonlight, until I see who you are.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me go!” cried the man, grappling with his opponent. “I know who you + are, and I swear you'll never see moonlight or sunlight again, if you do + not instantly let me go.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman recognized the voice with a perfect shout of delight. + </p> + <p> + “The duke, by all that's lucky! O, I'll let you go: but not until the + hangman gets hold of you. Villain and robber, you shall pay for your + misdeeds now!” + </p> + <p> + “Hold!” shouted the commanding voice of Count L'Estrange. “Cease, Sir + Norman Kingsley! there is no time, and this is no person for you to scoff + with. He is our prisoner, and shall show us the nearest way into this den + of thieves. Give me your sword, fellow, and be thankful I do not make you + shorter by a head with it.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not know him!” cried Sir Norman; in vivid excitement. “I tell you + this is the identical scoundrel who attempted to rob and murder you a few + hours ago.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the better! He shall pay for that and all his other shortcomings, + before long! But, in the meantime, I order him to bring us before the rest + of this outlawed crew.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall do nothing of the kind,” said the duke, sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “Just as you please. Here, my men, two of you take hold of this scoundrel, + and dispatch him at once.” + </p> + <p> + The guard had all dismounted; and two of them came forward with edifying + obedience, to do as they were told. + </p> + <p> + The effect upon the duke was miraculous. Instantly he started up, with an + energy perfectly amazing: + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no! I'll do it! Come this way, gentlemen, and I'll bring you + direct into their midst. O good Lord! whatever will become of us?” + </p> + <p> + This last frantic question was addressed to society in general, but Sir + Norman felt called upon to answer: + </p> + <p> + “That's very easily told, my man. If you and the rest of your titled + associates receive your deserts (as there is no doubt you will) from the + gracious hand of our sovereign lord, the king, the strongest rope and + highest gallows at Tyburn will be your elevated destiny.” + </p> + <p> + The duke groaned dismally, and would have come to a halt to beg mercy on + the spot, had not Hubert given him a probe in, the ribs with the point of + his dagger, that sent him on again, with a distracted howl. + </p> + <p> + “Why, this is a perfect Hades!” said the count, as he stumbled after, in + the darkness. “Are you sure we are going right, Kingsley?” + </p> + <p> + The inquiry was not unnatural, for the blackness was perfectly Tartarian, + and the soldiers behind were knocking their tall shins against all sorts + of obstacles as they groped blindly along, invoking from them countless + curses, not loud, but deep. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know whether we are or not,” said Sir Norman significantly; + “only, God help him if we're not! Where are you taking us to, you + black-looking bandit?” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word of honor, gentlemen,” said an imploring voice in the + darkness, “that I'm leading you, by the nearest way, to the Midnight + Court. All I ask of you in return is, that you will let me enter before + you; for if they find that I lead you in, my life will not be worth a + moment's purchase.” + </p> + <p> + “As if it ever was worth it,” said Sir Norman, contemptuously. “On with + you, and be thankful I don't save your companions the trouble, by making + an end of you where you stand.” + </p> + <p> + “Rush along, old fellow,” suggested Hubert, giving him another poke with + his dagger, that drew forth a second doleful howl. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the darkness, Sir Norman discovered that they were being + led in a direction exactly opposite that by which he had previously + effected an entrance. They were in the vault, he knew, by the darkness, + though they had descended no staircase, and he was just wondering if + their guide was not meditating some treachery by such a circuitous route, + when suddenly a tumult of voices, and uproar, and confusion, met his ear. + At the same instant, their guide opened a door, revealing a dark passage, + illuminated by a few rays of light, and which Sir Norman instantly + recognized as that leading to the Black Chamber. Here again the duke + paused, and turned round to them with a wildly-imploring face. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, I do conjure you to let me enter before you do! I tell you + they will murder me the very instant they discover I have led you here!” + </p> + <p> + “That would be a great pity!” said the count; “and the gallows will be + cheated of one of its brightest ornaments! That is your den of thieves, I + suppose, from which all this uproar comes?” + </p> + <p> + “It is. And as I have guided you safely to it, surely I deserve this + trifling boon.” + </p> + <p> + “Trifling, do you call it,” interposed Sir Norman, “to let you make your + escape, as you most assuredly will do the moment you are out of our sight! + No, no; we are too old birds to be caught with such chaff; and though the + informer always gets off scot-free, your services deserve no such boon; + for we could have found our way without your help! On with you, Sir + Robber; and if your companions do kill you, console yourself with the + thought that they have only anticipated the executioner by a few days!” + </p> + <p> + With a perfectly heart-rending groan, the unfortunate duke walked on; but + when they reached the archway directly before the room, he came to an + obstinate halt, and positively refused to go a step farther. It was death, + anyway, and he resisted with the courage of desperation, feeling he might + as well die there as go in and be assassinated by his confederates, and + not even the persuasive influence of Hubert's dagger could prevail on him + to budge an inch farther. + </p> + <p> + “Stay, then!” said the count, with perfect indifference. “And, soldiers, + see that he does not escape! Now, Kingsley, let us just have a glimpse of + what is going on within.” + </p> + <p> + Though the party had made considerable noise in advancing, and had spoken + quite loudly in their little animated discussion with the duke, so great + was the turmoil and confusion within, that it was not heeded, or even + heard. With very different feelings from those with which he had stood + there last, Sir Norman stepped forward and stood beside the count, looking + at the scene within. + </p> + <p> + The crimson court was in a state of “most admired disorder,” and the + confusion of tongues was equal to Babel. No longer were they languidly + promenading, or lolling in the cushioned chairs; but all seemed running to + and fro in the wildest excitement, which the grandest duke among them + seemed to share equally with the terrified white sylphs. Everybody + appeared to be talking together, and paying no attention whatever to the + sentiments of their neighbors. One universal centre of union alone seemed + to exist, and that was the green, judicial table near the throne, upon + which, while all tongues ran, all eyes turned. For some minutes, neither + of the beholders could make out why, owing to the crowd (principally of + the ladies) pressing around it; but Sir Norman guessed, and thrilled + through with a vague sensation of terror, lest it should prove to be the + dead body of Miranda. Skipping in and out among the females he saw the + dwarf, performing a sort of war dance of rage and frenzy; twining both + hands in his wig, as if he would have torn it out by the roots, and anon + tearing at somebody else's wig, so that everybody backed off when he came + near them. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that little fiend?” inquired the count; “and what have they got + there at the and of the room, pray?” + </p> + <p> + “That little fiend is the ringleader here, and is entitled Prince Caliban. + Regarding your other question,” said Sir Norman, with a faint thrill, + “there was a table there when I saw it last, but I am afraid there is + something worse now.” + </p> + <p> + “Could ever any mortal conceive of such a scene,” observed the count to + himself; “look at that little picture of ugliness; how he hops about like + a dropsical bull-frog. Some of those women are very pretty, too, and + outshine more than one court-beauty that I have seen. Upon my word, it is + the most extraordinary spectacle I ever heard of. I wonder what they've + got that's so attractive down there?” + </p> + <p> + At the same moment, a loud voice within the circle abruptly exclaimed + </p> + <p> + “She revives, she revives! Back, back, and give her air!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly, the throng swayed and fell back; and the dwarf, with a sort of + yell (whether of rage or relief, nobody knew), swept them from side to + side with a wave of his long arms, and cleared a wide vacancy for his own + especial benefit. The action gave the count an opportunity of gratifying + his curiosity. The object of attraction was now plainly visible. Sir + Norman's surmises had been correct. The green table of the + parliament-house of the midnight court had been converted, by the aid of + cushions and pillows, into an extempore couch; and half-buried in their + downy depths lay Miranda, the queen. The sweeping robe of royal purple, + trimmed with ermine, the circlets of jewels on arms, bosom, and head, she + still wore, and the beautiful face was whiter than fallen snow. Yet she + was not dead, as Sir Norman had dreaded; for the dark eyes were open, and + were fixed with an unutterable depth of melancholy on vacancy. Her arms + lay helplessly by her side, and someone, the court physician probably, was + bending over her and feeling her pulse. + </p> + <p> + As the count's eyes fell upon her, he started back, and grasped Sir + Norman's arm with consternation. + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens, Kingsley!” he cried; “it is Leoline, herself!” + </p> + <p> + In his excitement he had spoken so loud, that in the momentary silence + that followed the physician's direction, his voice had rung through the + room, and drew every eye upon them. + </p> + <p> + “We are seen, we are seen!” shouted Hubert, and as he spoke, a terrible + cry idled the room. In an instant every sword leaped from its scabbard, + and the shriek of the startled women rang appallingly out on the air. Sir + Norman drew his sword, too; but the count, with his eyes yet fixed on + Miranda, still held him by the arm, and excitedly exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, tell me, is it Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “Leoline! No—how could it be Leoline? They look alike, that's all. + Draw your sword, count, and defend yourself; we are discovered, and they + are upon us!” + </p> + <p> + “We are upon them, you mean, and it is they who are discovered,” said the + count, doing as directed, and stepping boldly in. “A pretty hornet's nest + is this we have lit upon, if ever there was one.” + </p> + <p> + Side by side with the count, with a dauntless step and eye, Sir Norman + entered, too; and, at sight of him a burst of surprise and fury rang from + lip to lip. There was a yell of “Betrayed, betrayed!” and the dwarf, with + a face so distorted by fiendish fury that it was scarcely human, made a + frenzied rush at him, when the clear, commanding voice of the count rang + like a bugle blast through the assembly, + </p> + <p> + “Sheathe your swords, the whole of you, and yield yourselves prisoners. In + the king's name, I command you to surrender.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no king here but I!” screamed the dwarf, gnashing his teeth, and + fairly foaming with rage. “Die; traitor and spy! You have escaped me once, + but your hour is come now.” + </p> + <p> + “Allow me to differ from you,” said Sir Norman, politely, as he evaded the + blindly-frantic lunge of the dwarf's sword, and inserted an inch or two of + the point of his own in that enraged little prince's anatomy. “So far from + my hour having come—if you will take the trouble to reflect upon it—you + will find it is the reverse, and that my little friend's brief and + brilliant career is rapidly drawing to a close.” + </p> + <p> + At these bland remarks, and at the sharp thrust that accompanied them, the + dwarfs previous war-dance of anxiety was nothing to the horn-pipe of + exasperation he went through when Sir Norman ceased. The blood was raining + from his side, and from the point of his adversary's sword, as he withdrew + it; and, maddened like a wild beast at the sight of his own blood, he + screeched, and foamed, and kicked about his stout little legs, and gnashed + his teeth, and made grabs at his wig, and lashed the air with his sword, + and made such desperate pokes with it, at Sir Norman and everybody else + who came in his way, that, for the public good, the young knight run him + through the sword-arm, and, in spite of all his distracted didos, captured + him by the help of Hubert, and passed him over to the soldiers to cheer + and keep company with the duke. + </p> + <p> + This brisk little affair being over, Sir Norman had time to look about + him. It had all passed in so short a space, and the dwarf had been so + desperately frantic, that the rest had paused involuntarily, and were + still looking on. Missing the count, he glanced around the room, and + discovered him standing on Miranda's throne, looking over the company with + the cool air of a conqueror. Miranda, aroused, as she very well might be + by all this screaming and fighting, had partly raised herself upon her + elbow, and was looking wildly about her. As her eye fell on Sir Norman, + she sat fairly erect, with a cry of exultation and joy. + </p> + <p> + “You have come, you have come, as I knew you would,” she excitedly cried, + “and the hour of retribution is at hand!” + </p> + <p> + At the words of one who, a few moments before, they had supposed to be + dead, an awestruck silence fell; and the count, taking advantage of it, + waved his hand, and cried, + </p> + <p> + “Yield yourselves prisoners, I command you! The royal guards are without; + and the first of you who offers the slightest resistance will die like a + dog! Ho, guards! enter, and seize your prisoners!” + </p> + <p> + Quick as thought the room was full of soldiers! but the rest of the order + was easier said than obeyed. The robbers, knowing their doom was death, + fought with the fury of desperation, and a short, wild, and terrible + conflict ensued. Foremost in the melee was Sir Norman and the count; while + Hubert, who had taken possession of the dwarf's sword, fought like a young + lion. The shrieks of the women were heart-rending, as they all fled, + precipitately, into the blue dining-room; and, crouching in corners, or + flying distractedly about—true to their sex—made the air + resound with the most lamentable cries. Some five or six, braver than the + rest, alone remained; and more than one of these actually mixed in the + affray, with a heroism worthy a better cause. Miranda, still sitting + erect, and supported in the arms of a kneeling and trembling sylph in + white, watched the conflict with terribly-exultant eyes, that blazed + brighter and brighter with the lurid fire of vengeful joy at every robber + that fell. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that I were strong enough to wield a sword!” was her fierce + aspiration every instant; “if I could only mix in that battle for five + minutes, I could die with a happy heart!” + </p> + <p> + Had she been able to wield a sword for five minutes, according to her + wish, she would probably have wielded it from beginning to end of the + battle; for it did not last much longer than that. The robbers fought with + fury and ferocity; but they had been taken by surprise, and were + overpowered by numbers, and obliged to yield. + </p> + <p> + The crimson court was indeed crimson now; for the velvet carpeting was + dyed a more terrible red, and was slippery with a rain of blood! A score + of dead and dying lay groaning on the ground; and the rest, beaten and + bloody, gave up their swords and surrendered. + </p> + <p> + “You should have done this at first!” said the count, coolly wiping his + blood-stained weapon, and replacing it in its sheath; “and, by so doing, + saved some time and more bloodshed. Where are all the fair ladies, + Kingsley, I saw here when we entered first?” + </p> + <p> + “They fled like a flock of frightened deer,” said Hubert, taking it upon + himself to answer, “through yonder archway when the fight commenced. I + will go in search of them if you like.” + </p> + <p> + “I am rather at a loss what to do with them,” said the count, + half-laughing. “It would be a pity to bring such a cavalcade of pretty + women into the city to die of the plague. Can you suggest nothing, Sir + Norman?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, but to leave then here to take care of themselves, or let them + go free.” + </p> + <p> + “They would be a great addition to the court at Whitehall,” suggested + Hubert, in his prettiest tone, “and a thousand times handsomer than half + the damsels therein. There, for instance, is one a dozen timer more + beautiful than Mistress Stuart herself!” + </p> + <p> + Leaning, in his nonchalant way, on the hilt of his sword, he pointed to + Miranda, whose fiercely-joyful eyes were fixed with a glance that made the + three of them shudder, on the bloody floor and the heap of slain. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that?” asked the count, curiously. “Why is she perched up there, + and why does she bear such an extraordinary resemblance to Leoline? Do you + know anything about her, Kingsley?” + </p> + <p> + “I know she is the wife of that unlovely little man, whose howls in yonder + passage you can hear, if you listen, and that she was the queen of this + midnight court, and is wounded, if not dying, now!” + </p> + <p> + “I never saw such fierce eyes before in a female head! One would think she + fairly exulted in this wholesale slaughter of her subjects.” + </p> + <p> + “So she does; and she hates both her husband and her subjects, with an + intensity you cannot conceive.” + </p> + <p> + “How very like royalty!” observed Hubert, in parenthesis. “If she were a + real queen, she could not act more naturally.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman smiled, and the count glanced at the audacious page, + suspiciously; but Hubert's face was touching to witness, in its innocent + unconsciousness. Miranda, looking up at the same time, caught the young + knight's eye, and made a motion for him to approach. She held out both her + hands to him as he came near, with the same look of dreadful delight. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Norman Kingsley, I am dying, and my last words are in thanksgiving to + you for having thus avenged me!” + </p> + <p> + “Let me hope you have many days to live yet, fair lady,” said Sir Norman, + with the same feeling of repulsion he had experienced in the dungeon. “I + am sorry you have been obliged to witness this terrible scene.” + </p> + <p> + “Sorry!” she cried, fiercely. “Why, since the first hour I remember at + all, I remember nothing that has given me such joy as what has passed now; + my only regret is that I did not see them all die before my eyes! Sorry! I + tell you I would not have missed it for ten thousand worlds!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, you must not talk like this!” said Sir Norman, almost sternly. + “Heaven forbid there should exist a woman who could rejoice in bloodshed + and death. You do not, I know. You wrong yourself and your own nature in + saying so. Be calm, now; do not excite yourself. You shall come with us, + and be properly cared for; and I feel certain you have a long and happy + life before you yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are those men?” she said, not heeding him, “and who—ah, great + Heaven! What is that?” + </p> + <p> + In looking round, she had met Hubert face to face. She knew that that face + was her own; and, with a horror stamped on every feature that no words can + depict, she fell back, with a terrible scream and was dead! + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman was so shocked by the suddenness of the last catastrophe, that, + for some time, he could not realize that she had actually expired, until + he bent over her, and placed his ear to her lips. No breath was there; no + pulse stirred in that fierce heart—the Midnight Queen was indeed + dead! + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is fearful!” exclaimed Sir Norman, pale and horrified. + </p> + <p> + “The sight of Hubert, and his wonderful resemblance to her, has completed + what her wound and this excitement began. Her last is breathed on earth!” + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with her!” said the count, removing his hat, which, up to the + present, he had worn. “And now, Sir Norman, if we are to keep our + engagement at sunrise, we had better be on the move; for, unless I am + greatly mistaken, the sky is already grey with day-dawn.” + </p> + <p> + “What are your commands?” asked Sir Norman, turning away, with a sigh, + from the beautiful form already stiffening in death. + </p> + <p> + “That you come with me to seek out those frightened fair ones, who are a + great deal too lovely to share the fate of their male companions. I shall + give them their liberty to go where they please, on condition that they do + not enter the city. We have enough vile of their class there already.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman silently followed him into the azure and silver saloon, where + the crowd of duchesses and countesses were “weeping and wringing their + hands,” and as white as so many pretty ghosts. In a somewhat brief and + forcible manner, considering his characteristic gallantry, the count made + his proposal, which, with feelings of pleasure and relief, was at once + acceded to; and the two gentlemen bowed themselves out, and left the + startled ladies. + </p> + <p> + On returning to the crimson court, he commanded a number of his soldiers + to remain and bury the dead, and assist the wounded; and then, followed by + the remainder and the prisoners under their charge, passed out, and were + soon from the heated atmosphere in the cool morning air. The moon was + still serenely shining, but the stars that kept the earliest hours were + setting, and the eastern sky was growing light with the hazy gray of + coming morn. + </p> + <p> + “I told you day-dawn was at hand,” said the count, as he sprang into his + saddle; “and, lo! in the sky it is gray already.” + </p> + <p> + “It is time for it!” said Sir Norman, as he, too, got into his seat; “this + has been the longest night I have ever known, and the most eventful one of + my life.” + </p> + <p> + “And the end is not yet! Leoline waits to decide between us!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “True! But I have little doubt what that decision will be! I presume you + will have to deliver up your prisoners before you can visit her, and I + will avail myself of the opportunity to snatch a few moments to fulfill a + melancholy duty of my own.” + </p> + <p> + “As you please. I have no objection; but in that case you will need some + one to guide you to the place of rendezvous; so I will order my private + attendant, yonder, to keep you in sight, and guide you to me when your + business is ended.” + </p> + <p> + The count had given the order to start, the moment they had left the ruin, + and the conversation had been carried on while riding at a break-neck + gallop. Sir Norman thanked him for his offer, and they rode in silence + until they reached the city, and their paths diverged; Sir Norman's + leading to the apothecary's shop where he had left Ormiston, and the + count's leading—he best knew where. George—the attendant + referred to—joined the knight, and leaving his horse in his care, + Sir Norman entered the shop, and encountered the spectral proprietor at + the door. + </p> + <p> + “What of my friend?” was his eager inquiry. “Has he yet shown signs of + returning consciousness?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, no!” replied the apothecary, with a groan, that came wailing up + like a whistle; “he was so excessively dead, that there was no use keeping + him; and as the room was wanted for other purposes, I—pray, my dear + sir, don't look so violent—I put him in the pest-cart and had him + buried.” + </p> + <p> + “In the plague-pit!” shouted Sir Norman, making a spring at him; but the + man darted off like a ghostly flash into the inner room, and closed and + bolted the door in a twinkling. + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman kicked at it spitefully, but it resisted his every effort; and, + overcoming a strong temptation to smash every bottle in the shop, he + sprang once more into the saddle, and rode off to the plague-pit. It was + the second time within the last twelve hours he had stood there; and, on + the previous occasion, he who now lay in it, had stood by his side. He + looked down, sickened and horror-struck. Perhaps, before another morning, + he, too, might be there; and, feeling his blood run cold at the thought, + he was turning away, when some one came rapidly up, and sank down with a + moaning gasping cry on its very edge. That shape—tall and slender, + and graceful—he well knew; and, leaning over her, he laid his hand + on her shoulder, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “La Masque!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER, XXI. WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK. + </h2> + <p> + The cowering form rose up; but, seeing who it was, sank down again, with + its face groveling in the dust, and with another prolonged, moaning cry. + </p> + <p> + “Madame Masque!” he said, wonderingly; “what is this?” + </p> + <p> + He bent to raise her; but, with a sort of scream she held out her arms to + keep him back. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no! Touch me not! Hate me—kill me! I have murdered your + friend!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman recoiled as if from a deadly serpent. + </p> + <p> + “Murdered him! Madame, in Heaven's name, what have you said?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have not stabbed him, or poisoned him, or shot him; but I am his + murderer, nevertheless!” she wailed, writhing in a sort of gnawing inward + torture. + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I do not understand you at all! Surely you are raving when you + talk like this.” + </p> + <p> + Still moaning on the edge of the plague-pit, she half rose up, with both + hands clasped tightly over her heart, as if she would have held back from + all human ken the anguish that was destroying her, + </p> + <p> + “NO—no! I am not mad—pray Heaven I were! Oh, that they had + strangled me in the first hour of my birth, as they would a viper, rather + than I should have lived through all this life of misery and guilt, to end + it by this last, worst crime of all!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman stood and looked at her still with a dazed expression. He knew + well enough whose murderer she called herself; but why she did so, or how + she could possibly bring about his death, was a mystery altogether too + deep for him to solve. + </p> + <p> + “Madame, compose yourself, I beseech you, and tell me what you mean. It is + to my friend, Ormiston, you allude—is it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—yes! surely you need not ask.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that he is dead, and buried in this horrible place; but why you + should accuse yourself of murdering him, I confess I do not know.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall!” she cried, passionately. “And you will wonder at it no + longer! You are the last one to whom the revelation can ever be made on + earth; and, now that my hours are numbered, it matters little whether it + is told or not! Was it not you who first found him dead?” + </p> + <p> + “It was I—yes. And how he came to his end, I have been puzzling + myself in vain to discover ever since.” + </p> + <p> + She rose up, drew herself to her full majestic height, and looked at him + with a terrible glance, + </p> + <p> + “Shall I tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “You have had no hand in it,” he answered, with a cold chill at the tone + and look, “for he loved you!” + </p> + <p> + “I have had a hand in it—I alone have been the cause of it. But for + me he would be living still!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” exclaimed Sir Norman, in horror. + </p> + <p> + “You need not look as if you thought me mad, for I tell you it is Heaven's + truth! You say right—he loved me; but for that love he would be + living now!” + </p> + <p> + “You speak in riddles which I cannot read. How could that love have caused + his death, since his dearest wishes were to be granted to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “He told you that, did he?” + </p> + <p> + “He did. He told me you were to remove your mask; and if, on seeing you, + he still loved you, you were to be his wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Then woe to him for ever having extorted such a promise from me! Oh, I + warned him again, and again, and again. I told him how it would be—I + begged him to desist; but no, he was blind, he was mad; he would rush on + his own doom! I fulfilled my promise, and behold the result!” + </p> + <p> + She pointed with a frantic gesture to the plague-pit, and wrung her + beautiful hands with the same moaning of anguish. + </p> + <p> + “Do I hear aright?” said Sir Norman, looking at her, and really doubting + if his ears had not deceived him. “Do you mean to say that, in keeping + your word and showing him your face, you have caused his death?” + </p> + <p> + “I do. I had warned him of it before. I told him there were sights too + horrible to look on and live, but nothing would convince him! Oh, why was + the curse of life ever bestowed upon such a hideous thing as I!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman gazed at her in a state of hopeless bewilderment. He had + thought, from the moment he saw her first, that there was something wrong + with her brain, to make her act in such a mysterious, eccentric sort of + way; but he had never positively thought her so far gone as this. In his + own mind, he set her down, now, as being mad as a March hare, and + accordingly answered in that soothing tone people use to imbeciles, + </p> + <p> + “My dear Madame Masque, pray do not excite yourself, or say such dreadful + things. I am sure you would not willfully cause the death of any one, much + less that of one who loved you as he did.” + </p> + <p> + La Masque broke into a wild laugh, almost worse to hear than her former + despairing moans. + </p> + <p> + “The man thinks me mad! He will not believe, unless he sees and knows for + himself! Perhaps you, too, Sir Norman Kingsley,” she cried, changing into + sudden fierceness, “would like to see the face behind this mask?—would + like to see what has slain your friend, and share his fate?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Sir Norman. “I should like to see it; and I think I may + safely promise not to die from the effects. But surely, madame, you + deceive yourself; no face, however ugly—even supposing you to + possess such a one—could produce such dismay as to cause death.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall see.” + </p> + <p> + She was looking down into the plague-pit, standing so close to its + cracking edge, that Sir Norman's blood ran cold, in the momentary + expectation to see her slip and fall headlong in. Her voice was less + fierce and less wild, but her hands were still clasped tightly over her + heart, as if to ease the unutterable pain there. Suddenly, she looked up, + and said, in an altered tone: + </p> + <p> + “You have lost Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “And found her again. She is in the power of one Count L'Estrange.” + </p> + <p> + “And if in his power, pray, how have you found her?” + </p> + <p> + “Because we are both to meet in her presence within this very hour, and + she is to decide between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Has Count L'Estrange promised you this?” + </p> + <p> + “He has.” + </p> + <p> + “And you have no doubt what her decision will be?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the slightest.” + </p> + <p> + “How came you to know she was carried off by this count?” + </p> + <p> + “He confessed it himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Voluntarily?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I taxed him with it, and he owned to the deed; but he voluntarily + promised to take me to her and abide by her decision.” + </p> + <p> + “Extraordinary!” said La Masque, as if to herself. “Whimsical as he is, I + scarcely expected he would give her up so easily as this.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you know him, madame?” said Sir Norman, pointedly. + </p> + <p> + “There are few things I do not know, and rare are the disguises I cannot + penetrate. So you have discovered it, too?” + </p> + <p> + “No, madame, my eyes were not sharp enough, nor had I sufficient + cleverness, even, for that. It was Hubert, the Earl of Rochester's page, + who told me who he was.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the page!” said La Masque, quickly. “You have then been speaking to + him? What do you think of his resemblance to Leoline?” + </p> + <p> + “I think it is the most astonishing resemblance I ever saw. But he is not + the only one who bears Leoline's face.” + </p> + <p> + “And the other is?” + </p> + <p> + “The other is she whom you sent me to see in the old ruins. Madame, I wish + you would tell me the secret of this wonderful likeness; for I am certain + you know, and I am equally certain it is not accidental.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right. Leoline knows already; for, with the presentiment that my + end was near, I visited her when you left, and gave her her whole history, + in writing. The explanation is simple enough. Leoline, Miranda, and + Hubert, are sisters and brother.” + </p> + <p> + Some misty idea that such was the case had been struggling through Sir + Norman's slow mind, unformed and without shape, ever since he had seen the + trio, therefore he was not the least astonished when he heard the fact + announced. Only in one thing he was a little disappointed. + </p> + <p> + “Then Hubert is really a boy?” he said, half dejectedly. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly he is. What did you take him to be?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I thought—that is, I do not know,” said Sir Norman, quite + blushing at being guilty of so much romance, “but that he was a woman in + disguise. You see he is so handsome, and looks so much like Leoline, that + I could not help thinking so.” + </p> + <p> + “He is Leoline's twin brother—that accounts for it. When does she + become your wife?” + </p> + <p> + “This very morning, God willing!” said Sir Norman, fervently. + </p> + <p> + “Amen! And may her life and yours be long and happy. What becomes of the + rest?” + </p> + <p> + “Since Hubert is her brother, he shall come with us, if he will. As for + the other, she, alas! is dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Dead!” cried La Masque. “How? When? She was living, tonight!” + </p> + <p> + “True! She died of a wound.” + </p> + <p> + “A wound? Surely not given by the dwarfs hand?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; it was quite accidental. But since you know so much of the dwarf, + perhaps you also know he is now the king's prisoner?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not know it; but I surmised as much when I discovered that you and + Count L'Estrange, followed by such a body of men, visited the ruin. Well, + his career has been long and dark enough, and even the plague seemed to + spare him for the executioner. And so the poor mock-queen is dead? Well, + her sister will not long survive her.” + </p> + <p> + “Good Heavens, madame!” cried Sir Norman, aghast. “You do not mean to say + that Leoline is going to die?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! I hope Leoline has a long and happy life before her. But the + wretched, guilty sister I mean is, myself; for I, too, Sir Norman, am her + sister.” + </p> + <p> + At this new disclosure, Sir Norman stood perfectly petrified; and La + Masque, looking down at the dreadful place at her feet, went rapidly on: + </p> + <p> + “Alas and alas! that it should be so; but it is the direful truth. We bear + the same name, we had the same father; and yet I have been the curse and + bane of their lives.” + </p> + <p> + “And Leoline knows this?” + </p> + <p> + “She never knew it until this night, or any one else alive; and no one + should know it now, were not my ghastly life ending. I prayed her to + forgive me for the wrong I have done her; and she may, for she is gentle + and good—but when, when shall I be able to forgive myself?” + </p> + <p> + The sharp pain in her voice jarred on Sir Norman's ear and heart; and, to + get rid of its dreary echo, he hurriedly asked: + </p> + <p> + “You say you bear the same name. May I ask what name that is?” + </p> + <p> + “It is one, Sir Norman Kingsley, before which your own ancient title + pales. We are Montmorencis, and in our veins runs the proudest blood in + France.” + </p> + <p> + “Then Leoline is French and of noble birth?” said Sir Norman, with a + thrill of pleasure. “I loved her for herself alone, and would have wedded + her had she been the child of a beggar; but I rejoice to hear this + nevertheless. Her father, then, bore a title?” + </p> + <p> + “Her father was the Marquis de Montmorenci, but Leoline's mother and mine + were not the same—had they been, the lives of all four might have + been very different; but it is too late to lament that now. My mother had + no gentle blood in her veins, as Leoline's had, for she was but a + fisherman's daughter, torn from her home, and married by force. Neither + did she love my father notwithstanding his youth, rank, and passionate + love for her, for she was betrothed to another bourgeois, like herself. + For his sake she refused even the title of marchioness, offered her in the + moment of youthful and ardent passion, and clung, with deathless truth, to + her fisher-lover. The blood of the Montmorencis is fierce and hot, and + brooks no opposition” (Sir Norman thought of Miranda, and inwardly owned + that that was a fact); “and the marquis, in his jealous wrath, both hated + and loved her at the same time, and vowed deadly vengeance against her + bourgeois lover. That vow he kept. The young fisherman was found one + morning at his lady-love's door without a head, and the bleeding trunk + told no tales. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, for a while, she was distracted and so on; but when the first + shock of her grief was over, my father carried her off, and forcibly made + her his wife. Fierce hatred, I told you, was mingled with his fierce love, + and before the honeymoon was over it began to break out. One night, in a + fit of jealous passion, to which he was addicted, he led her into a room + she had never before been permitted to enter; showed her a grinning human + skull, and told her it was her lover's! In his cruel exultation, he + confessed all; how he had caused him to be murdered; his head severed from + the body; and brought here to punish her, some day, for her obstinate + refusal to love him. + </p> + <p> + “Up to this time she had been quiet and passive, bearing her fate with a + sort of dumb resignation; but now a spirit of vengeance, fiercer and more + terrible than his own, began to kindle within her; and, kneeling down + before the ghastly thing, she breathed a wish—a prayer—to the + avenging Jehovah, so unutterably horrible, that even her husband had to + fly with curdling blood from the room. That dreadful prayer was heard—that + wish fulfilled in me; but long before I looked on the light of day that + frantic woman had repented of the awful deed she had done. Repentance came + too late the sin of the father was visited on the child, and on the + mother, too, for the moment her eyes fell upon me, she became a raving + maniac, and died before the first day of my life had ended. + </p> + <p> + “Nurse and physician fled at the sight of me; but my father, though + thrilling with horror, bore the shock, and bowed to the retributive + justice of the angry Deity she had invoked. His whole life, his whole + nature, changed from that hour; and, kneeling beside my dead mother, as he + afterward told me, he vowed before high Heaven to cherish and love me, + even as though I had not been the ghastly creature I was. The physician he + bound by a terrible oath to silence; the nurse he forced back, and, in + spite of her disgust and abhorrence, compelled her to nurse and care for + me. The dead was buried out of sight; and we had rooms in a distant part + of the house, which no one ever entered but my father and the nurse. + Though set apart from my birth as something accursed, I had the intellect + and capacity of—yes, far greater intellect and capacity than, most + children; and, as years passed by, my father, true to his vow, became + himself my tutor and companion. He did not love me—that was an utter + impossibility; but time so blunts the edge of all things, that even the + nurse became reconciled to me, and my father could scarcely do less than a + stranger. So I was cared for, and instructed, and educated; and, knowing + not what a monstrosity I was, I loved them both ardently, and lived on + happily enough, in my splendid prison, for my first ten years in this + world. + </p> + <p> + “Then came a change. My nurse died; and it became clear that I must quit + my solitary life, and see the sort of world I lived in. So my father, + seeing all this, sat down in the twilight one night beside me, and told me + the story of my own hideousness. I was but a child then, and it is many + and many years ago; but this gray summer morning, I feel what I felt then, + as vividly as I did at the time. I had not learned the great lesson of + life then—endurance, I have scarcely learned it yet, or I should + bear life's burden longer; but that first night's despair has darkened my + whole after-life. For weeks I would not listen to my father's proposal, to + hide what would send all the world from me in loathing behind a mask; but + I came to my senses at last, and from that day to the present—more + days than either you or I would care to count—it has not been one + hour altogether off my face.” + </p> + <p> + “I was the wonder and talk of Paris, when I did appear; and most of the + surmises were wild and wide of the mark—some even going so far as to + say it was all owing to my wonderful unheard-of beauty that I was thus + mysteriously concealed from view. I had a soft voice, and a tolerable + shape; and upon this, I presume, they founded the affirmation. But my + father and I kept our own council, and let them say what they listed. I + had never been named, as other children are; but they called me La Masque + now. I had masters and professors without end, and studied astronomy and + astrology, and the mystic lore of the old Egyptians, and became noted as a + prodigy and a wonder, and a miracle of learning, far and near. + </p> + <p> + “The arts used to discover the mystery and make me unmask were innumerable + and almost incredible; but I baffled them all, and began, after a time, + rather to enjoy the sensation I created than otherwise. + </p> + <p> + “There was one, in particular, possessed of even more devouring curiosity + than the rest, a certain young countess of miraculous beauty, whom I need + not describe, since you have her very image in Leoline. The Marquis de + Montmorenci, of a somewhat inflammable nature, loved her almost as much as + he had done my mother, and she accepted him, and they were married. She + may have loved him (I see no reason why she should not), but still to this + day I think it was more to discover the secret of La Masque than from any + other cause. I loved my beautiful new mother too well to let her find it + out; although from the day she entered our house as a bride, until that on + which she lay on her deathbed, her whole aim, day and night, was its + discovery. There seemed to be a fatality about my father's wives; for the + beautiful Honorine lived scarcely longer than her predecessor, and she + died, leaving three children—all born at one time—you know + them well, and one of them you love. To my care she intrusted them on her + deathbed, and she could have scarcely intrusted them to worse; for, though + I liked her, I most decidedly disliked them. They were lovely children—their + lovely mother's image; and they were named Hubert, Leoline, and Honorine, + or, as you knew her, Miranda. Even my father did not seem to care for them + much, not even as much as he cared for me; and when he lay on his + deathbed, one year later, I was left, young as I was, their sole guardian, + and trustee of all his wealth. That wealth was not fairly divided—one-half + being left to me and the other half to be shared equally between them; + but, in my wicked ambition, I was not satisfied even with that. Some of my + father's fierce and cruel nature I inherited; and I resolved to be clear + of these three stumbling-blocks, and recompense myself for my other + misfortunes by every indulgence boundless riches could bestow. So, + secretly, and in the night, I left my home, with an old and trusty + servant, known to you as Prudence, and my unfortunate, little brother and + sisters. Strange to say, Prudence was attached to one of them, and to + neither of the rest—that one was Leoline, whom she resolved to keep + and care for, and neither she nor I minded what became of the other two.” + </p> + <p> + “From Paris we went to Dijon, where we dropped Hubert into the turn at the + convent door, with his name attached, and left him where he would be well + taken care of, and no questions asked. With the other two we started for + Calais, en route for England; and there Prudence got rid of Honorine in a + singular manner. A packet was about starting for the island of our + destination, and she saw a strange-looking little man carrying his luggage + from the wharf into a boat. She had the infant in her arms, having carried + it out for the identical purpose of getting rid of it; and, without more + ado, she laid it down, unseen, among boxes and bundles, and, like Hagar, + stood afar off to see what became of it. That ugly little man was the + dwarf; and his amazement on finding it among his goods and chattels you + may imagine; but he kept it, notwithstanding, though why, is best known to + himself. A few weeks after that we, too, came over, and Prudence took up + her residence in a quiet village a long way from London. Thus you see, Sir + Norman, how it comes about that we are so related, and the wrong I have + done them all.” + </p> + <p> + “You have, indeed!” said Sir Norman, gravely, having listened, much + shocked and displeased, at this open confession; “and to one of them it is + beyond our power to atone. Do you know the life of misery to which she has + been assigned?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it all, and have repented for it in my own heart, in dust and + ashes! Even I—unlike all other earthly creatures as I am—have + a conscience, and it has given me no rest night or day since. From that + hour I have never lost sight of them; every sorrow they have undergone has + been known to me, and added to my own; and yet I could not, or would not, + undo what I had done. Leoline knows all now; and she will tell Hubert, + since destiny has brought them together; and whether they will forgive me + I know not. But yet they might; for they have long and happy lives before + them, and we can forgive everything to the dead.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are not dead,” said Sir Norman; “and there is repentance and + pardon for all. Much as you have wronged them, they will forgive you; and + Heaven is not less merciful than they!” + </p> + <p> + “They may; for I have striven to atone. In my house there are proofs and + papers that will put them in possession of all, and more than all, they + have lost. But life is a burden of torture I will bear no longer. The + death of him who died for me this night is the crowning tragedy of my + miserable life; and if my hour were not at hand, I should not have told + you this.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have not told me the fearful cause of so much guilt and + suffering. What is behind that mask?” + </p> + <p> + “Would you, too, see?” she asked, in a terrible voice, “and die?” + </p> + <p> + “I have told you it is not in my nature to die easily, and it is something + far stronger than mere curiosity makes me ask.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so! The sky is growing red with day-dawn, and I shall never see the + sun rise more, for I am already plague-struck!” + </p> + <p> + That sweetest of all voices ceased. The white hands removed the mask, and + the floating coils of hair, and revealed, to Sir Norman's horror-struck + gaze, the grisly face and head, and the hollow eye-sockets, the grinning + mouth, and fleshless cheeks of a skeleton! + </p> + <p> + He saw it but for one fearful instant—the next, she had thrown up + both arms, and leaped headlong into the loathly plague-pit. He saw her for + a second or two, heaving and writhing in the putrid heap; and then the + strong man reeled and fell with his face on the ground, not feigning, but + sick unto death. Of all the dreadful things he had witnessed that night, + there was nothing so dreadful as this; of all the horror he had felt + before, there was none to equal what he felt now. In his momentary + delirium, it seemed to him she was reaching her arms of bone up to drag + him in, and that the skeleton-face was grinning at him on the edge of the + awful pit. And, covering his eyes with his hands, he sprang up, and fled + away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. DAY-DAWN. + </h2> + <p> + All this time, the attendant, George, had been sitting, very much at his + ease, on horseback, looking after Sir Norman's charger and admiring the + beauties of sunrise. He had seen Sir Norman in conversation with a strange + female, and not much liking his near proximity to the plague-pit, was + rather impatient for it to come to an end; but when he saw the tragic + manner in which it did end, his consternation was beyond all bounds. Sir + Norman, in his horrified flight, would have fairly passed him unnoticed, + had not George arrested him by a loud shout. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, Sir Norman,” he exclaimed, as that gentleman turned + his distracted face; “but, it seems to me, you are running away. Here is + your horse; and allow me to say, unless we hurry we will scarcely reach + the count by sunrise.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman leaned against his horse, and shaded his eyes with his hand, + shuddering like one in an ague. + </p> + <p> + “Why did that woman leap into the plague-pit?” inquired George, looking at + him curiously. “Was it not the sorceress, La Masque?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes. Do not ask me any questions now,” replied Sir Norman, in a + smothered voice, and with an impatient wave of his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever you please, sir,” said George, with the flippancy of his class; + “but still I must repeat, if you do not mount instantly, we will be late; + and my master, the count, is not one who brooks delay.” + </p> + <p> + The young knight vaulted into the saddle without a word, and started off + at a break-neck pace into the city. George, almost unable to keep up with + him, followed instead of leading, rather skeptical in his own mind whether + he were not riding after a moon-struck lunatic. Once or twice he shouted + out a sharp-toned inquiry as to whether he knew where he was going, and + that they were taking the wrong way altogether; to all of which Sir Norman + deigned not the slightest reply, but rode more and more recklessly on. + There were but few people abroad at that hour; indeed, for that matter, + the streets of London, in the dismal summer of 1665, were, comparatively + speaking, always deserted; and the few now wending their way homeward were + tired physicians and plague-nurses from the hospitals, and several hardy + country folks, with more love of lucre than fear of death bending their + steps with produce to the market-place. These people, sleepy and pallid in + the gray haze of daylight, stared in astonishment after the two furious + riders; and windows were thrown open, and heads thrust out to see what the + unusual thunder of horses' hoofs at that early hour meant. George followed + dauntlessly on, determined to do it or die in the attempt; and if he had + ever heard of the Flying Dutchman, would undoubtedly have come to the + conclusion that he was just then following his track on dry land. But, + unlike the hapless Vanderdecken, Sir Norman came to a halt at last, and + that so suddenly that his horse stood on his beam ends, and flourished his + two fore limbs in the atmosphere. It was before La Masque's door; and Sir + Norman was out of the saddle in a flash, and knocking like a postman with + the handle of his whip on the door. The thundering reveille rang through + the house, making it shake to its centre, and hurriedly brought to the + door, the anatomy who acted as guardian-angel of the establishment. + </p> + <p> + “La Masque is not at home, and I cannot admit you,” was his sharp salute. + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall just take the trouble of admitting myself,” said Sir Norman, + shortly. + </p> + <p> + And without further ceremony, he pushed aside the skeleton and entered. + But that outraged servitor sprang in his path, indignant and amazed. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; I cannot permit it. I do not know you; and it is against all + orders to admit strangers in La Masque's absence.” + </p> + <p> + “Bah! you old simpleton!” remarked Sir Norman, losing his customary + respect for old age in his impatience, “I have La Masque's order for what + I am about to do. Get along with you directly, will you? Show me to her + private room, and no nonsense!” + </p> + <p> + He tapped his sword-hilt significantly as he spoke, and that argument + proved irresistible. Grumbling, in low tones, the anatomy stalked + up-stairs; and the other followed, with very different feelings from those + with which he had mounted that staircase last. His guide paused in the + hall above, with his hand on the latch of a door. + </p> + <p> + “This is her private room, is it!” demanded Sir Norman. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Just stand aside, then, and let me pass.” + </p> + <p> + The room he entered was small, simply furnished, and seemed to answer as + bed-chamber and study, all in one. There was a writing-table under a + window, covered with books, and he glanced at them with some curiosity. + They were classics, Greek and Latin, and other little known tongues—perhaps + Sanscrit and Chaldaic, French belles lettres, novels, and poetry, and a + few rare old English books. There were no papers, however, and those were + what he was in search of; so spying a drawer in the table, he pulled it + hastily open. The sight that met his eyes fairly dazzled him. It was full + of jewels of incomparable beauty and value, strewn as carelessly about as + if they were valueless. The blaze of gems at the midnight court seemed to + him as nothing compared with the Golconda, the Valley of Diamonds shooting + forth sparks of rainbow-fire before him now. Around one magnificent + diamond necklace was entwined a scrap of paper, on which was written: + </p> + <p> + “The family jewels of the Montmorencis. To be given to my sisters when I + am dead.” + </p> + <p> + That settled their destiny. All this blaze of diamonds, rubies, and opals + were Leoline's; and with the energetic rapidity characteristic of our + young friend that morning, he swept them out on the table, and resumed his + search for papers. No document was there to reward his search, but the + brief one twined round the necklace; and he was about giving up in + despair, when a small brass slide in one corner caught his eye. Instantly + he was at it, trying it every way, shoving it out and in, and up and down, + until at last it yielded to his touch, disclosing an inner drawer, full of + papers and parchments. One glance showed them to be what he was in search + of—proofs of Leoline and Hubert's identity, with the will of the + marquis, their father, and numerous other documents relative to his wealth + and estates. These precious manuscripts he rolled together in a bundle, + and placed carefully in his doublet, and then seizing a + beautifully-wrought brass casket, that stood beneath the table, he swept + the jewels in, secured it, and strapped it to his belt. This brisk and + important little affair being over, he arose to go, and in turning, saw + the skeleton porter standing in the door-way, looking on in speechless + dismay. + </p> + <p> + “It's all right my ancient friend!” observed Sir Norman, gravely. “These + papers must go before the king, and these jewels to their proper owner.” + </p> + <p> + “Their proper owner!” repeated the old man, shrilly; “that is La Masque. + Thief-robber-housebreaker—stop!” + </p> + <p> + “My good old friend, you will do yourself a mischief if you bawl like + that. Undoubtedly these things were La Masque's, but they are so no + longer, since La Masque herself is among the things that were!” + </p> + <p> + “You shall not go!” yelled the old man, trembling with rage and anger. + “Help! help! help!” + </p> + <p> + “You noisy old idiot!” cried Sir Norman, losing all patience, “I will + throw you out of the window if you keep up such a clamor as this. I tell + you La Masque is dead!” + </p> + <p> + At this ominous announcement, the ghastly porter fell back, and became, if + possible, a shade more ghastly than was his wont. + </p> + <p> + “Dead and buried!” repeated Sir Norman, with gloomy sternness, “and there + will be somebody else coming to take possession shortly. How many more + servants are there here beside yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Only one, sir—my wife Joanna. In mercy's name, sir, do not turn us + out in the streets at this dreadful time!” + </p> + <p> + “Not I! You and your wife Joanna may stagnate here till you blue-mold, for + me. But keep the door fast, my good old friend, and admit no strangers, + but those who can tell you La Masque is dead!” + </p> + <p> + With which parting piece of advice Sir Norman left the house, and joined + George, who sat like an effigy before the door, in a state of great mental + wrath, and who accosted him rather suddenly the moment he made his + appearance. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you what, Sir Norman Kingsley, if you have many more morning calls + to make, I shall beg leave to take my departure. As it is, I know we are + behind time, and his ma—the count, I mean, is not one who it + accustomed or inclined to be kept waiting.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite at your service now,” said Sir Norman, springing on horseback; + “so away with you, quick as you like.” + </p> + <p> + George wanted no second order. Before the words were well out of his + companion's mouth, he was dashing away like a bolt from a bow, as + furiously as if on a steeple-chase, with Sir Norman close at his heels; + and they rode, flushed and breathless, with their steeds all a foaming, + into the court-yard of the royal palace at Whitehall, just as the early + rising sun was showing his florid and burning visage above the horizon. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The court-yard, unlike the city streets, swarmed with busy life. Pages, + and attendants, and soldiers, moving hither and thither, or lounging + about, preparing for the morning's journey to Oxford. Among the rest Sir + Norman observed Hubert, lying very much at his ease wrapped in his cloak, + on the ground, and chatting languidly with a pert and pretty attendant of + the fair Mistress Stuart. He cut short his flirtation, however, abruptly + enough, and sprang to his feet as he saw Sir Norman, while George + immediately darted off and disappeared from the palace. + </p> + <p> + “Am I late Hubert?” said his hurried questioner, as he drew the lad's arm + within his own, and led him off out of hearing. + </p> + <p> + “I think not. The count,” said Hubert, with laughing emphasis, “has not + been visible since he entered yonder doorway, and there has been no + message that I have heard of. Doubtless, now that George has arrived, the + message will soon be here, for the royal procession starts within half an + hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure there is no trick, Hubert? Even now he may be with Leoline!” + </p> + <p> + Hubert shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “He maybe; we must take our chance for that; but we have his royal word to + the contrary. Not that I have much faith in that!” said Hubert. + </p> + <p> + “If he were king of the world instead of only England,” cried Sir Norman, + with flashing eyes, “he shall not have Leoline while I wear a sword to + defend her!” + </p> + <p> + “Regicide!” exclaimed Hubert, holding up both hands in affected horror. + “Do my ears deceive me? Is this the loyal and chivalrous Sir Norman + Kingsley, ready to die for king and country—” + </p> + <p> + “Stuff and nonsense!” interrupted Sir Norman, impatiently. “I tell you any + one, be he whom he may, that attempts to take Leoline from me, must reach + her over my dead body!” + </p> + <p> + “Bravo! You ought to be a Frenchman, Sir Norman! And what if the lady + herself, finding her dazzling suitor drop his barnyard feathers, and soar + over her head in his own eagle plumes, may not give you your dismissal, + and usurp the place of pretty Madame Stuart.” + </p> + <p> + “You cold-blooded young villain! if you insinuate such a thing again, I'll + throttle you! Leoline loves me, and me alone!” + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless she thinks so; but she has yet to learn she has a king for a + suitor!” + </p> + <p> + “Bah! You are nothing but a heartless cynic,” said Sir Norman, yet with an + anxious and irritated flush on his face, too: “What do you know of love?” + </p> + <p> + “More than you think, as pretty Mariette yonder could depose, if put upon + oath. But seriously, Sir Norman, I am afraid your case is of the most + desperate; royal rivals are dangerous things!” + </p> + <p> + “Yet Charles has kind impulses, and has been known to do generous acts.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he? You expect him, beyond doubt, to do precisely as he said; and if + Leoline, different from all the rest of her sex, prefers the knight to the + king, he will yield her unresistingly to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing but his word for it!” said Sir Norman, in a distracted + tone, “and, at present, can do nothing but bide my time.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been thinking of that, too! I promised, you know, when I left her, + last night, that we would return before day-dawn, and rescue her. The + unhappy little beauty will doubtless think I have fallen into the tiger's + jaws myself, and has half wept her bright eyes out by this time!” + </p> + <p> + “My poor Leoline! And O Hubert, if you only knew what she is to you!” + </p> + <p> + “I do know! She told me she was my sister!” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman looked at him in amazement. + </p> + <p> + “She told you, and you take it like this?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, I take it like this. How would you have me take it? It is + nothing to go into hysterics about, after all!” + </p> + <p> + “Of all the cold-blooded young reptiles I ever saw,” exclaimed Sir Norman, + with infinite disgust, “you are the worst! If you were told you were to + receive the crown of France to-morrow, you would probably open your eyes a + trifle, and take it as you would a new cap!” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I would. I haven't lived in courts half my life to get up a + scene for a small matter! Besides, I had an idea from the first moment I + saw Leoline that she must be my sister, or something of that sort.” + </p> + <p> + “And so you felt no emotion whatever on hearing it?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know as I properly understand what you mean by emotion,” said + Herbert, reflectively. “But ye-e-s, I did feel somewhat pleased—she + is so like me, and so uncommonly handsome!” + </p> + <p> + “Humph! there's a reason! Did she tell you how she discovered it herself?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me see—no—I think not—she simply mentioned the + fact.” + </p> + <p> + “She did not tell you either, I suppose, that you had more sisters than + herself?” + </p> + <p> + “More than herself! No. That would be a little too much of a good thing! + One sister is quite enough for any reasonable mortal.” + </p> + <p> + “But there were two more, my good young friend!” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible?” said Hubert, in a tone that betrayed not the slightest + symptom of emotion. “Who are they?” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman paused one instant, combating a strong temptation to seize the + phlegmatic page by the collar, and give him such another shaking as he + would not get over for a week to come; but suddenly recollecting he was + Leoline's brother, and by the same token a marquis or thereabouts, he + merely paused to cast a withering look upon him, and walked on. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Hubert, “I am waiting to be told.” + </p> + <p> + “You may wait, then!” said Sir Norman, with a smothered growl; “and I give + you joy when I tell you. Such extra communicativeness to one so stolid + could do no good!” + </p> + <p> + “But I am not stolid! I am in a perfect agony of anxiety,” said Hubert. + </p> + <p> + “You young jackanapes!” said Sir Norman, half-laughing, half-incensed. “It + were a wise deed and a godly one to take you by the hind-leg and nape of + the neck, and pitch you over yonder wall; but for your master's sake I + will desist.” + </p> + <p> + “Which of them?” inquired Hubert, with provoking gravity. + </p> + <p> + “It would be more to the point if you asked me who the others were, I + think.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have, and you merely abused me for it. But I think I know one of + them without being told. It is that other fac-simile of Leoline and myself + who died in the robber's ruin!” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly. You and she, and Leoline, were triplets!” + </p> + <p> + “And who is the other?” + </p> + <p> + “Her name is La Masque. Have you ever heard it?” + </p> + <p> + “La Masque! Nonsense!” exclaimed Hubert, with some energy in his voice at + last. “You but jest, Sir Norman Kingsley!” + </p> + <p> + “No such thing! It is a positive fact! She told me the whole story + herself!” + </p> + <p> + “And what is the whole story; and why did she not tell it to me instead of + you.” + </p> + <p> + “She told it to Leoline, thinking, probably, she had the most sense; and + she told it to me, as Leoline's future husband. It is somewhat long to + relate, but it will help to beguile the time while we are waiting for the + royal summons.” + </p> + <p> + And hereupon Sir Norman, without farther preface, launched into a rapid + resume of La Masque's story, feeling the cold chill with which he had + witnessed it creep over him as he narrated her fearful end. + </p> + <p> + “It struck me,” concluded Sir Norman, “that it would be better to procure + any papers she might possess at once, lest, by accident, they should fall + into other hands; so I rode there directly, and, in spite of the + cantankerous old porter, searched diligently, until I found them. Here + they are,” said Sir Norman, drawing forth the roll. + </p> + <p> + “And what do you intend doing with them?” inquired Hubert, glancing at the + papers with an unmoved countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Show them to the king, and, though his mediation with Louis, obtain for + you the restoration of your rights.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you think his majesty will give himself so much trouble for the + Earl of Rochester's page?” + </p> + <p> + “I think he will take the trouble to see justice done, or at least he + ought to. If he declines, we will take the matter in our own hands, my + Hubert; and you and I will seek Louis ourselves. Please God, the Earl of + Rochester's page will yet wear the coronet of the De Montmorencis!” + </p> + <p> + “And the sister of a marquis will be no unworthy mate even for a + Kingsley,” said Hubert. “Has La Masque left nothing for her?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you see this casket?” tapping the one of cared brass dangling from his + belt; “well, it is full of jewels worth a king's ransom. I found them in a + drawer of La Masque's house, with directions that they were to be given to + her sisters at her death. Miranda being dead, I presume they are all + Leoline's now.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a queer business altogether!” said Hubert, musingly; “and I am + greatly mistaken if King Louis will not regard it as a very pretty little + work of fiction.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have proofs, lad! The authenticity of these papers cannot be + doubted.” + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart. I have no objections to be made a marquis of, and go + back to la belle France, out of this land of plague and fog. Won't some of + my friends here be astonished when they hear it, particularly the Earl of + Rochester, when he finds out that he has had a marquis for a page? Ah, + here comes George, and bearing a summons from Count L'Estrange at last.” + </p> + <p> + George approached, and intimated that Sir Norman was to follow him to the + presence of his master. + </p> + <p> + “Au revoir, then,” said Hubert. “You will find me here when you come + back.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Norman, with a slight tremor of the nerves at what was to come, + followed the king's page through halls and anterooms, full of loiterers, + courtiers, and their attendants. Once a hand was laid on his shoulder, a + laughing voice met his ear, and the Earl of Rochester stood beside him! + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Sir Norman; you are abroad betimes. How have you left your + friend, the Count L'Estrange?” + </p> + <p> + “Your lordship has probably seen him since I have, and should be able to + answer that question best.” + </p> + <p> + “And how does his suit progress with the pretty Leoline?” went on the gay + earl. “In faith, Kingsley, I never saw such a charming little beauty; and + I shall do combat with you yet—with both the count and yourself, and + outwit the pair of you!” + </p> + <p> + “Permit me to differ from your lordship. Leoline would not touch you with + a pair of tongs!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! she has better taste than you give her credit for; but if I should + fail, I know what to do to console myself.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask what?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes! there is Hubert, as like her an two peas in a pod. I shall dress him + up in lace and silks, and gewgaws, and have a Leoline of my own already + made its order.” + </p> + <p> + “Permit me to doubt that, too! Hubert is as much lost to you as Leoline!” + </p> + <p> + Leaving the volatile earl to put what construction pleased him best on + this last sententious remark, he resumed his march after George, and was + ushered, at last, into an ante-room near the audience-chamber. Count + L'Estrange, still attired as Count L'Estrange, stood near a window + overlooking the court-yard, and as the page salaamed and withdrew, he + turned round, and greeted Sir Norman with his suavest air. + </p> + <p> + “The appointed hour is passed, Sir Norman Kingsley, but that is partly + your own fault. Your guide hither tells me that you stopped for some time + at the house of a fortune-teller, known as La Masque. Why was this!” + </p> + <p> + “I was forced to stop on most important business,” answered the knight, + still resolved to treat him as the count, until it should please him to + doff his incognito, “of which you shall hear anon. Just now, our business + is with Leoline.” + </p> + <p> + “True! And as in a short time I start with yonder cavalcade, there is but + little time to lose. Apropos, Kingsley, who is that mysterious woman, La + Masque?” + </p> + <p> + “She is, or was (for she is dead now) a French lady, of noble birth, and + the sister of Leoline!” + </p> + <p> + “Her sister! And have you discovered Leoline's history?” + </p> + <p> + “I have.” + </p> + <p> + “And her name!” + </p> + <p> + “And her name. She is Leoline De Montmorenci! And with the proudest blood + of France in her veins, living obscure and unknown—a stranger in a + strange land since childhood; but, with God's grace and your help, I hope + to see her restored to all she has lost, before long.” + </p> + <p> + “You know me, then?” said his companion, half-smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, your majesty,” answered Sir Norman, bowing low before the king. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. FINIS + </h2> + <p> + As the last glimpse of moonlight and of Hubert's bright face vanished, + Leoline took to pacing up and down the room in a most conflicting and + excited state of mind. So many things had happened during the past night; + so rapid and unprecedented had been the course of events; so changed had + her whole life become within the last twelve hours, that when she came to + think it all over, it fairly made her giddy. Dressing for her bridal; the + terrible announcement of Prudence; the death-like swoon; the awakening at + the plague-pit; the maniac flight through the streets; the cold plunge in + the river; her rescue; her interview with Sir Norman, and her promise; the + visit of La Masque; the appearance of the count; her abduction; her + journey here; the coming of Hubert, and their suddenly-discovered + relationship. It was enough to stun any one; and the end was not yet. + Would Hubert effect his escape? Would they be able to free her? What place + was this, and who was Count L'Estrange? It was a great deal easier to + propound this catechism to herself than to find answers to her own + questions; and so she walked up and down, worrying her pretty little head + with all sorts of anxieties, until it was a perfect miracle that softening + of the brain did not ensue. + </p> + <p> + Her feet gave out sooner than her brain, though; and she got so tired + before long, that she dropped into a seat, with a long-drawn, anxious + sigh; and, worn out with fatigue and watching, she, at last, fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + And sleeping, she dreamed. It seemed to her that the count and Sir Norman + were before her, in her chamber in the old house on London Bridge, tossing + her heart between them like a sort of shuttlecock. By-and-by, with two + things like two drumsticks, they began hammering away at the poor, little, + fluttering heart, as if it were an anvil and they were a pair of + blacksmiths, while the loud knocks upon it resounded through the room. For + a time, she was so bewildered that she could not comprehend what it meant; + but, at last, she became conscious that some one was rapping at the door. + Pressing one hand over her startled heart, she called “Come in!” and the + door opened and George entered. + </p> + <p> + “Count L'Estrange commands me to inform you, fair lady, that he will do + himself the pleasure of visiting you immediately, with Sir Norman + Kingsley, if you are prepared to receive them.” + </p> + <p> + “With Sir Norman Kingsley!” repeated Leoline, faintly. “I-I am afraid I do + not quite understand.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will not be much longer in that deplorable state,” said George, + backing out, “for here they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon this intrusion, fairest Leoline,” began the count, “but Sir Norman + and I are about to start on a journey, and before we go, there is a little + difference of opinion between us that you are to settle.” + </p> + <p> + Leoline looked first at one, and then at the other, utterly bewildered. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “A simple matter enough. Last evening, if you recollect, you were my + promised bride.” + </p> + <p> + “It was against my will,” said Leoline, boldly, though her voice shook, + “You and Prudence made me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Leoline, you wrong me. I, at least, need no compulsion.” + </p> + <p> + “You know better. You haunted me continually; you gave me no peace at all; + and I would just have married you to get rid of you.” + </p> + <p> + “And you never loved me?” + </p> + <p> + “I never did.” + </p> + <p> + “A frank confession! Did you, then, love any one else?” + </p> + <p> + The dark eyes fell, and the roseate glow again tinged the pearly face. + </p> + <p> + “Mute!” said the count, with an almost imperceptible smile. “Look up, + Leoline, and speak.” + </p> + <p> + But Leoline would do neither. With all her momentary daring gone, she + stood startled as a wild gazelle. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I answer for her, Sir Count?” exclaimed Sir Norman, his own cheek + dashed. “Leoline! Leoline! you love me!” + </p> + <p> + Leoline was silent. + </p> + <p> + “You are to decide between us, Leoline. Though the count forcibly brought + you here, he has been generous enough to grant this. Say, then, which of + as you love best.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not love him at all,” said Leoline, with a little disdain, “and he + knows it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is I!” said Sir Norman, him whole face beaming with delight. + </p> + <p> + “It is you!” + </p> + <p> + Leoline held out both hands to the loved one, and nestled close to his + side, like a child would to its protector. + </p> + <p> + “Fairly rejected!” said the count, with a pacing shade of mortification on + his brow; “and, my word being pledged, I most submit. But, beautiful + Leoline, you have yet to learn whom you have discarded.” + </p> + <p> + Clinging to her lover's arm, the girl grew white with undefined + apprehension. Leisurely, the count removed false wig, false eyebrows, + false beard; and a face well known to Leoline, from pictures and + description, turned full upon her. + </p> + <p> + “Sire!” she cried, in terror, calling on her knees with clasped hands. + </p> + <p> + “Nay; rise, fair Leoline,” said the king, holding out his hand to assist + her. “It is my place to kneel to one so lovely instead of having her kneel + to me. Think again. Will you reject the king as you did the count?” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, your majesty!”, said Leoline, scarcely daring to look up; “but I + must!” + </p> + <p> + “So be it! You are a perfect miracle of troth and constancy, and I think I + can afford to be generous for once. In fifteen minutes, we start for + Oxford, and you must accompany us as Lady Kingsley. A tiring woman will + wait upon you to robe you for your bridal. We will leave you now, and let + me enjoin expedition.” + </p> + <p> + And while she still stood too much astonished by the sudden proposal to + answer, both were gone, and in their place stood a smiling lady's maid, + with a cloud of gossamer white in her arms. + </p> + <p> + “Are those for me?” inquired Leoline, looking at them, and trying to + comprehend that it was all real. + </p> + <p> + “They are for you—sent by Mistress Stuart, herself. Please sit down, + and all will be ready in a trice.” + </p> + <p> + And in a trice all was ready. The shining, jetty curls were smoothed, and + fell in a glossy shower, trained with jewels—the pearls Leoline + herself still wore. The rose satin was discarded for another of bridal + white, perfect of fit, and splendid of feature. A great gossamer veil like + a cloud of silver mist over all, from head to foot; and Leoline was shown + herself in a mirror, and in the sudden transformation, could have + exclaimed, with the unfortunate lady in Mother Goose, shorn of her tresses + when in balmy slumber: “As sure as I'm a little woman, this is none of + it!” But she it was, nevertheless, who stood listening like one in a + trance, to the enthusiastic praises of her waiting-maid. + </p> + <p> + Again there was a tap at the door. This time the attendant opened it, and + George reappeared. Even he stood for a moment looking at the + silver-shining vision, and so lost in admiration, that he almost forgot + his message. But when Leoline turned the light of her beautiful eyes + inquiringly upon him, he managed to remember it, and announced that he had + been sent by the king to usher her to the royal presence. + </p> + <p> + With a feet-throbbing heart, flushed cheeks, and brilliant eyes, the + dazzling bride followed him, unconscious that she had never looked so + incomparably before in her life. It was but a few hours since she had + dressed for another bridal; and what wonderful things had occurred since + then—her whole destiny had changed in a night. Not quite sure yet + but that she was still dreaming, she followed on—saw George throw + open the great doors of the audience-chamber, and found herself suddenly + in what seemed to her a vast concourse of people. At the upper end of the + apartment was a brilliant group of ladies, with the king's beautiful + favorite in their midst, gossiping with knots of gentlemen. The king + himself stood in the recess of a window, with his brother, the Duke of + York, the Earl of Rochester, and Sir Norman Kingsley, and was laughing and + relating animatedly to the two peers the whole story. Leoline noticed + this, and noticed, too, that all wore traveling dresses—most of the + ladies, indeed, being attired in riding-habits. + </p> + <p> + The king himself advanced to her rescue, and drawing her arm within his, + he led her up and presented her to the fair Mistress Stuart, who received + her with smiling graciousness though Leoline, all unused to court ways, + and aware of the lovely lady's questionable position, returned it almost + with cold hauteur. Charles being in an unusually gracious mood, only + smiled as he noticed it, and introduced her next to his brother of York, + and her former short acquaintance, Rochester. + </p> + <p> + “There's no need, I presume, to make you acquainted with this other + gentleman,” said Charles, with a laughing glance at Sir Norman. “Kingsley, + stand forward and receive your bride. My Lord of Canterbury, we await your + good offices.” + </p> + <p> + The bland bishop, in surplice and stole, and book in hand, stepped from a + distant group, and advanced. Sir Norman, with a flush on his cheek, and an + exultant light in his eyes, took the hand of his beautiful bride who stood + lovely, and blushing, and downcast, the envy and admiration of all. And + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Before the bishop now they stand, + The bridegroom and the bride; + And who shall paint what lovers feel + In this, their hour of pride?” + </pre> + <p> + Who indeed? Like many other pleasant things is this world, it requires to + be felt to be appreciated; and, for that reason, it is a subject on which + the unworthy chronicler is altogether incompetent to speak. The first + words of the ceremony dropped from the prelate's urbane lips, and Sir + Norman's heart danced a tarantella within him. “Wilt thou?” inquired the + bishop, blandly, and slipped a plain gold ring on one pretty finger of + Leoline's hand and all heard the old, old formula: “What God hath joined + together, let no man put asunder!” And the whole mystic rite was over. + </p> + <p> + Leoline gave one earnest glance at the ring on her finger. Long ago, + slaves wore rings as the sign of their bondage—is it for the same + reason married women wear them now? While she yet looked half-doubtfully + at it, she was surrounded, congratulated, and stunned with a sadden clamor + of voices; and then, through it all, she heard the well-remembered voice + of Count L'Estrange, saying: + </p> + <p> + “My lords and ladies, time is on the wing, and the sun is already half an + hour high! Off with you all to the courtyard, and mount, while Lady + Kingsley changes her wedding-gear for robes more befitting travel, and + joins us there.” + </p> + <p> + With a low obeisance to the king, the lovely bride hastened away after one + of the favorite's attendants, to do as he directed, and don a riding-suit. + In ten minutes after, when the royal cavalcade started, she turned from + the pest-stricken city, too and fairest, where all was fair, by Sir + Norman's side rode Leoline. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Sitting one winter night by a glorious winter fire, while the snow and + hail lashed the windows, and the wind without roared like Bottom, the + weaver, a pleasant voice whispered the foregoing tale. Here, as it paused + abruptly, and seemed to have done with the whole thing, I naturally began + to ask questions. What happened the dwarf and his companions? What became + of Hubert? Did Sir Norman and Lady Kingsley go to Devonshire, and did + either of them die of the plague? I felt, myself, when I said it, that the + last suggestion was beneath contempt, and so a withering look from the + face opposite proved; but the voice was obliging enough to answer the rest + of my queries. The dwarf and his cronies being put into his majesty's jail + of Newgate, where the plague was raging fearfully, they all died in a + week, and so managed to cheat the executioner. Hubert went to France, and + laid his claims before the royal Louis, who, not being able to do + otherwise, was graciously pleased to acknowledge them; and Hubert became + the Marquis de Montmorenci, and in the fullness of time took unto himself + a wife, even of the daughters of the land, and lived happy for ever after. + </p> + <p> + And Sir Norman and Lady Kingsley did go to the old manor in Devonshire, + where—with tradition and my informant—there is to be seen to + this day, an old family-picture, painted some twelve years after, + representing the knight and his lady sitting serenely in their “ain ingle + nook” with their family around them. Sir Norman,—a little portlier, + a little graver, in the serious dignity of pater familias; and Leoline, + with the dark, beautiful eyes, the falling, shining hair, the sweet + smiling lips, and lovely, placid face of old. Between them, on three + hassocks, sit three little boys; while the fourth, and youngest, a + miniature little Sir Norman, leans against his mother's shoulder, and + looks thoughtfully in her sweet, calm face. Of the fate of those four, the + same ancient lore affirms: “That the eldest afterward bore the title of + Earl of Kingsley; that the second became a lord high admiral, or + chancellor, or something equally highfalutin; and that the third became an + archbishop. But the highest honor of all was reserved for the fourth, and + youngest,” continued the narrating voice, “who, after many days, sailed + for America, and, in the course of time, became President of the United + States.” + </p> + <p> + Determined to be fully satisfied on this point, at least, the author + invested all her spare change in a catalogue of all the said Presidents, + from George Washington to Chester A. Arthur, and, after a diligent and + absorbing perusal of that piece of literature, could find no such name as + Kingsley whatever; and has been forced to come to the conclusion that he + most have applied to Congress to change his name on arriving in the New + World, or else that her informant was laboring reader a falsehood when she + told her so. As for the rest, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “I know not how the truth may be; + I say it as 'twas said to me.” + </pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Midnight Queen, by May Agnes Fleming + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN *** + +***** This file should be named 2950-h.htm or 2950-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/2950/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Project Gutenberg Volunteer, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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