The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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296 thing that I can hesitate to explain. I conducted the lady over the mansion; and amongst other places, I showed her the cabinet in which divers family relics and various curiosities are kept * “Yes, yes—the one opening from the grand saloon!” ejaculated the Duke. “ But about that dagger P” “Tt has been kept in that cabinet, my lord, for many, many years past »! “ And wherefore was it kept? who gave you such an order ?” . rn eee eee ee A a etait THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Purvis touched the secret spring—opened the drawer—and said, “Yes, look, my lord! the weapon is there !” At that very instant the wax-light was dashed from Marchmont’s hand; and the saloon was en- veloped in total darkness. The Duke, with a loud moan, fell heavily upon the carpet; and Purvis was seized with so awful a terror that he felt as if his senses were abandoning him. “ My lord, my lord!” he at length murmured : and in the utter darkness of the place he felt his “No one, my lord,’ answered the steward; | way to the Duke, who lay stretched upon the floor. “and I cannot define the feeling which has thus | Still under the influence of the direst, awfullest prompted me to keep it. It was always secured | terror, the old steward entertained the horrible and placed out of sight in a secret drawer: I | apprehension that some assassin-blow had been showed it to the lady for curiosity’s sake—and I | dealt at his master. remember perfectly well that she questioned me as to the mode of opening that secret drawer. I saw no harm in giving her the explanation she sought H “Well, well,” cried the Duke, stamping his foot impatiently; “it was through your folly that the weapon thus fell into her hands! But, come—let us see whether she has restored it to its place—or whether she has taken it away with her?” “Taken it away, my lord?” cried Purvis: “she would not do such a thing as that! Indeed, I wonder that one so well-behaved i “Cease you prating, and come!” ejaculated the Duke: then snatching up one of the wax-candles, he hurried from the room. Purvis followed him close; and they proceeded towards the saloon with the marble pillars, the costly draperies, and the exquisite specimens of sculpture. At the very moment the Duke of Marchmont burst in with the feverish haste which inspired him, he stopped short; and something like an ejaculation of terror burst from his lips, while his eyes were riveted in a particular direc- tion. “What is it, my lord?” inquired Purvis, catch- ing the infection of the Duke’s terror, but yet not comprehending the cause. “ Did you not perceive how the drapery at that end—I mean close by the door of the cabinet— was suddenly and strongly agitated?”—and the Duke’s countenance was very pale as he spoke. “No, my lord,’ answered Purvis; “1 did not notice it. It must either have been your Grace’s fancy—or else it was the wind.” “Yes, it was doubtless a draught caused by the sudden opening of this door!’—and the Duke ad- vanced into the saloon, still carrying the wax-light in his hand. As they drew near the cabinet, Marchmont’s looks were thrown upon the drapery which he had either seen, or fancied to have seen for an instant swaying to and fro: but it was now completely still. Still there was a certain vague terror in Marchmont’s soul; and he would have looked hind those hangings, were it not that he was aamed to display his fears in the presence of the vard. ‘Ypen the cabinet, Purvis,” he said: and the ‘was at once obeyed. “Now let us see +r the degoer be here.” ot ee: \ained standing upon the threshold “Px At the door, as it now stood open, iself and the drapery which a few had excited his apprehension. ee ee eT ss testes He swept his hands over the prostrate form—inanimate too as well as prostrate : but they encountered no weapon nor oozing blood. Then Purvis ran out into the corridor—but with his hair almost standing on end as he traversed the spacious saloon: for the frightful thought was racking his mind that amidst the total darkness which prevailed, a mischief might be done by un- seen hands upon himself. However, he passed without molestation into the corridor; and thence he took a lamp which was burning there. As he re-entered the saloon with the light, his glances were flung in quick nervous anxiety around: but he beheld no one except the prostrate form of his ducal master stretched near the threshold of the cabinet. On approaching nearer, he perceived that Marchmont was now recovering, and that there was no appearance about his person of any Injury sustained. A long gasping moan came slowly from his lips; and raising himself partially up, he looked with wild haggard eyes around him: then as his regards settled upon the steward, he said, ‘‘Good heavens, Purvis! what could that have been? what followed when I sank down in unconsciousness ?”’ “Get up, my lord,” cried the old steward, in a state of feverish excitement: “let us alarm the household—-there must be robbers in the place !” ** No, no—be quiet !”’ said the Duke, now rising up to his feet: and Purvis recoiled in actual dis- may from the ghastly horror which was depicted on Marchmont’s countenance. “Tell me,’ con- tinued the Duke, speaking in a deep hollow voice, “what did you hear? what sound did you catch? were any words spoken P” “IT know not, my lord—I cannot recollect. My ideas are still all in confusion :’—and Purvis looked around him in a species of bewildered con- sternation. “ But you must recollect !’’ exclaimed the Duke impatiently ; “you did not lose your conscious- ness " “ But I well nigh lost my senses, my lord,” was the steward’s remark, which under less grave and fearful circumstances would have appeared ludi- crous enough. “TI tell your Grace there must be robbers in the mansion !—let us raise an alarm !”’ ‘“ No—I command you to remain here, and to be quiet !” said the Duke sternly: and he appeared now to have almost regained his wonted self- possession. ‘ Here—give me that lamp.” “The dagger is safe!” ejaculated Purvis, as his eyes, plunging into the cabinet, fell upon the weapon which lay in the drawer that was open; and its bright blade reflected the beams of the lamp. SN men re ee ee et GCOmichbooks (E(0)