Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

ROSE MORTIMER ; Oo ee faint rustling of the necromancer’s garments as he moved about the apartment hatching his spells and charms. Faithful to his contract, the visitor neither moved nor spoke. His eyes remained all the time fixed upon the burning spirit, and the gracefully curling smoke as it wreathed up over the flames. He seemed to be growing very comfortable. A blissful sensation stole over him. He appeared ignorant of all care or sorrow. Nothing but tranquillity and peaceful happiness. His eyelids began to droop. ‘“‘T wish he’d ,finish his conjuring,” thought the visitor. ‘I shall be off asleep as soon as it is all ready.” Noiselessly Mermet at this moment appeared upon the other side of the flame. j The reflection of the spirit light upon his hideous face and dark grizzled beard had a most peculiar and weird effect. The magician’s right hand grasped a wand, which he held pointed at the curtain. Slowly, and as if in obedience to a mentally-uttered command from the Arab, the tapestry withdrew. Beyond it was discovered a scene which caused the visitor the utmost wonderment. Seated over a vase of flowers in the centre of the place was Sir Harold King. A fixed expression was upon his face, He neither moved nor spoke, Motionless as a statue he sat. He appeared to be rather a beautifully executed image in wax than aught else. The effect upon the visitor was electrifying. His eyes dilated, and his lower jaw fell as if at the last breath of life. He essayed to rise, but his limbs were powerless. ‘* The dog !” said the Arab, in a low but impressive tone. The words sent a shiver through the visitor’s frame. ‘* Stay !”’ he muttered hoarsely. ‘‘I—I—”’ As he uttered these words the startling vision was aver. The curtain closed to, shutting out the strange sight, ‘You have spoken,’’ said Mermet sternly, ‘‘ and | the charm is dissolved.”’ | The few faint syllables which the visitor had uttered, | however, it would appear, had taken what little power | Of speech remained to him. His head rested motionless upon his hand. At first it might have been thought that the effect of the singular illusion which he had just witnessed had caused him to swoon. But no. His eyes were wide open. His face remained immoveable, the expression which it had last worn resting upon his features. Still he could see nothing. Hear nothing. All that passed around him was utterly unheeded. And yet a second vision was there which would ae caused him even more astonishment than the rst. The curtain was again withdrawn, and the figure of Sir Harold King seemed on a sudden inspired with life and animation. And yet he saw it not. % * % % ik % ‘‘ 1’m at your disposal, sir.’’ The magician entered the apartment in which Sir Harold King was seated over the flower-stand. As he spoke the baronet looked up and smiled. The spell which had seemingly held his faculties enchained was broken, “What beautiful flowers!’’ said vatat rustling of the neoomauears canine clie | te = 7.' cree baronet rapturously. ‘‘ They are pleasing.” ‘¢ They are most choice.” *¢ And have been frequently admired,”’ said Mermet. ‘“You are at liberty to take them with you, if you will.” « Nay. worlds.” ‘‘ Then I will make you a bouquet.”’ “¢ Make them ?”’ ‘Ay. These are all my work.” *€ Indeed ?”’ The magician was advanced another step in Sir Harold’s esteem, “Touching the matter of which I said Mermet. ** This hidden foe ?” ce Ay.” “Well, well. What would you ?”’ ** Pray you to be upon your guard.” *“ But at least let me have some clue.’’ “You shall. I dare not speak a name, Dut you shall see his image. Behold.” The tapestry glided aside and disclosed the motion- less figure of the visitor. ** Strangeways !’’ ejaculated Sir Harold King. “Hush!” And the curtain fell. ‘One moment more,” said the baronet, ** Too late.’’ “* But how too late.”’ ** You have spoken.” 74 Anad—’? ‘€ And the spell’s dissolved.”’ Sir Harold looked rather startled. ‘“‘ So,” said he, ‘‘ this is the man against whom you would warn me?” «So says my information.” “* But this is one of my most intimate friends,” **T know it.” ce How (ied “Ay. But since when does he count amongst your friends ?”’ *‘ Why, in truth, it is only a recent acquaintance- ship—that is, comparatively recent.” “‘That man’s a paryenu,”’ said the magician— an upstart.”’ “‘Why, he had the best of introduction to us I assure you.” ** Possibly.” *‘ The Marquis of Stingo is his most intimate friend I hear.”’ ** Possibly.” *€ And the whole club court his society,” “* Possibly.” ** But, hang it! how can he be what you say with all these advantages? ” ‘‘No matter. You shall see a knave exposed.’ or A knave} ? Strangeways?” “6 Ay.” ‘* But what proof? ”’ *¢ This is the best that I can offer you. At an early date you will be drinking with your friend—” “Doubtless. But that happens every day, I say. ) “Good. Well, say to-morrow, when you will see him drinking from one decanter alone. Abstain from touching the other.’ I could not deprive you of them for spoke to you,”’ I should ** What ? ”’ ejaculated the horror-stricken baronet. “‘T say, refrain from drinking from any bottle that your best friend will not touch. No matter the pretext, and he’ll have one I warrant you, for he’s as cunning as the fiend.’’ ‘¢T will,”’ said the baronet, with aresolute air. ** I’ll do as you Say.” COMME DOO KS sO