Auriol; or, The Elixir of Life
Page 10
CHAPTER IX
THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER
In spite of his resolution to the contrary, Auriol found it impossibleto resist the fascination of Ebba's society, and became a daily visitorat her father's house. Mr. Thorneycroft noticed the growing attachmentbetween them with satisfaction. His great wish was to see his daughterunited to the husband of her choice, and in the hope of smoothing theway, he let Auriol understand that he should give her a considerablemarriage portion.
For the last few days a wonderful alteration had taken place in Auriol'smanner, and he seemed to have shaken off altogether the cloud that hadhitherto sat upon his spirits. Enchanted by the change, Ebba indulged inthe most blissful anticipations of the future.
One evening they walked forth together, and almost unconsciouslydirected their steps towards the river. Lingering on its banks, theygazed on the full tide, admired the glorious sunset, and breathed overand over again those tender nothings so eloquent in lovers' ears.
"Oh! how different you are from what you were a week ago," said Ebbaplayfully. "Promise me not to indulge in any more of those gloomyfancies."
"I will not indulge in them if I can help it, rest assured, sweet Ebba,"he replied. "But my spirits are not always under my control. I amsurprised at my own cheerfulness this evening."
"I never felt so happy," she replied; "and the whole scene is in unisonwith my feelings. How soothing is the calm river flowing at ourfeet!--how tender is the warm sky, still flushed with red, though thesun has set!--And see, yonder hangs the crescent moon. She is in herfirst quarter."
"The moon in her first quarter!" cried Auriol, in a tone of anguish."All then is over."
"What means this sudden change?" cried Ebba, frightened by his looks.
"Oh, Ebba," he replied, "I must leave you. I have allowed myself todream of happiness too long. I am an accursed being, doomed only tobring misery upon those who love me. I warned you on the onset, but youwould not believe me. Let me go, and perhaps it may not yet be too lateto save you."
"Oh no, do not leave me!" cried Ebba. "I have no fear while you are withme."
"But you do not know the terrible fate I am linked to," he said. "Thisis the night when it will be accomplished."
"Your moody fancies do not alarm me as they used to do, dear Auriol,"she rejoined, "because I know them to be the fruit of a diseasedimagination. Come, let us continue our walk," she added, taking his armkindly.
"Ebba," he cried, "I implore you to let me go! I have not the power totear myself away unless you aid me."
"I'm glad to hear it," she rejoined, "for then I shall hold you fast."
"You know not what you do!" cried Auriol. "Release me! oh, release me!"
"In a few moments the fit will be passed," she rejoined. "Let us walktowards the abbey."
"It is in vain to struggle against fate," ejaculated Aurioldespairingly.
And he suffered himself to be led in the direction proposed.
Ebba continued to talk, but her discourse fell upon a deaf ear, and atlast she became silent too. In this way they proceeded along MillbankStreet and Abingdon Street, until, turning off on the right, they foundthemselves before an old and partly-demolished building. By this time ithad become quite dark, for the moon was hidden behind a rack of clouds,but a light was seen in the upper storey of the structure, occasioned,no doubt, by a fire within it, which gave a very picturesque effect tothe broken outline of the walls.
Pausing for a moment to contemplate the ruin, Ebba expressed a wish toenter it. Auriol offered no opposition, and passing through an archeddoorway, and ascending a short, spiral, stone staircase, they presentlyarrived at a roofless chamber, which it was evident, from the implementsand rubbish lying about, was about to be razed to the ground. On oneside there was a large arch, partly bricked up, through which opened anarrow doorway, though at some height from the ground. With this aplank communicated, while beneath it lay a great heap of stones, amongstwhich were some grotesque carved heads. In the centre of the chamber wasa large square opening, like the mouth of a trap-door, from which thetop of a ladder projected, and near it stood a flaming brazier, whichhad cast forth the glare seen from below. Over the ruinous walls on theright hung the crescent moon, now emerged from the cloud, and shedding aghostly glimmer on the scene.
"What a strange place!" cried Ebba, gazing around with someapprehension. "It looks like a spot one reads of in romance. I wonderwhere that trap leads to?"
"Into the vault beneath, no doubt," replied Auriol. "But why did we comehither?"
As he spoke, there was a sound like mocking laughter, but whence arisingit was difficult to say.
"Did you hear that sound?" cried Auriol.
"It was nothing but the echo of laughter from the street," she replied."You alarm yourself without reason, Auriol."
"No, not without reason," he cried. "I am in the power of a terriblebeing, who seeks to destroy you, and I know that he is at hand. Listento me, Ebba, and however strange my recital may appear, do not supposeit the ravings of a madman, but be assured it is the truth."
"Beware!" cried a deep voice, issuing apparently from the depths of thevault.
"Some one spoke," cried Ebba. "I begin to share your apprehensions. Letus quit this place."
"Come, then," said Auriol.
"Not so fast," cried a deep voice.
And they beheld the mysterious owner of the black cloak barring theirpassage out.
"Ebba, you are mine," cried the stranger. "Auriol has brought you tome."
"It is false!" cried Auriol. "I never will yield her to you."
"Remember your compact," rejoined the stranger, with a mocking laugh.
"Oh, Auriol!" cried Ebba, "I fear for your soul. You have not made acompact with this fiend?"
"He has," replied the stranger; "and by that compact you are surrenderedto me."
And, as he spoke, he advanced towards her, and enveloping her in hiscloak, her cries were instantly stifled.
"You shall not go!" cried Auriol, seizing him. "Release her, or Irenounce you wholly."
"Fool!" cried the stranger, "since you provoke my wrath, take yourdoom."
And he stamped on the ground. At this signal an arm was thrust from thetrap-door, and Auriol's hand was seized with an iron grasp.
While this took place, the stranger bore his lovely burden swiftly upthe plank leading to the narrow doorway in the wall, and just as he waspassing through it he pointed towards the sky, and shouted with amocking smile to Auriol--"Behold! the moon is in her first quarter. Mywords are fulfilled!"
And he disappeared.
Auriol tried to disengage himself from the grasp imposed upon him invain. Uttering ejaculations of rage and despair, he was dragged forciblybackwards into the vault.
Seizure of Ebba.]