Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

14 his return from a voyage to China, Richard had reached London; he only spent one day there, and, being misled by some calitmny which had got abroad about me, he left for Paris with a-friend to whom he said, ‘hey tell me that Laura’ has betrayed me shamefully ; it cannot be, but, if that be true, there shall be death to my rival or to me !’” ‘‘ But who could have slandeted you so. much in London ?” Jessie asked. a “T wish that I knew. Richard had not even seen his mother, Every one was in ignorance of his short stay in London, In vain did I question his friend on this point, he was ellent,” - “That is very strange.” ‘Unfortunately, he shared Richard's suspicions, What I foresaw occurred ; I was compromised most tatally on account of the attentions of the Count ; I passed in Paris as his mistress, and, when Richard inquired about me, I was wrongfully accused by one common voice. However, determined not to be misled by appearances, cousin Richard went to the Count and told him of his affection for me, and that we were be- trothed, adding that young girls were often coquettish and still not. culpable, and that the world was oftentimes slan- derous on that account, He entreated the Count, in the name of honour, not to conceal the truth, and, whatever it was, he would believe it,” , “And the Count, what said he?” asked Jessie. “ Far from being touched and softened by this language he treated him with hauteur, and said, ““« Since you have watched the Lady Laura for two days of course you know which is her chamber?’ ' “*T know it, for, unnoticed by her, I saw her in the batcony,’ “Tf it will be any satisfaction for you to know the truth or falsehood of what rumour says, be in front of that balcony at three o’elock to-morrow morning, and your curiosity shall be fully satisfied,’ “In his passion Richard struck him, At break of daya duel ensued, and Richard fell. His last wish was to conceal his death from his mother; he wished to leave her in that uncertainty common to the lives of all who go to sea,” Lady Laura had scarcely finished the painful story of her wrongs when she fell back upon the couch on which she sat, and burst into a flood of bitter, bitter tears. Not so Jessie. She rose to her feet as if stung by an adder ! Her eyes flashed a strange and deadly light. Her face was flushed, and with outstretched hand to heaven she looked like one inspired. She seemed as one who saw both the future and the past, Her strange majestic and determined attitude struck Laura with surprise, For a time Jessie’s lips moved as if in prayer, and her eyes were suffused with tears. Her countenance suddenly changed from its calm, holy look. Her eyes flashed fire ! ‘ Her whole frame trembled with awful passion, and her breast heaved quickly and her breath was short, She ground her white pearly teeth and laughed aloud ! ‘What means this?” inquired Lady Laura, in’terror and surprise. “What means this?” repeated Jessie, with looks of com- passion upon her young and pallid mistress, “ What means this?” she said, with a faint smile, ‘Ha! ha! TI was born under a spell, fair lady, my loved and darling mistress! It is not yet broken, Jama gipsy !” she exclaimed, in triumph ; “the mysteries of our race you canuot—never will know, But listen,” she added, with a trembling lip, “ Z knew all the very moment it happened!” “What?” gasped Laura, in agony and surprise. “Tis true,” said Jessie, with the air of a queen, Her manners had instantly changed. She looked no more the willing and obedient servant, Laura listened with distended eyes to the words of the gipsy- girl, who, with awful calmness, said slowly, “This is the Sorcerer’s work !" ‘ “The Sorcerer? What mean ye?” asked Laura, in fright, “The Sorcerer? ‘Yes. Be not afraid nor alarmed, dear lady, I am born to revenge you !” IVAN THE * hear and see, and live ! TERRIBLE. . ’ After a solemn pause, she added, with terrible passion, “ And I Wii revengegou!” Young Lady Laura seemed stupefied at what she heard. She seemed to be in a dream as she listened to what Jessie added, ? “To-night, you must come with me. We will meet Basil in the convent ruins. You shall hear and see what few could “ CHAPTER IX. THE INCANTATION IN THE ABBEY RUINS AT MIDNIGHT— THE STORM—THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL SPIRITS—A VISION OF THE SCORPION APPEARS—SCENES OF AWFUL MYSTERY —LAURA AND. JESSIE, CONCEALED IN THE RUINS, SEE ALL —THE*DREAD RESOLVE ! - PERCY CASTLE stood high among mountains that overlooked the sea, and was surrounded by a magnificent park domain that stretched for miles on either hand in hill or dale, while thick forest-like trees broke in upon the view and diversified the beautiful grand and romantic landscape, ’'Twas midnight. The castle clock had solemnly tolled the awful dreaded hour. tf The moon had climbed high into the heavens, and sailed bright and majestic among the stars, ~ ; ee Courage, Lady Laura. Follow me!’ At that lonely hour there issued from the castle gates two figures! Both were cloaked and disguised |! They were none other than the Lady Laura and Jessie. They were journeying to the ruined abbey, which, covered with ivy, lay sleeping in the vale beneath them. They journeyed forward with courage and determination. As they walked down the mountain side into the valley — towards the abbey ruins, Jessie suddenly stopped and bade Laura hide in a clump of trees. There were heard the footsteps of some one approaching. He is going to his. ‘Silence !” whispered Jessie, “’tis he! incantations in the rnins, This is his hour!” ‘“ Who approaches?” asked Laura, timidly. as “Tis Basil the Sorcerer, and Ivan the Terrible,” whispered | the gipsy girl, as she peeped through the bushes. Three figures were discovered stealing down towards the abbey. They were evidently anxious to escape all observa- tion, and, therefore, walked close to the bushes in which Laura and Jessie were concealed ! The first man was a tall, rough, heavily-armed, and de- — termined-looking man, whose heavily booted heel struck the — ground as if he wished to crush all that came in his way. He was cloaked and masked, asif he wished no one, not even a passing bat upon the wing, to look upon or detect him. ~ His companion was an old man, who, lantern in hand, crept along, muttering to himself. _ “The human victim, Ivan,” said the old man, with listen: ing eyes, “have you secured him? Remember, this is the — Bond of Blood!” 4 ‘I do—the victim is here!” growled Tvan the Terrible, who, by the light of the Sorcerer's lamp, was now discovered lead- ing a beautiful youthful victim that was to be sacrificed at the terrible ordeal ! ' He was quite a boy—pale, pretty, and engaging, He was bound by the hands, was blind-folded, and a rope was round his neck by which Ivan pulled and dragged him along ! ‘Ha, ha!” laughed the Sorcerer, “I should know the features of the victim ; it is Edward, the youngest son of Barl Percy, my enemy! You kidnapped him! Ha! hal” At that moment terrible screams were heard, Dark and ghastly spirits appeared | They danced around Ivan and his victim ! Ivan trembled in every limb, The sights that then ap- peared before his astonished eyes froze his heart’s blood, “°Tis the Dance of Death!” said the Sorcerer; “ behold !” At that moment a strange form appeared that terrified both the Sorcerer and Ivan, He was cloaked from head fo foot, and with a huge long Fie “ « vj sword in his right hand, he boldly advanced, and said ih- terrifying tones, ' Tob ymaUsect Z SO comicbookss¢om