In this lamp were
several burners, which cast a lurid light throughout the chamber. Over
it hung a cap equally fantastically fashioned. A dagger, with a richly
wrought hilt, was stuck into the table; and beside it lay a strangely
shaped mask, an open book, an antique inkstand, and a piece of
parchment, on which some characters were inscribed. Opposite these stood
a curiously carved ebony chair. At the lower end of the room, which was slightly elevated above the
rest, hung a large black curtain; and on the step, in the front of it,
were placed two vases of jet. "What is behind that curtain?" shudderingly demanded Ebba of her
companion. "You will see anon," he replied. "Meanwhile, seat yourself on that
chair, and glance at the writing on the scroll." Ebba did not move, but the stranger took her hand, and drew her to the
seat. "Read what is written on that paper," he cried imperiously. Ebba glanced at the document, and a shudder passed over her frame. "By
this," she cried, "I surrender myself, soul and body, to you?" "You do," replied the stranger. "I have committed no crime that can place me within the power of the
Fiend," cried Ebba, falling upon her knees. "I call upon Heaven for
protection! Avaunt!" As the words were uttered, the cap suddenly fell upon the lamp, and the
chamber was buried in profound darkness. Mocking laughter rang in her
ears, succeeded by wailing cries inexpressibly dreadful to hear. Ebba continued to pray fervently for her own deliverance, and for that
of Auriol. In the midst of her supplications she was aroused by strains
of music of the most exquisite sweetness, proceeding apparently from
behind the curtain, and while listening to these sounds she was startled
by a deafening crash as if a large gong had been stricken. The cover of
the lamp was then slowly raised, and the burners blazed forth as before,
while from the two vases in front of the curtain arose clouds of
incense, filling the chamber with stupefying fragrance. Again the gong was stricken, and Ebba looked round towards the curtain. Above each vase towered a gigantic figure, wrapped in a long black
cloak, the lower part of which was concealed by the thick vapour. Hoods,
like the cowls of monks, were drawn over the heads of these grim and
motionless figures; mufflers enveloped their chins, and they wore masks,
from the holes of which gleamed eyes of unearthly brightness. Their
hands were crossed upon their breasts. Between them squatted two other
spectral forms, similarly cloaked, hooded, and masked, with their
gleaming eyes fixed upon her, and their skinny fingers pointed
derisively at her. Behind the curtain was placed a strong light, which showed a wide
staircase of black marble, leading to some upper chamber, and at the
same time threw the reflection of a gigantic figure upon the drapery,
while a hand, the finger of which pointed towards her, was thrust from
an opening between its folds. Forcibly averting her gaze, Ebba covered her eyes with her hands, but
looking up again after a brief space, beheld an ebon door at the side
revolve upon its hinges, and give entrance to three female figures,
robed in black, hooded and veiled, and having their hands folded, in a
melancholy manner, across their breasts. Slowly and noiselessly
advancing, they halted within a few paces of her. "Who and what are ye?" she cried, wild with terror. "The victims of Auriol!" replied the figure on the right. "As we are,
such will you be ere long." "What crime have you committed?" demanded Ebba. "We have loved him," replied the second figure. [Illustration: The Chamber of Mystery.] "Is that a crime?" cried Ebba. "If so, I am equally culpable with you." "You will share our doom," replied the third figure. "Heaven have mercy upon me!" exclaimed the agonised girl, dropping upon
her knees. At this moment a terrible voice from behind the curtain exclaimed,
"Sign, or Auriol is lost for ever." "I cannot yield my soul, even to save him," cried Ebba distractedly. "Witness his chastisement, then," cried the voice. And as the words were uttered, a side door was opened on the opposite
side, and Auriol was dragged forth from it by two masked personages, who
looked like familiars of the Inquisition. "Do not yield to the demands of this fiend, Ebba!" cried Auriol, gazing
at her distractedly. "Will you save him before he is cast, living, into the tomb?" cried the
voice. And at the words, a heavy slab of marble rose slowly from the floor near
where Ebba sat, and disclosed a dark pit beneath. Ebba gazed into the abyss with indescribable terror. "There he will be immured, unless you sign," cried the voice; "and, as
he is immortal, he will endure an eternity of torture." "I cannot save him so, but I may precede him," cried Ebba. And throwing
her hands aloft, she flung herself into the pit. A fearful cry resounded through the chamber. It broke from Auriol, who
vainly strove to burst from those who held him, and precipitate himself
after Ebba. Soon after this, and while Auriol was gazing into the abyss, a tongue of
blue flame arose from it, danced for a moment in the air, and then
vanished. No sooner was it gone than a figure, shrouded in black
habiliments, and hooded and muffled up like the three other female
forms, slowly ascended from the vault, apparently without support, and
remained motionless at its brink. "Ebba!" exclaimed Auriol, in a voice of despair. "Is it you?" The figure bowed its head, but spoke not. "Sign!" thundered the voice. "Your attempt at self-destruction has
placed you wholly in my power. Sign!" At this injunction, the figure moved slowly towards the table, and to
his unspeakable horror, Auriol beheld it take up the pen and write upon
the parchment. He bent forward, and saw that the name inscribed thereon
was EBBA THORNEYCROFT. The groan to which he gave utterance was echoed by a roar of diabolical
laughter. The figure then moved slowly away, and ranged itself with the other
veiled forms. "All is accomplished," cried the voice. "Away with him!" On this, a terrible clangour was heard; the lights were extinguished;
and Auriol was dragged through the doorway from which he had been
brought forth. END OF THE FIRST BOOK




INTERMEAN

1800




CHAPTER I

THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN


On the night of the 1st of March 1800, and at a late hour, a man,
wrapped in a large horseman's cloak, and of strange and sinister
appearance, entered an old deserted house in the neighbourhood of
Stepney Green. He was tall, carried himself very erect, and seemed in
the full vigour of early manhood; but his features had a worn and
ghastly look, as if bearing the stamp of long-indulged and frightful
excesses, while his dark gleaming eyes gave him an expression almost
diabolical. This person had gained the house from a garden behind it, and now stood
in a large dismantled hall, from which a broad oaken staircase, with
curiously-carved banisters, led to a gallery, and thence to the upper
chambers of the habitation.