Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

47 THE GHOSTS HOUSE IN THE LONELY ROAD. (Continued from page 40.) , — CHAPTER VII. AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR IN THE OLD OAK CHAMBER. Ir was one of those sombre afternoons of autumn which seem to make all nature dull and desolate that found Lady Edgeworth and her confidant, Tony Foster, closeted in.an old oak chamber of her mansion, . That chamber, too, was now rendered more dreary by the grey sky, and with gleams that appeared about the horizon. The occupants also appeared affected by the cheerless weather, which impressed on either countenance a sort of unmistakable, and at the same time an inconceivable melancholy. “‘T came to inform your ladyship,” said Tony, submissively, “that my father is no more.”’ “I know it,” she replied, ‘‘and the secret which should have been buried with his body, divulged.” ** By a death-bed confession,’ continued Tony ; ‘‘ but you have yet to learn that a public clamour will call for justice.” **T shail be able to silence it,” replied Lady Edgeworth. “I have not suffered torture for twenty years to perisi as soon as I have accomplished my purpose.” “‘T trust the mistress of Tony Foster believes her servant faithful.” “* Prove it so by speaking of the hateful boy now dend no further. I shall amply recompense you for your fidelity. With regard to the suspicions, I can easily remove them; [ shall declare that my murdered nephew was an illegitimate son of your mother’s, whom your father had imprisoned to hide his wife’s dishonour.” “‘ Should they believe this all will be well, since I have destroyed the other testimony of our crime.” ; “¢ What mean you ?” «¢ Manetho !”” “* Great heaven !’’ ‘* He knew everything. But calm your idle terrors, he will give you no further trouble; the dead ne’er prattle or tell the secrets of the living. Last night seeured my vengeance, and the earth— the impervious earth, now hides his mangled corpse.” As he spoke a malicious grin covered the face of Tony, while he playfully handled the knife with which he had committed the foul murder of Manetho. For the moment Lady Edgeworth stood like one stunned ; her features were of death’s paleness, and their expression totally dis- similar to that which they usually wore. Bee ae had sueceeded Tony’s last words, during which neither spoke, The haughty woman at length broke silence, and, with a tremb- ling voice, inquired, “¢ Are you sure you were not seen in your work of blood ?” *‘ My precautions were too well taken, and I defy detection. I have concealed the body in the vault which contained our first victim ; near the entrance I have poised a huge stone which in an instant I ean drop into the aperture and no sign of the hidden or be discerned by the observant eye that seeks Manetho’s omb. “* This crime is horrible!” exclaimed Lady Edgeworth, with an involuntary shudder. “* But necessary,” coolly remarked Tony. “I should have used poison but the means were too tardy, madam, though the mixture is deadly and the same I prepared for your nephew’s destruction. You have ever trusted me in these matters, so [ took upon myself the use of the knife, and I found it more efficacious.” ** But were there no other means but assassination ?”’ asked Lady Edgeworth. ‘* None,” replied the imperturbable Tony. ‘‘ I argued with myself, calmly, like aman ofnerve. His life is a bar—a hated bar to the happiness and welfare of my noble mistress. His presence will destroy her hope of aggrandisement. The man who would ruin her would undo me; human natare cries out undo. Am I right, my lady?” ‘‘ But another murder is added to the bead-roll of our mutual guilt.” *““Pshaw! When aserpentstings man crushes the venomous rep- tile. I have done no morein this. The estate and wealth for which you have dyed your soul in blood will now be secured 1o yourself and son; you will be able to cancel the heavy debt you owe me for my services, and all parties will be made happy.” At this moment a noise arrested Lady Edgeworth and her con- fidant, who listened in breathless silence to its repetition, which ap- peared more than ever to proceed from the adjoining room. *¢ Surely there are spies hovering around us.”’ ‘¢ Tf so they will not live to disclose what they have overheard.” With these words Tony opened the door cautiously, and followed by Lady Edgeworth into the next chamber. It was empty, but there was sufficient evidence to show that the occupant had but recently quittedit. Both then mounted the staircase that abutted upon it, which was composed of very dark cak, with an elaborately carved railing of the same material. Here they turned into a dark and long passage, halted before the door which stood about half- way down it, and entered the gloomy and disused apartment, in which it was supposed the fugitive had taken refuge. {t was hung with faded tapestry, and garnished with furniture a century old. . The apartment was tenanted by a lady whose figure and features betokened the marks of grief and affliction. She was kneeling before a crucifix, as if engaged in earnest prayer. On the table a lamp was burning, and near it an open bible and hour-glass. Tony sprang behind the curtains for concealment as his mistress advanced to the supplicant. It was a dread calm which followed the recognition. She at leneth demanded in a voice severe, why she was honoured by a visit from one she had supposed long since dead ? . ‘‘The reason will not surprise you, Lady Edgeworth,” replied Adah Latimer, with equal hauteur, ‘‘ when you learn that I have something of importance to ‘communicate.” ‘Indeed; then I fain would know what it is that brings you hither ?” ‘*T have received a letter from your son requiring my presence here,” replied Adah. ‘‘ The contents lead me to hope that I may prove a friend tv him, and that we may ourselves be no longer enemies.” “*T thought as much,” exclaimed Lady Edgeworth, while a bitter smile settled on her countenance.” **T charge you, as you hope for mercy,” continued the pleading woman, ‘‘ to restore to me my child, who, for twenty years, by your consent, has been deprived of the light of day, and whom Providence will again place in my hands.” “‘Nothing further, Adah Latimer?” said the other, archly. ** Yes ; 1 would have you render up the title that belongs to him. Consent, and [ will pray that you may be spared from those eternal tortures your former cruelty must of a necessity provoke.” “¢ Surrender rank and title? Ruin my own son? Absurd!’ Upen this remark Tony Foster leapt from his hiding-place, his: steel gleamed in the air; but a frown from Lady Edgeworth he sheathed it again in its scabbard. **I would have you know,” she cried, ‘‘ that the letter in your own handwriting, acknowledging the murder of Lord Edgeworth, and which Job Foster refused to deliver up to you, is among papers which I now possess.” ““Beitso. For your own security you will not dare to expose me. The web is too deeply woven for you. to clear yourself from my accusation. If I sink you sink with me, Adah Latimer.” ** Since you reject my entreaty, perhaps you will listen to the prayer of one more respected by Lady Edgeworth.” “‘ What do you mean ?” “The prayer of one who has put me in possession of your secret.” “ And this one is ——” ** Frederick Edgeworth!” said the young officer, as he suddenly entered the apartment. “‘You have in your keeping the proof of the existence of my son,” said Adah, addressing Frederick. ‘‘ Deny it not; you have told me so. By your soul’s salvation !—In the name of heaven who hears us !—in the name of heaven who judges us!—I charge you give it me.” ‘Madman !” exclaimed Lady Edgeworth, in a subdued voice, as she witnessed Frederick yield the documents, ‘‘ what have you done ?’ “‘ My duty,” replied the officer, and turning to Adah, continued ; ‘‘it is a painful one, but I have performed it. You have demanded of me a trust which a dying man had confided to my tutor, Manetho; and now, madam, in return for the service I have done you, I must request your silence till to-morrow night, then you shall learn the motive for this delay.” “To-morrow night? Before then you shall have those papers,” said Tony, to Lady Edgeworth, as he left the room to follow Frederick and Adah, who had quitted it, Com ‘ CONMNCOOOKS