Auriol; or, The Elixir of Life
Page 16
CHAPTER III
IRRESOLUTION
On returning to the cabinet, where his fatal compact with Rougemont hadbeen signed, Auriol perceived the pocket-book lying on the floor nearthe table, and, taking it up, he was about to deposit it in thewriting-desk, when an irresistible impulse prompted him once more toexamine its contents. Unfolding the roll of notes, he counted them, andfound they amounted to more than a hundred thousand pounds. The sight ofso much wealth, and the thought of the pleasure and the power it wouldprocure him, gradually dispelled his fears, and arising in a transportof delight, he exclaimed--"Yes, yes--all obstacles are now removed! WhenMr. Talbot finds I am become thus wealthy, he will no longer refuse mehis daughter. But I am mad," he added, suddenly checking himself--"worsethan mad, to indulge such hopes. If it be indeed the Fiend to whom Ihave sold myself, I have no help from perdition! If it be man, I amscarcely less terribly fettered. In either case, I will not remain herelonger; nor will I avail myself of this accursed money, which hastempted me to my undoing."
And, hurling the pocket-book to the farther end of the room, he wasabout to pass through the door, when a mocking laugh arrested him. Helooked round with astonishment and dread, but could see no one. After awhile, he again moved forward, but a voice, which he recognised as thatof Rougemont, called upon him to stay.
"It will be in vain to fly," said the unseen speaker. "You cannot escapeme. Whether you remain here or not--whether you use the wealth I havegiven you, or leave it behind you--you cannot annul your bargain. Withthis knowledge, you are at liberty to go. But remember, on the seventhnight from this I shall require Edith Talbot from you!"
"Where are you, fiend?" demanded Auriol, gazing around furiously. "Showyourself, that I may confront you."
A mocking laugh was the only response deigned to this injunction.
"Give me back the compact," cried Auriol imploringly. "It was signed inignorance. I knew not the price I was to pay for your assistance. Wealthis of no value to me without Edith."
"Without wealth you could not obtain her," replied the voice. "You areonly, therefore, where you were. But you will think better of thebargain to-morrow. Meanwhile, I counsel you to place the money you haveso unwisely cast from you safely under lock and key, and to seek repose.You will awaken with very different thoughts in the morning."
"How am I to account for my sudden accession of wealth?" inquiredAuriol, after a pause.
"You a gambler, and ask that question!" returned the unseen stranger,with a bitter laugh. "But I will make your mind easy on that score. Asregards the house, you will find a regular conveyance of it within thatwriting-desk, while the note lying on the table, which bears youraddress, comes from me, and announces the payment of a hundred andtwenty thousand pounds to you, as a debt of honour. You see I haveprovided against every difficulty. And now, farewell!"
The voice was then hushed; and though Auriol addressed several otherquestions to the unseen speaker, no answer was returned him.
After some moments of irresolution, Auriol once more took up thepocket-book, and deposited it in the writing-desk, in which he found, ashe had been led to expect, a deed conveying the house to him. He thenopened the note lying upon the table, and found its contents accordedwith what had just been told him. Placing it with the pocket-book, helocked the writing-desk, exclaiming, "It is useless to strugglefurther--I must yield to fate!"
This done, he went into the adjoining room, and, casting his eyes about,remarked the antique bottle and flagon. The latter was filled to thebrim--how or with what, Auriol paused not to examine; but seizing thecup with desperation, he placed it to his lips, and emptied it at adraught.
A species of intoxication, but pleasing as that produced by opium,presently succeeded. All his fears left him, and in their place thegentlest and most delicious fancies arose. Surrendering himselfdelightedly to their influence, he sank upon a couch, and for some timewas wrapped in a dreamy elysium, imagining himself wandering with EdithTalbot in a lovely garden, redolent of sweets, and vocal with the melodyof birds. Their path led through a grove, in the midst of which was afountain; and they were hastening towards its marble brink, when all atonce Edith uttered a scream, and, starting back, pointed to a largeblack snake lying before her, and upon which she would have trodden thenext moment. Auriol sprang forward and tried to crush the reptile withhis heel; but, avoiding the blow, it coiled around his leg, and plungedits venom teeth into his flesh. The anguish occasioned by the imaginarywound roused him from his slumber, and looking up, he perceived that aservant was in attendance.
Bowing obsequiously, the man inquired whether he had occasion foranything.
"Show me to my bedroom--that is all I require," replied Auriol, scarcelyable to shake off the effect of the vision.
And, getting up, he followed the man, almost mechanically, out of theroom.