Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

64 THE GHOSTS “You are not deceiving me?” said the counsellor, in a grave voice. “* No,” replied Frederick. ‘‘ One hope remains. I will seek Lady Edgeworth, and may Providence for the moment restore to her one rav of reason.”’ ‘*Since you are disposed to think that the papers, which will establish the innocence of the accused, are secreted,” said the coun- sellor, ‘‘I will give you two days before I execute my rigorous orders. In the meantime I must remain in the mansion, and Adah Latimer will be a prisoner within it. I know not whether I am acting legally in this affair, but my conscience tells me I am acting justly,’’ continued the counsellor, with a bland smile, ‘-and should Frederick Edgeworth rend asunder the veil which hides from man the truth I shall only have committed a trifling fault to accom- plish a great good.” Frederick left the chamber with the determination of seeking out Lady Edgeworth, who, as he was aware, possessed the only means of retrieving his mother’s fair name. His first search was through the house. To his grief she was no longer its occupant. The grounds next came under consideration. Here she was nowhere to be found, either in its walks or plantations. The neighbourhood was next scoured ; but no tiding of the ill-fated woman or her whereabouts could be learned. It was night ere Frederick came back to the Manor House, and having been uusuccessful in his pursuit he requested the domestics that they would be silent on his return, nor acquaint his mother with his ill-fortune. Anxiety, suspense, and terror overpowered him, till at length he fell into a sort of stupor. ; On a sudden he was roused by some one who had entered the room in which he was seated, A figure had advanced unperceiv:d towards him, and then in- dicated that he must follow immedia ely in his footsteps. Frederick, in accompanying the stranger, was surprised to find two horses, ready saddled, awaiting them at the portal. He seemed so unaccountably fascinated by him, that he was unable to resist his slightest wish, and as the storm, which was transitory, was passing off, he did not hesitate to mount his horse and ac- company his companion in the journey he had proposed, and from which, as he was told, great results were to be expected. After a few turns they came to a wretched hovel, near which was a rudely represented figure, which denoted it to be intended as the sign tothe miserable inn. A wretched fire was alight in what was considered the chief room, a cheerless chamber, round which was seated mine host and a solitary guest. ‘Long life to your honours! You are welcome to the ‘ Gipstes’ Haunt,’ ” said the landlord, as he hastened to the door of his house, in order to assist the travellers to alight. But they, to his chagrin, refused such a service, as their stay could be prolonged only while he brought them a jugfull of that in- spiring liquor called rum punch, for which the house, though ex- tremely mean in its appearance, was celebrated. - The foremost rider appeared to be totally ignorant of the qualities of the far-famed beverage, for he resolitely refused to partake of a modicum, while his companion, Frederick Edgeworth, enervated and exhausted, took what is termed a lusty pull. ‘‘ You have had travellers here to-day, or rather, early this morning ?” said the one who had refused the liquor. ‘Yes, two.” ‘‘ A female and her attendant—a man who acts in the capacity of her servant ?”’ «bite, persons answering this description I have certainly seen, and—— *€ Are they still in your house ?” 66 No.” being ‘* Have they departed ?” ie 4 Yes.” “* How long since ?”’ ‘Shortly after day-break.’’ ‘They were not pedestrians, I take it?” “You are right. They were in a caléche; the vehicle being under the guidance of the man, who was very obsequious to his mistress’s commands.” ‘* Which road did they take ?”’ *‘That which runs through Darley Wood, and I am not mistaken when I say that——” ‘* We shall come up with them before they expect it.” The travellers 1ow put spurs to their horses, and resumed their journey with the utmost speed. Atter an hour’s hard riding he suddenly stopped short ghd inti- mated to Frederick they had arrived at their destination. Alighting, to his surprise, his companion was no longer to be seen, and Frederick found himself alone at the threshold of the Ghost’s House, oO beesd HOUSE IN ‘hopeless on that score, and pronounce that her senses are lost for THE LONELY ROAD. CHAPTER XI. HOW THE GHOST APPEARED ON THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE. FREDERICK EDGEWORTH lJoitered some time in front of the haunted mansion, pondering on his late interview, and the apparent supernatural character of the horseman who had accompanied him on his journey from Dartford. ‘s Wherefore has he quitted me,’’ he exclaimed, ‘‘ and why lead me hither? Am betrayed, or am I from this place todeal punish- ment on my guilty persecutors ? May I not have been enticed for some nefarious purpose, and my life pay the penalty of my folly?” -* Quick as the thought, Frederick turned liis horse’s head to quit — the spot, and his hoofs rattled along the thickest and darkest part — of the road. He had not proceeded far, when he came toa halt suddenly, as if ashamed of his fears. -! At the same moment, a figure glided by the startled officer in the direction of the Ghost’s House. rf Struck by the singular appearance, he determined to follow and watch the proceedings of the man, and in order to conceal his — design, got off his horse, which he tied to a tre>, and pursued stealthily on foot the object that had attracted his attention. d The road now led through a thicket. Presently an opening dis- — closed that the pursurer and the pursued were seen by each other— the former dashing into a chasm, disappeared from view, leaving the cloak in which he had been enveloped on the ground, and beyartll s this no further trace of him was visible. Frederick, perplexed and bewildered, picked up the fallen gar- ment, which, to his surprise, was marked with his own crest. “The mystery is partly solved,” he cried; ‘‘ this vestment belongs to one of my own servants, and by the hasty glance I ob- tained of the fleeting form, it should be that of Tony Foster. His mistress, then, is doubtless concealed in the house hard by, and it — was for this reason the mysterious companion of my journey thither sought me out.”’ Frederick was close upon the house; in the sombre midnight it appeared more silent, dark and deserted than ever. On reaching it he ascended the steps leading to the high door- — way. Pushing along the dark passages, he ar:ived at an apartment ~ crossed by beams of blackened oak, from which was suspended a lamp with several burners, which cast their dull glare upon Lady Edgeworth, who was the sole tenant of the obscurely illumined chamber. She was sitting as if absorbed in deep reflection. The hood she wore was thrown back, discovering her bare neck, over which her dishevelled hair streamed in dark sable locks; her large black eyes were fixe vacantly on some point of the room, and every feature depicted wild alarm and melancholy madness. } At short intervals she would appear sensible, and hopes would be revived that she would again be restored to herself and reason. -But they who know the nature of her fearful malady, are ’ ever. The remembrance that her own crime has caused a life of misery and death of torture to her own offspring had rendered her demen- tation deep, and her insanity incurable. (To be continued.) NOW READY, MOONLIGHT JACK, THE KING OF THE. ROAD! A New Tale of extraordinary interest, showing, among numerous exciting incidents, how Meonlight Jack was hung in chains, and how he was restored to life—how a wealthy miser caused a young man to become a highway- man—the strange disappearance from the Round Room of the Inn—the Stain of Blood—the White Spectre—the Cloud of Fire—the Baptism of Blood—the Marriage, and Disappearance of the Bride—Strange Secrets of Huntley Manor—Wild Scene in the Glen, &c., &c., &c, A LARGE PICTURE AND No. 2 GIVEN AWAY WITH No. 1, With a highly ornamented wrapper. ORDER AT ONCE OF YOUR BOOKSELLERS, The Christmas Story of the “‘GHOST’S HOUSE IN THE LONELY ROAD” will conclude in No. 9, In No. 10 will be commenced a, New Tale of most absorbing interest, written by a Colonel of the American Army, from an incident that came com