Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

— ge = . ‘ ae ee ee ee — ee — eee ——_——— eee eee resolved, as I had told him, to let myself die of hunger. I spent the day and night in prayer; for I hoped that God would forgive my self-murder. On the second night the door was opened. I was lying on the floor, for my strength began to failme. At the noise, I raised myself upon my hand. ‘** Well,’ said a voice which vibrated on my ear too terribly to be mistaken—‘ Well, have you become a lit- tle more compliant, and you will purchase liberty by a mere promise of silence? Come, I am a good prince,’ added he, ‘and although I do not love the puritans, | do them justice, as well as to the female ones—when they are pretty. Come, give me aylittle oath upon the cross; I ask for nothing more.’ “*On the cross!" I exclaimed, raising myself up for, at that detested word I had recovered ) my strength. ‘Upon the cross I swear that no promise, no_ thre no torture, shall close my lips, Upon the cross I swear to denounce you everywhere as a murderer, a violator of honor, asa coward! On the cross I swear, if 1 ever accom lish my escape, to demand vengeance against you from the whole human race!’ “*Toke care!’ said the voice, in atone of menace that J had not yet heard; ‘I have one expedient, which I will only employ at the last extremity, to stop your mouth; or, at least, to hinder any one from believing a syllable of what you say.’ **T rallied all my strength to answer bya laugh of scorn. **He saw that from time to time it was war to the death between us. ‘** Listen,’ said he; ‘I yet give you the remainder of this night, and to-morrow. Reflect! Promise to be silent; and wealth, consideration, honors even shall surround you. Threaten to speak, and [condemn you to infamy.’ **You?’ I exclaimed, ‘ you!’ ‘** To eternal, ineffaceable infamy!’ “*Youl’ I repeated. Oh! I assure you Felton, I believed that he was mad. ** Yes, I!’ he replied. ‘‘* Ah leave me,'I cried, ‘leave me,if you do not wish me to dash out my brains against the walls before your eree * Well!’ said he; ‘you demand it? I therefore leave you till to-morrow evening.’ “* Till to-morrow eyening,’ I replied, sinking on the floor, and biting the carpet in my rage.’ Felton supported himself ys a chair; and her ladyship saw, with a demoniacal joy, that the fortitude of the young officer would probably give way before the end of her recital. ae CHAPTER LY. AN EVENT IN CLASSICAL TRAGEDY. After amoment’s aience wich bos hope Daag ayes in observing the you cer who was listening to her, she continued her recital. “For nearly the three days, I had neither eaten or drank,"’ said she, ‘‘and I was suffering dreadful tor- tures. Sometimes, a feeling as of passing clouds, which pressed upon my brow and dimmed my sight, came over me; it was delirium. The evening arrived. I was so weak thatI fainted every moment; and each time that I fainted, I thanked God, for I believed that I was dying. During one of these fainting fits, I heard the door open, and terror recalled me to myself. gs 8 yam cutor entered, followed by a man in a mask. e was himself also masked; but I reco his step, his voice, and that commanding air which hell has given to his person, for the misfortune of mankind. “ « Well,’ said he, ‘ have al gh cass to take the oath which I require of i poe ***You have yourself said the Sieber ge are faithful to their word; and you have already heard my resolution— it is, to appeal against you here, on earth, to the tri- bunal of men, and, in heaven, to the tribunal of God! ‘***So! you persist? ‘“* Yes! I swear it before the God who hears me—I will call the whole world to witness to your wickedness, and will never cease until I have found an avenger.’ “** You are an abandoned woman,’ said he, in a voice of thunder, ‘and you shall suffer the punishment of one! Tainted as you are in the eyes of that world which you invoke, try to prove to it that youare neither guilty nor insane, ‘“Then addressing the man who accompanied him— * Executioner,’ said he, ‘do your duty!’” ‘Oh! his name! his name!"’ cried Felton, in a new burst of rage; “tell me his name!” ‘* Then, in spite of cries, in spite of my resistance, for 1 began to understand that something worse than death was. meditated against me, the executioner seized me threw me on the floor, and bound me 80 as to wound and bruise me by his violence; and then, whilst I was suffocated by my_sobs, almost senseless, and callin aloud on that God who did not listen to my cries— uttered suddenly a fearful shriek of y and shame. A burning instrument, a red-hot iron, the brand of the executioner, bee, been stamped upon my shoulder!” Felton groaned. “Look!” said her ladyship, rising with all the maj- mags Mad a queen; “look, Felton, how a& new oy on ™m om has been invented for a pure young girl, the vietim of a monster's brutal crime! Learn to Esow the hearts of men, and, henceforth, be more reluctant to become the instrument of their unjust revenge.” Her ladyship, with a rapid motion, threw o her robe, tore away the cambric which covered her shoulder, and, ciimsoned by ded rage and stimulated shame, exposed to the young man the ineffaceable mark which dishonored that beautifal shoulder. But,”’ exclaimed Felton, “ it is a fluer-de-lis that I behold!” * And in that consists the infamy,’ replied her ladyship. “The brand o mepland would have | made it necessary for him to prove from what court the | THREE GUARDSMAN. THE — ee —— —— -e- sentence had been issued; and I should have made a! public reference to all the tribunals of the realm; but the brand of France—Oh! by that I was indeed brand- } the same time ed r?? It was more than Felton could endure. Pale, motion- less, petrified by this frightful revelation, dazzled by the superhuman loveliness of that‘woman, who unveiled herself before him with an immodesty which appeared to him sublime; he fell upon his knees before her, as did the first Christians before those pure and holy martyrs,whom'the persecution of the emperors delivered in the Circus, to the sanguinary wantonness of the, mob. The mark of infamy disappeared; the beauty alone remained. “Forgive me, forgive me!" exclaimed Felton; “oh, forgive me!” Her ladyship read in his eyes; “Love! love!” ‘“* Forgive you—for what?’’ she inquired. oe Forgive me for joining myself with your oppres- sors.”’ Her ladyship held out her hand. **So beautiful! so young!’ exclaimed Felton, cover- ing that hand with kisses. fer ladyship cast upon him one of those glances, which convert the slave into a monarch. Felton, puritan as he was, relinquished her hand to kiss her feet. He had before violently loved—he now adored her! When this crisis had passed over; when her ladyship appeared to have resumed the calmness she had never ost— ** Ah!’ said he, ‘*I have now only one thing more to ask of you: it isthe name of your true executioner; for, in my opinion, there was only one: the other was an in- strument, nothing more.” ** Brother!’’ exclaimed her ladyship, ‘‘ can it be neces- sary for me now to tell his name? Have you not already guessed it?"’ ‘“What!"’ resumed Felton, ‘‘ him—again him!—what! the true criminal?”’ ‘*The true criminal,” said her ladyship, ‘‘is the plunderer of England, the persecutor of al! true believ- ers, the cowardly destroyer of woman's honor—he who, for a caprice of his polluted heart, is about to shed so much of England's biood; who protects the protestants to-day, and to-morrow will betray them!”’ ‘**Buckingham! Itisindeed Buckingham!” exclaimed the exasperated Felton. Her ae hid her face in her hands, as if she hab aaa e toendure the shame which that name re- called. ‘*Buckingham! the executioner of this angelic crea- ture!’ exclaimed Felton. ‘* And thou, oh God! hast not smitten him! Thou hast left him, noble, honored, pow- erful, for the destruction of us all?” **God abandons him whoceases to be constant to himeelf,’’ said her ladyship. ‘* But, surely he must wish to draw down upon him- self the chastisement reserved for the accursed!’’ con- tinued Felton, with increasing excitement. ‘* Surely he must wish that human vengence should anticipate the chastisement of heaven!”’ ‘* But men fear and spare him!” ** Oh!” exclaimed Felton, ‘‘ I fear him not neither will I spare him!"’ a ladyship felt her heart bathed in a flood of infern- al joy. ** But how,” continued Felton, ‘‘ does Lord de Winter rt a protector, my father—come to be concerned in 8 be | ‘*Listen, Felton,’’ replied her ladyship.—‘ By the ride of the cowardly and contemptible, there are always men of noble generous natures. I was betrothed to a man whom I loved, and who loved me; a heart like ours, Felton—a man like you. I went to him and old him what had taken place. He knew him well and did not entertaina moment's doubt. He was a nobie- man—a man equalin every respectto Buckingham. He spoke not, but he girded on his sword, wrapped his nae Peaner him, and proceeded to the palace of the uke. ‘* Yes, yes,” said Felton, ‘: I understand: yet, with such men, it is not the sword that should be used, but the dagger.” ‘*Buckingham had departed on the previous tpn as embassador to the court of Spain, where he went to demand the hand of the In- fanta for King Charles I., then Prince of Wales. My lover returned. ‘**Listen,’ said he: ‘this man is gone, and, conse- quently, for the present he escapes my vengeance. But, inthe meantime, let us be united, as we ought to be; and then depend on Lord de Winter to support his own honor and that of his wife.’’’ “Lord de Winter!"’ exclaimed Felton. ** Yes,"’ said her ladyship, ** Lord de Winter. And now you understand it all, do you not? Buckingham re mained absent nearly a tog eight days before his re- turn, Lord de Winter died suddenly, leaving his sole heiress. Whence came this blow? God, who sees everything, doubtless knows: as for me, I accuse no- “Oh, what an abyss! what an abyss!’ exclaimed Fel- to n. ‘* Lord de Winter had died without confiding in his brother. The terrible secret was to have been concealed from every one, until it burst like thunder on the guilty duke. Your protector had seen, with pain, this mar- of his brother with a young and portionless girl; and I perceived that I could expect no assistance from & man who was disappointed in his hopes of a inherit- ance. I went to France, resolved to remain there for the remainder of my life. But my whole fortune was in England; and all communications be stopped by the war, I was in want of everything, and was in fact me to return. Six days ago, I arrived at Ports- mouth.” “* Well?’ said Felton. * Well! Buckingham had unquestionably been ap- Se ee —- —— a Le raised of my return, and announced it to Lord de ‘inter, who was already prejudiced against me, and at suaded him that his sister-in-law was a dissolute and branced woman. The pureand noble voice of my husband was no longer there to defend me. Lord de Winter no doubt believed all that he heard, and the more readily, betause it was his interest to believe it. Hence he caused me to be arrest: d, conveyed here and placed under your charge. You know the sequel, The day after to-morrow he banishes, he transports me—the day after to-morrow he sends me forth amongst the infamous. Oh! the wool is well woven, the plot is skilfully planned, and my honor will perish in it. You see, Felton, that mustdie! Felton, giveme the knife!" . At these words, as if all her strength was exhausted, her ladyship sunk, weak and languishing, into the arms of the young officer. “No, no!” said he: * wk x, shall live—you shall live honored and pure—you shall live to triumph over. your enemies !”” Her ladyship gently forced him back with her hand, whilst she attracted him by her look, ‘*Oh, death! death!” said she, lowering her eyelids and her voice: ‘‘death rather than disgrace, Felton—my brother, my friend—I beseech you!" ** No!” exclaimed Felton, ‘‘no! you shall live, and you shall be avenged.”’ ‘*Felton, [ bring misfortune upon everything that surrounds me! Felton, desert me—let me die!” ** Well, then, let us die together!"’ exclaimed he. Several knocks sounded on the door. ‘* Listen!’ said she: * we have been overheard. They come, and itisended. Weare undone!” ‘‘No,” said Felton, “it is the sentinel, who merely. lets me know that the guard is about to be relieved.” ** Hasten, then, to the door, and open it yourself.” Felton obeyed ber. This woman already wholly en- : . his thoughts—she was already mistress of all 8 soul. On opening the door he found himself confronted by a sergeant, who commanded a patrol of the guard. “Well, what is the matter?” demanded the young ae ‘**You told me,’’ replied the sentinel, “to open the door if I heard you call for help, Pat you forgot to leave me the key. I heard you cry out, withont under- standing what gr said; I tried to open the door, but it was iastened inside, and therefore I called the ser- geant.”’ ‘* And here I am,” said the sergeant. Felton—wandering, wild, verging upon madness—re- mained apocenesei Her ladyship saw at once that she must release him from this embarrassment. She ran to the table and seized the knife which he had placed there. ‘‘And by what right would you prevent my death?’ said she. ‘Great God!” exclaimed Felton, as he saw the knife glittering in her hand. At this moment a burst of ironical laughter resounded in the corridor, ' The a by av aon stood, in his dress- ng-gown, and with his sword under his arm, upon the threshold of the door, is *‘Ah, ah!” said he, “‘ here we are at the laat act of the tragedy. You see, Felton, the drama has presented all the phases that I indicated. But don't concern your- self—no blood will be spilled." , Her ladyship felt that she was ruined, unless she gave tu Felton immediate and terrible proof of her courage. “You deceive yoursey my lord! Blood will be spilled; and may that blood fall back on those who cause it to flow!” “Felton uttered a cry, and rushed towards her; but . he was too late—she had dealt the blow. The knife had fortunately—we ought to say skilful! —encountered the steel busk, by which, as by = cdveed: the chests of women were at that period defended, and. lancing aside, had torn the robe, and pen ransversely between the flesh and the ribs. elady's dress was, neverthless, instantaneously stained with blood, and she fell back apparently insensible, Felton snatched 7 the knife. ‘See, my lord,” said he, with a gloomy] look; “this woman, who was under m guard, has slatn herself!" “Make yourself easy, ton,” replied Lord de Win- ter; *‘she is not dead: demons do not die so easily. Make yourself easy, and go and wait for me in my apartment."’ ‘** But, my lord ——"’ At this Sapmnetth napa rior, F 8 injunction from his superior, Felton obeyed: but, as he went out, he placed the knife in his ae As for Lord de Winter he contented himself with summoning the woman who waited upon her ladyship; and when she came, having recommended the prisoner, who was still insensible, to her care, he left them | together. evertheless, as the wound might, after all, in spite of his suspicions, be serious, he immediately despa & man on horseback for a surgeon. weve ee a CHAPTER LVI. THE ESCAPE. As Lord de Winter had suspected, her ladyship was not very dangerously wounded. As soon, hateaeen as she found herself alone with the attendant for whom the baron had sent, and who hastened to undress her, she opened her eyes. It was, however, necessary to counterfeit weakness and pain, and to an actress like her ladyship, this was no difficult matter. So com pletely, indeed was the poor woman the dupe of hep prisoner, that, in spite of her entreaties, she watching over her hout the night. But the presence of woman was no impediment to her ladyship’sthouguts, There could be no longer any (E| OOO) com