登陆注册
15313700000093

第93章 MABEL LYNDWOOD(2)

"For what reason?" demanded the earl, as he followed his conductor up the steep side of the mound.But receiving.no reply, he did not renew the inquiryEntering a door in the covered way at the head of the flight of steps communicating with the Norman Tower, they descended them in silence.Just as they reached the foot of this long staircase, the earl chanced to cast back his eyes, and,to his inexpressible astonishment, perceived on the landing at the head of the steps, and just before the piece of ordnance commanding the ascent, the figure of Herne the Hunter.

Before he could utter an exclamation, the figure retreated through the adjoining archway.Telling the officer what he had seen, Surrey would fain have gone in quest of the fiendish spy; but the other would not permit him; and affecting to treat the matter as a mere creation of fancy, he hurried the earl to his chamber in the Curfew Tower.

The next day, Surrey was removed betimes to the Round Tower, and the cause of the transfer was soon explained by the discharge of ordnance, the braying of trumpets and the rolling of drums, announcing the arrival of the king.From the mystery observed towards him, Surrey was led to the conclusion that the Fair Geraldine accompanied the royal party; but he in vain sought to satisfy himself of the truth of the surmise by examining, through the deep embrasure of his window, the cavalcade that soon afterwards entered the upper quadrangle.Amid the throng of beautiful dames surrounding Anne Boleyn he could not be certain that he detected the Fair Geraldine; but he readily distinguished the Duke of Richmond among the nobles, and the sight awakened a pang of bitter jealousy in his breast.

The day wore away slowly, for he could not fix his attention upon his books, neither was he allowed to go forth upon the battlements of the tower.In the evening, however, the officer informed him he might take exercise within the dry moat if he was so inclined, and he gladly availed himself of the permission.

After pacing to and fro along the walk for a short time, he entered the arbour, and was about to throw himself upon the bench, when he observed a slip of paper lying upon it.He took it up, and found a few lines traced upon it in hurried characters.They ran thus: -"The Fair Geraldine arrived this morning in the castle.If the Earl of Surrey desires to meet her, he will find her within this arbour at midnight."This billet was read and re-read by the young earl with feelings of indescribable transport; but a little reflection damped his ardour, and made him fear it might be a device to ensnare him.There was no certainty that the note proceeded in any way from the Fair Geraldine, nor could he even be sure that she was in the castle.Still, despite these misgivings, the attraction was too powerful to be resisted, and he turned over the means of getting out of his chamber, but the scheme seemed wholly impracticable.The window was at a considerable height above the ramparts of the keep, and even if he could reach them, and escape the notice of the sentinels, he should have to make a second descent into the fosse.And supposing all this accomplished how was he to return? The impossibility of answering this latter mental interrogation compelled him to give up all idea of the attempt.

On returning to his prison-chamber, he stationed himself at the embrasure overlooking the ramparts, and listened to the regular tread of the sentinel below, half resolved, be the consequences what they might, to descend.As the appointed time approached, his anxiety became almost intolerable, and quitting the window, he began to pace hurriedly to and fro within the chamber, which, as has been previously observed, partook of the circular form of the keep, and was supported in certain places by great wooden pillars and cross-beams.But instead of dissipating his agitation, his rapid movements seemed rather to increase it, and at last, wrought to a pitch of uncontrollable excitement, he cried aloud -"If the fiend were to present himself now, and offer to lead me to her, Iwould follow him."

Scarcely were the words uttered than a hollow laugh broke from the farther end of the chamber, and a deep voice exclaimed-- "I am ready to take you to her." "I need not ask who addresses me," said Surrey, after a pause, and straining his eyes to distinguish the figure of the speaker in the gloom.

"I will tell you who I am," rejoined the other."I am he who visited you once before--who showed you a vision of the Fair Geraldine--and carried off your vaunted relic--ho! ho!""Avoid thee, false fiend!" rejoined Surrey, "thou temptest me now in vain.""You have summoned me," returned Herne; "and I will not be dismissed.

I am ready to convey you to your mistress, who awaits you in King James's bower, and marvels at your tardiness.""And with what design dost thou offer me this service?" demanded Surrey.

"It will be time enough to put that question when I make any condition,"replied Herne."Enough, I am willing to aid you.Will you go?""Lead on! "replied Surrey, marching towards him.

Suddenly, Herne drew a lantern from beneath the cloak in which he was wrapped, and threw its light on a trap-door lying open at his feet.

"Descend!"

Surrey hesitated a moment, and then plunged down the steps.In another instant the demon followed.Some hidden machinery was then set in motion, and the trap-door returned to its place.At length, Surrey arrived at a narrow passage, which appeared to correspond in form with the bulwarks of the keep.Here Herne passed him, and taking the lead, hurried along the gallery and descended another flight of steps, which brought them to a large vault, apparently built in the foundation of the tower.Before the earl had time to gaze round this chamber, the demon masked the lantern, and taking his hand, drew him through a narrow passage, terminated by a small iron door, which flew open at a touch, and they emerged among the bushes clothing the side of the mound.

同类推荐
  • 佛说广义法门经

    佛说广义法门经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 小道地经

    小道地经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 醒名花

    醒名花

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 明伦汇编家范典叔侄部

    明伦汇编家范典叔侄部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 目门

    目门

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 中日学者抗战文史研究论文集

    中日学者抗战文史研究论文集

    民间信仰带有极强的现世利益色彩,寻求死后救赎的观念十分淡薄。对一般大众而言,阴间并不是由神佛的真理所支配的极乐世界,而是现实世界的投影和生前世界的延长。人们按规矩通过祭祀在这种世界的祖灵的方法,来保证现世利益。
  • 魅寒

    魅寒

    “啪啪啪!”代表喜庆的鞭炮声响起,今天是他的喜日,但在他身边的新娘却不是她。她苦笑着的说:“天要下雨,你要娶人,那么……”
  • 废材女的萌宠

    废材女的萌宠

    一代天才夏紫萱渡劫失败!一次重生变成废材!偶得魔宠贝贝!她为他洗尽铅华!他为她化形为人!谁是谁的谁?谁生?谁死?
  • 缘樱

    缘樱

    爱,太脆弱;恨,太深沉!若有来生,你便自由了!樱花七日,留下你最美的容颜!她,平平凡凡的女大学生,突然某一天被一块玉石认定为冥界的主人,从此,被卷入权谋的漩涡。他,骄傲有为的神界少将军,却被四处追杀。命运的轮回,意料之外,命定之中,那年樱花树下,缘起相逢,缘灭而散……
  • 男生女生流行的心理测试题

    男生女生流行的心理测试题

    趣味性心理测试是人们了解自我、认识世界的另一个途径。明智的人会利用这些测试题追寻自己在生活和工作中的影子,很好地了解自己的优缺点,进而扬长避短、完善自己、走向成功。
  • 魔鬼契书

    魔鬼契书

    现实不允许的美好,就让我们的爱情活在小说里。
  • 冷心王爷宠爱妃

    冷心王爷宠爱妃

    一段往事,三个女孩与一个男人的情爱纠葛,最后男人选择了逃离,独剩下女孩默默苦守却不幸掉落到那个朝代,是遇到了她的他,还是只是一个幻梦?一个是唐朝未来的君主,一个是江湖中的怜花宫宫主,两个男人的温情是否能温暖我的心呢?是无法抉择还是害怕江湖恩怨?还是害怕宫妃的勾心斗角?还是心遗落在那个未来吗?
  • 道德真经全解

    道德真经全解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 送葬纪

    送葬纪

    外星生物侵略地球,神仙出手相救,黎南站在冰冷宇宙,弹指间时间长河倒流,生命无尽轮回,神死了,妖灭了,佛葬了,黎南躺在自己凿制的棺材里闭上了眼,又睁开了眼,黑暗。一朵花盛开,生命跟着绽放,一片叶零落,日月星辰黯然失色。