"To my fair daughter-in-law," said the earl, touching3 his glass with his lips and bowing to Lorelie, who returned the greeting but coldly. The space of twenty-four hours had not reconciled her any the more to his presence.
"Do you know that old Lanfranc is dead?" remarked Ivar, addressing his father.
"No. Where did you learn that?"
"May one ask who Lanfranc is?" said Lorelie.
"Sir George Lanfranc," replied the earl, "is——"
"Was," corrected Ivar.
"Our family solicitor," continued the earl, with a frown—he hated to be corrected—"and one of the privileged four admitted to the knowledge of our secret funeral vault6."
"Ivar and I, as a matter of course: and the Rector of Ormsby."
"I think I could name a fifth," murmured Lorelie to herself.
For, on the day prior to her coming to Ravenhall she had chanced to meet with Godfrey, and, moved by a[Pg 278] sudden impulse, he had told her how he had followed Ivar to the crypt and what had happened there, not omitting Lord Walden's utterance9 that it was done on Lorelie's account. The story was a complete revelation to her, and, while thanking Godfrey for his communication, she determined10 to discover the meaning of the strange affair with which Ivar had associated her name. A favourable11 opportunity seemed now to present itself, and she resolved to essay a bold stroke.
"We shall have to choose some one to supply Lanfranc's place," said the earl, turning to his son.
"Permit me to offer myself," suggested Lorelie.
"Ladies have never been admitted to that vault," he replied. "In that respect it resembles the Baptist's Chapel13 in the Genoese Cathedral."
"But that chapel is open to ladies on one day in the year," replied Lorelie. "Therefore, your parallel will not hold."
"Are you really serious in making this suggestion?" asked the earl.
"What is your reason?"
"You don't require reason from a woman," she replied. "It would be hard for me to give my reason. Curiosity, mainly: the desire of seeing what no other woman has seen, or ever will see."
"That gives quite a romantic charm to the adventure," Lorelie replied.
The earl sat silent for a moment as if weighing the matter, and then cast at his son a look which seemed to[Pg 279] convey a silent suggestion, a suggestion that appeared to meet with tacit acceptance from the other.
"There is really no reason why we should not admit you to the vault," he remarked. "Better one of the family than an outsider. And you are one of us now," he added with a sigh, as though the fact were much to be regretted. "You shall be one of the privileged four, if you desire it. When would you like to pay your first visit?"
"Humph!" replied the earl, thoughtfully. "Suppose we say to-night. The late hour will enable us the better to escape the prying21 eyes of the servants. You consent? Good! Then we will meet in this dining-hall a little before twelve to-night. But—not a whisper of this to any one. Let the matter be kept secret."
Lorelie rose and sought the retirement22 of her own room, not without wonder that the earl should accept her strange proposal almost as soon as he heard it. Then, as she recalled the curious look he had cast at Ivar, together with his injunction to observe secrecy23 respecting the intended visit, there swept over her a sudden wave of cold feeling induced by a thought so dreadful that she could scarcely bring herself to entertain it. But the idea would persist in stamping itself in letters of fire upon her mind.
"I know he hates me!" she gasped24. "I saw that in his eyes when he first heard my name. I know he hates me, but—my God! to such an extent as that! Is he afraid that the daughter will seek to avenge25 her father? And will he get Ivar to consent?"
While she was occupied with these terrible misgivings26 her husband came slouching in. He seated himself on a chair and regarded her for a moment with a strange expression that set her trembling.
[Pg 280]
"So you've quite made up your mind to visit the vault?"
She assented27 with a nod, not daring to trust herself to speak. Her heart was beating like a steam-hammer; faint murmurs28 were ringing in her ears; she seemed to see Ivar as through a mist.
"Bah! you lack the courage. You will be crying off from the venture before the night comes."
His sneer29 roused her spirit, and she spoke in a low tone, striving to control the tremors30 of her voice.
"I will not cry off: no," she added, emphasizing her words, as if to fix his attention, "not if it should end in my death."
Ivar started and glanced suspiciously at her.
Suddenly Lorelie rose, and walking to an oak-press produced a small piece of faded black velvet31 fringed on one edge with silver lace. Sitting down with needle and thread she proceeded with deft32 fingers to manipulate this velvet into a sort of ornamental33 bow, without cutting the fabric34 or in any way diminishing its original size.
Her husband moodily35 watched her, wondering why she should form a dress-ornament from such faded stuff and why she should select this particular juncture36 for making it.
"Merely a bow," she answered, extending the half-finished article towards him. "Of what do you suppose this velvet once formed part?"
"I commend your discernment. You are not far wrong."
"Perhaps you will enlighten me," he asked, scowling39, as he noticed her air of satisfaction at his perplexity.
[Pg 281]
"It is not the first time you have seen this velvet and its parent fabric," said Lorelie.
Approaching a mirror she held the bow against the neck-band of her dress.
"I shall wear this bow to-night. True, it does not look very pretty, yet it may serve as a talisman40, and——"
But on looking up she found that Ivar was gone. The velvet dropped to the carpet, and she clasped her hands.
"They mean it," she murmured. "I can read it in Ivar's guilty manner—half-resolve, half-fear: letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would.' My God! But I will go through with it. I will put their base courage to the test."
Her first fears had vanished, leaving her hard and firm as steel. The spirit that loves danger for its own sake, the spirit derived41 from her Corsican ancestors, began to reawake in the breast of their nineteenth-century descendant.
At six in the evening Lorelie, who had spent the afternoon in arranging her plan of action, stole quietly to her bedroom, having told the butler she would not come down to dinner.
"I must sleep," she murmured, "that my faculties43 may be fresh and unimpaired for to-night's work."
Her first care was to lock and bolt the door that opened upon the corridor, and next that communicating with Ivar's bedroom. She paid considerable attention to these doors, as well as to the fastenings of the windows. A traveller putting up for the night at some lonely and suspicious hostelry could not have shown more caution. Thus secured from intrusion she laid herself down, dressed as she was, upon the bed. But fully20 two hours elapsed ere she succeeded in falling asleep.
When she awoke she found herself shivering with cold and in total darkness. For a few moments she lay[Pg 282] dreamily conscious that some ordeal44 awaited her, but unable at first to recall what it was. Then memory revived. The visit to the vault! Yes! that was it; and the thought made her pulses quicken.
"So late! They will begin to think that I am not coming."
Fastening the velvet bow to the neck-band of her dress she unlocked the chamber47-door and walked out into the corridor. A deep silence reigned49 throughout the mansion50, a silence that to her imagination had something awesome51 in it. It seemed like the prelude52 to a tragedy. With a firm step she descended53 the staircase and made her way to the dining-hall, where a murmur8 of voices told her that the earl and Ivar were awaiting her.
Their conversation ceased upon her entrance, and both looked up, Ivar seeming somewhat perturbed54 in spirit, the earl smiling and evidently pleased that she had come.
"We were just discussing the probability of your appearing," said he. "Ivar was confident that you would cry off from the business. And, certainly, a coffin55-vault is not a very cheerful place."
"It is not the dead one has to fear," replied Lorelie, "but the living."
"Your wife has more courage than you gave her credit for, Ivar," remarked the earl approvingly. "If you will carry the lamp I will give her my arm."
They set forward from the dining-hall, the earl going first, Ivar a model of ill-grace walking beside Lorelie. He did not speak, but glanced curiously57 at her from time to time.
[Pg 283]
The expedition was so strange, so unlike anything she had ever known before, that Lorelie began to wonder whether the whole scene was not a dream. It was difficult to believe that the earl, so smiling and courteous58, could really entertain the black design of which she suspected him.
At the end of the Picture Gallery they reached that little lumber-room which Godfrey Rothwell had so long hesitated to enter on that memorable59 night when tracking Ivar to the vault. Making his way to the hearth60 the earl stood in the wide space beneath the mantel, and lifting his hand within the chimney he touched what Lorelie judged was a hidden spring, for his action was immediately followed by a faint creaking of pulleys and ropes, and then the perpendicular61 slab62 forming one side of the fireplace began slowly to descend42, revealing behind it an empty space.
"The secret way to our crypt," remarked the earl.
He passed through the entrance. Ivar, who had not spoken one word since leaving the dining-hall, followed. Lorelie went last.
She looked about her. The light carried by Ivar faintly illumined the place. She was standing63 in a narrow passage, paved, walled, and roofed, with stone. Its length could not be ascertained64 by the eye, for it stretched away indefinitely in the gloom.
The earl began to manipulate the machinery65, and the stone slab slowly ascended66 till its lower end rested upon the hearth again. Lorelie, attentive67 to his action, grasped with quick eye the principle of the mechanism68. Such knowledge would be useful in the event of her having to return alone.
All communication with the outer world was now cut off. She was completely at the mercy of the two men, and though this was only what she had foreseen, yet none[Pg 284] the less the sudden realization69 of the fact caused a certain chilling of her high courage.
The order of their march was now changed: they walked abreast70: Lorelie in the centre, the earl on her right, Ivar, still silent, on her left.
Though apparently71 staring about with interest and curiosity Lorelie in reality never took her eyes from the earl. It might have been simply the effect of the flickering72 light, but in her opinion his face had an exultant73 and sinister74 expression. She became more than ever on her guard, and any sudden movement on his part caused her right hand to seek her dress pocket in which a loaded revolver lay concealed75.
A steep descent of stone steps now yawned in front of them. With her left hand Lorelie drew her dainty skirts around her, and glanced in disgust at the black slimy ooze77 and the patches of fungous growth.
"These stairs look slippery," she murmured.
"A former lord of Ormsby broke his neck down these very steps," remarked the earl.
"I have no wish to imitate his feat," said Lorelie, drawing back a little. "Do you go first. If I slip I shall be but a light weight, whereas if you should fall upon me," she added, with a shrug15 of her shoulders, "there is no knowing what might happen."
The earl gave her a suspicious look as if detecting a hidden meaning in her words: then, compliant78 with her wish, he led the way down the steps. Lorelie came last, feeling more at ease in being at the rear.
The stairs terminated in the flagged flooring of another long passage, at the end of which was the crypt.
As Lorelie entered she could not repress a shiver, the atmosphere of the place striking her senses with a damp chilling effect.
Ivar, by aid of the light he had carried, proceeded to[Pg 285] kindle79 the lamp pendent from the roof, and every object in the chamber became clearly visible.
At a glance Lorelie took in the whole scene—the octagonal crypt, the black velvet curtains draping the alcoves80, the massive oak table, and the four antique carved chairs: everything just as Godfrey had described it.
As her eye fell upon the silver lace edging the lower end of a curtain adjacent to the door, her face expressed satisfaction, a satisfaction that became instantly lost in a very different feeling: for there, on the floor by one of the alcoves, was a chest of cypress82 wood, an object she readily identified as the reliquary that had figured so conspicuously83 in Godfrey's narration84. The lid stood erect85 and she noticed that the contents consisted of a whitish powder.
"Quicklime!" she murmured with a cold thrill.
On the table stood a decanter partly filled with wine, and beside it some glasses. Observant of everything Lorelie saw that though the smooth surface of the table was overlaid with a coating of dust, the display of glass exhibited not a trace of it; evidently the wine was of recent introduction—perhaps placed there specially87 for her use.
"What! you have wine here? Pour me out a glass, Ivar."
Speaking in the tone of a woman who suspects nothing she reclined in her seat in a graceful88 attitude, extending a glass towards Ivar, and watching him keenly from beneath the lashes89 of her half-closed eyes. Her husband, his face as white as a ghost's, filled her glass, and setting down the decanter, breathed hard. The earl looked on with seeming indifference90.
[Pg 286]
With steady motion Lorelie lifted the glass, taking a longer time over the action than was necessary, as if even the foretaste of drinking were a pleasure not to be curtailed91. Ivar was watching her with an expression the like of which she had never before seen on his face.
Her lips touched the edge of the glass, and there rested a moment: and then, without having tasted the wine, she raised the glass and held it between her half-closed eyes and the lamp above, an action that displayed to the full the beauty of her rounded arm and bust92.
"How bright and clear it is!" she murmured, in a softly modulated93 voice. "By the way," she added, suddenly opening her eyes wide, "what wine do you call this?"
"A choice vintage. Malvazia, one of the rarest of the Madeiras," replied the earl.
"O-oh!" she murmured, pouting95. "A pity—that! I cannot bear Malvazia: it always gives me the headache. I must refrain from drinking.—And yet," she added, inhaling96 the fragrance97, "the bouquet98 is tempting99."
She toyed a moment or two with the glass, as if about to drink, but finally set it down upon the table, glancing at the two men with a silvery laugh. Her radiant air contrasted strangely with the sombre spirit which seemed to enwrap both of them.
"This is a very pretty chamber," she said, poising100 her head upon her hands, and affecting to survey the crypt with interest. "Nothing very terrible about it, after all. I might have spared myself the letter to Dr. Rothwell."
"What is that?" said the earl, with a quick nervous start.
"Peccavi! I have done very wrong, I admit," said[Pg 287] Lorelie, with a sweet smile. "I have ventured to disobey your command that I should tell nobody of this, our midnight adventure: for, as one never knows what may happen when visiting the haunts of the dead, I could not refrain from communicating with Dr. Rothwell on the matter. He is aware of this visit of ours to the crypt. Commend my wisdom, my lord, in thus taking precautions to secure our safe return."
Never did human countenance101 change so quickly as did that of the earl at these words. He glanced at Ivar. Dismay was reflected in the eyes of each.
"Here is the note I received from him this afternoon," continued Lorelie imperturbably102, drawing forth103 the communication and tossing it carelessly upon the table. "You observe his words. 'Dear Lady Walden, I give you my promise that if I do not meet you at the porch of Ravenhall to-morrow morning at eight, I will come and seek you in the vault."
"Not at all. Dr. Rothwell knows his way to this crypt as well as you or Ivar. He made a secret visit here on April the tenth of this year, the night on which Ivar returned home from the continent."
"Godfrey was at Ravenhall that night," muttered the viscount uneasily.
"He was here—in this vault, I repeat, at three in the morning. And the scene he witnessed was past belief. It would do you good, Ivar, to listen to his story. It would really interest you; you, perhaps, more than any other person."
It is no exaggeration to say that at these words Ivar became green with fear. He turned his head from the earl in order to conceal76 his agitation105. The secret which he had believed to be locked within his own breast was[Pg 288] known to others—was being hinted at in the presence of his father, the very person from whom he most desired to conceal it. How much did Lorelie know? What would she be saying next? Words, perhaps, that would bring him to ruin.
"Ivar, I see, is persuaded of the truth of my statement. You are more sceptical, my lord, but you shall be convinced."
She detached the velvet bow from her neckband and flung it lightly beside Godfrey's note.
"Cut the threads of that; unfold the velvet, and you will find that its shape corresponds exactly with the little rent at the foot of that curtain. It was Dr. Rothwell who cut off this piece of velvet, bringing it away with him to prove—if proof should ever be required—that he has stood in the secret crypt of the Ravengars. Do you still doubt me, my lord, or do you require further proof?"
On the contrary he was so certain of the truth of her words that he did not attempt to verify them, but stood, fingering the velvet bow with a dark expression of countenance.
Looking upon Lorelie as an enemy to be silenced at all costs he had brought her to this vault intending that she should never leave it. Ivar was a reluctant accomplice106, his reluctance107 arising not from any conscientious108 scruples109, but from the dangerous consequences attending the commission of such a deed. The disappearance110 of the new viscountess on the second day of her coming to Ravenhall would be an event that could not fail to bring suspicion and inquiry111 in its train.
Lorelie had divined their plot, and having taken steps for its frustration112, had fearlessly accompanied them to the destined113 scene of her death. And here she was, a slender, fragile woman, in a lonely situation, with no one to hear[Pg 289] her cry for help, in the presence of two men desirous of her death, and yet, thanks to her forethought, as safe as if attended by an armed escort.
Her calm air, her radiant beauty, added fuel to the earl's secret rage. If he had followed his first impulse he would have seized her in his arms and twining his fingers around her throat have silenced her forever. But prudence114 compelled him to refrain from violence. The thought of having to face on the morrow the stern inquiring eyes of Godfrey acted as a potent115 check.
Fortunately for himself he had not proceeded to the length of openly avowing116 his awful purpose: he was therefore free to deny it, if she had any suspicion, as he was strongly disposed to believe that she had. Besides, what mattered her suspicion? She had no real proof to offer the world. Opposed to her single testimony117 was the joint118 testimony of himself and her husband.
He began to breathe freely again. The matter might yet end well as regarded his own safety—the only consideration that troubled him.
Lorelie, knowing the cause of his mortification119, sat at ease in her chair, secretly enjoying her triumph.
"How silent you are! Are you going to let me depart from this vault without enlightening me as to its mysteries? Come, Ivar, play the part of cicerone. Draw aside the curtain from each alcove81, and give me the names and biographies of the coffined121 dead. I am in an historic genealogic mood."
Ivar, not knowing whether to obey, glanced irresolutely122 at his father.
"Gratify the curious fool," the earl muttered moodily.
With an ill grace at having to obey the wife whom he hated, and troubled by a secret foreboding that his guilty secret was about to transpire123, Ivar approached the alcove[Pg 290] nearest the door, and, lifting the velvet drapery, disclosed a deep recess124, the walls of which were pierced with niches125 containing coffins126.
"This," he remarked sullenly127, touching one, "is the coffin of Lancelot Ravengar, the first earl of Ormsby."
And so he proceeded from one alcove to another, giving the names of the dead peers, his amiability128 not improved by the caustic129 remarks made by Lorelie.
"A dull catalogue of nonentities130, unknown to fame," she said, when Ivar had finished his recital131. "But I observed that you entirely132 passed over the fourth alcove. Why? Raise the curtain and let me see what it contains."
With manifest reluctance the viscount lifted the drapery, revealing in the alcove a coffin on trestles.
"This is the coffin of Urien Ravengar, my grandfather."
"In saying that, you of course mean simply that that is the name on the plate."
"That coffin," broke in the earl in a harsh voice, "contains the body of my father, Urien Ravengar."
"I do not think so," replied Lorelie quietly.
"Fool! what have you been telling this woman?"
"I? Nothing!" replied the viscount, shrinking back. And seeing disbelief expressed on his father's face, he added, "Ask her: if she speak truth she will tell you that nothing relating to this coffin has passed my lips."
"Then how—how?" began the earl: then, breaking off abruptly134, he turned to Lorelie with the question: "Tell me, then, what this coffin does contain?"
"That is what I wish to learn," she replied coolly. "It is my chief reason for visiting this vault."
"You will remain in ignorance."
[Pg 291]
"I shall depart enlightened. Was it not from that coffin, Ivar," she said, turning to him, "that you took the golden vase you gave me some time ago?"
She was drawing a bow at a venture, but the arrow found its mark. The sweat glistened135 on Ivar's forehead. He betrayed all the confusion of a guilty person. His father eyed him suspiciously.
"A golden vase!" he exclaimed with a bitter smile. "Ivar, I must look into that coffin!"
Thus speaking he made his way to the alcove where the viscount was standing. Moved by curiosity Lorelie also drew near.
"Take the screwdriver136, and remove the lid," said Lord Ormsby in a stern voice.
Sullenly and mutely Ivar proceeded to do his father's bidding.
No one spoke, and nothing disturbed the stillness save the crisp revolution of the screwdriver. With folded arms and compressed lips the earl stood looking on, an expression on his face that boded137 ill for his son should he find his suspicion verified.
The last screw was loosed, and as Ivar raised the lid Lorelie's eyes instantly closed, dazzled by a thousand rays of many-coloured light, shooting up in all directions from the coffin, like bright spirits rejoicing to be free.
Putting up her hand to shield her sight from the radiance she endeavoured to obtain a clear idea of what was before her.
The coffin, of more than ordinary size, was a veritable treasure-chest, filled to the lid with plate and precious stones, the latter forming by far the larger part of the contents.
Forgetful of her aversion to the earl, forgetful of her recent peril138, forgetful of everything but the sight before[Pg 292] her, Lorelie stood with parted lips and dilated139 eyes, spellbound by the glittering array of wealth. Her knowledge of art taught her that the antiquity140 and workmanship of the ornaments141 far exceeded the intrinsic value of the materials composing them. There was a crucifix, formed from one entire piece of amber48, the plunder142 of some Saxon monastery143: an ivory drinking-horn, engraved144 with runic letters, that spoke of the old Norseland: a golden lamp, inscribed145 with a verse from the Koran, a relic146 of Moorish147 rule in Spain: rare coins, that had found their way from the Byzantine treasury148. Every part of medi?val Europe had apparently contributed some memorial to this store.
But, as previously149 stated, the quantity of plate was small in comparison with the gems150. It was these that riveted152 Lorelie's attention. Never in any collection of crown-jewels had she seen the equal of these stones for variety and size, for brilliance153 and beauty. The richest caliph of the East might have envied the possessor of such a store. It suggested a dream of the "Arabian Nights."
"Ah! you may well gaze!" cried the earl to Lorelie, in a fierce exultant tone. "Find me the man in Britain who owns such wealth as this! Take every object out of the coffin," he continued, addressing Ivar. "Lay each and all upon the table. Let Lady Walden handle them that she may realize the wealthy match she has made."
Lorelie quite understood the earl's motive154 in making this display. Since he could not get rid of her, his only other policy was to conciliate her. She smiled disdainfully to herself. It was not to her interest, however, to quarrel with him at present: she must simulate friendly relations till the purpose for which she had come to Ravenhall should be accomplished155.
[Pg 293]
"Yes, let me see everything," she said in seeming eagerness.
Drawing the table to the entrance of the alcove Ivar proceeded to empty the coffin of its contents. During this operation Lorelie's surprise rose almost to fever-heat at sight of some of the objects drawn156 forth.
When the coffin had been emptied, the earl produced a pocketbook containing a list of the treasures.
The viscount handed a vase to his father.
"Safe, I see," said the earl. "I have been unjust to you in thought, Ivar," he continued, apologetically. "When your wife spoke of a golden vase given her by you, my thoughts associated themselves with this. I acknowledge my error."
Ivar cast an anxious look at Lorelie, dreading158 lest her words should lead to the betrayal of his secret. But Lorelie said nothing, though in a state of extreme amazement159 and perplexity: for the jewelled vessel160 now in the earl's hands seemed to be the very vase given to her by Ivar some weeks previously—the vase that had played so important a part in her hypnotic experiment with Beatrice.
On coming to Ravenhall Lorelie had left it behind her at The Cedars161: how came it to be here in the vault of the Ravengars? Was it a replica162? If so, it was certainly a marvellous imitation of the original, since she could detect no points of difference.
"Observe the lustre163 of the opals," said the earl, his eyes gleaming with pleasure; and Lorelie perceived that his love of study, great though it might be, had not quenched164 in him the passion of avarice165. "An interesting and precious relic of Norse antiquity, this!" continued the earl, tapping the urn affectionately. "It[Pg 294] contains the ashes of Draco the Golden, the founder166 of our family. From the grey dust within this urn all we Ravengars have sprung."
The vase at The Cedars also held the remains167 of the same Viking, if the story told by Beatrice in her hypnotic trance was to be relied upon. The supposition that the ashes of Orm had been divided between two urns168 seemed absurd: and yet how otherwise was this mystery to be explained, unless indeed Ivar, unknown to her, had paid a visit to The Cedars, and having obtained the vase, had restored it to the place whence he had originally taken it. Unlikely as this last hypothesis might be, it seemed the only one capable of meeting the requirements of the case.
The earl, having carefully deposited the urn in one corner of the coffin, referred again to his catalogue.
"'Article 2. Norse altar-ring of pure silver, inscribed with runic characters.' Yes, this is it," he continued, receiving the article from Ivar's hand. "The ring of Odin, that figures in our armorial shield. Many a legend of blood clings to this relic. What a history it could unfold, were it but endowed with speech!"
The golden vase had puzzled Lorelie, but this silver relic puzzled her still more. She did not doubt that the object before her was the identical ring, the non-production of which at the trial of Eric Marville, was one of the points that had told against him. She knew the story of its theft from Mrs. Breakspear, and, like Idris, knew not whither it had vanished. Now, after all these years, it thus reappeared! By what circuitous169 route, through how many bloodstained hands, had it passed before regaining170 its ancient abode171?
Mechanically she took the ring from the earl's hand. If this were indeed the very relic, there should be a black mark upon the inner perimeter172 of the ring. Upon [Pg 295]examining it, however, she could discover no stain at all: the metal band was bright and unsullied.
Was this ring, like the vase, a replica: or was there truth in the ancient legend that the bloodstain would vanish when some one should meet with a violent end as an atonement for the slaying173 of the Norse herald174? Certain it was that a death had occurred in connection with the finding of the treasure.
With a bewildered air she handed back the ring to the earl, who placed it within the coffin beside the vase, and turned again to his list.
"'Article 3. A sapphire175 drinking-cup. Weight'—ah! look at this!" he cried, breaking off from his reading in an ecstasy176 of delight. "Look at it! Handle it! Admire it! Can the Dresden Gallery produce its like?"
A low and prolonged cry of admiration177 flowed from Lorelie's lips. The object handed to her by the earl was a miniature goblet178, the tiny bowl, stem, and stand being delicately sculptured from one entire sapphire. It was a work of art, as well as a splendid gem151. With the delight of a child over a new toy Lorelie raised the gleaming brilliant aloft, placing it between her eye and the light in order to mark its lovely azure179 transparency. Its beauty was such as almost to reconcile her to her lot with Ivar. To think if she chose, she might in time to come be the joint-possessor of such a gem!
"A million of money would not buy that cup," cried the earl, watching her look of admiration. "It belonged originally to the great Caliph, Abderahman the Second, and was taken by Draco and his Vikings at the sacking of the Moorish palace at Seville. It vanished from human ken45, and has lain hidden in a night of ten centuries. The lapidaries180 of the present age scoff181 at its description in history, believing the gem to be the creation of Arabian fancy: but here it is, existing to-day, to confute[Pg 296] their shallow scepticism. Were this gem known to the world it would take the title of 'The Queen of Sapphires182.'"
Charmed beyond the power of words to describe, Lorelie turned the cup slowly round, flashing the light from a hundred facets183: and then—and then—she made a discovery. A minute air-bubble was faintly visible in the crystalline azure!
She glanced at the earl. His triumphant184 face showed that he had not the least inkling of the truth. She looked at Ivar, who happened at this moment to be standing behind his father. The sudden change in Lorelie's countenance assured the viscount of the fact of her discovery: and now, he, the coward who had been willing to take her life, was appealing to her by gesture and expression to keep her knowledge a secret from his father.
For that which gave the earl such pride was in truth nothing but an artificial gem, a marvellous imitation of the real thing, but still merely a piece of coloured glass!
Lorelie became more perplexed185 than ever at this discovery. How came Ivar to know that the gem was false, and why was he so anxious to conceal the truth from his father?
Then in a moment everything became clear.
Always pressed for money, and precluded186 by his father's parsimony187 from obtaining it, Ivar had formed the plan of appropriating a certain portion of the plate and gems contained in the coffin. To secure himself from detection he had artfully replaced the originals by clever facsimiles, fabricated on the continent by goldsmiths and glass-workers of the class who would ask no inconvenient188 questions provided that they were well paid for their work. To obtain the necessary counterfeits189 Ivar[Pg 297] must have conveyed the originals to the continent, a very hazardous190 thing to do, seeing that if the earl had paid a visit of inspection191 to the treasure during his son's absence, discovery would have been inevitable192. The counterfeits being completed, Ivar had brought them concealed in the reliquary to Ravenhall, and had transferred them to the coffin, his remark while doing so—the remark overheard by Godfrey—to wit, "I hope Lorelie will be satisfied," being doubtless drawn from him by the fact that Lorelie was often making monetary193 demands upon him, a fact which she herself would be the first to admit, though she little dreamed of the means taken by him to supply her costly194 tastes. She could not avoid the feeling that, to some extent, she was responsible for Ivar's peculations: and, therefore, compliant with his wish, she kept silent, and permitted the earl to remain in his ignorance.
The contents of the coffin were a mixture of the genuine and the spurious. The altar-ring was the genuine article: it would not have paid for the trouble of counterfeiting195. The jewelled vase was spurious: on glancing again at this last, Lorelie wondered how she could have taken the metal for gold: it now seemed to her eyes merely like common bronze. The "sapphire cup" was but worthless glass: she almost sighed at the thought that the lovely original should have been exchanged for current coin of the realm. The selling of such a gem was an act little short of sacrilege.
"Well may you linger over it!" cried the earl, thinking that her long retention196 of the cup was the result of admiration. "Such a gem as that is too lovely for earth, too precious even for an empress to drink from."
"But not for a Ravengar, surely?" said Lorelie.
And taking up the decanter she filled the azure cup with wine, and held it out to him.
[Pg 298]
"Drink, my lord," she said smiling, and recalling his own words, "''Tis of a choice vintage, one of the rarest of the Madeiras.'"
"Why, you start as though 'twere poison," laughed Lorelie. "Will you not drink, Ivar?" she added, turning to the viscount and offering him the cup. "What! and do you, too, shrink from a few drops of innocent Malvazia? refuse the honour of drinking from the great Abderahman's cup? the caliph's own, veritable, genuine, historic cup! you understand?"
He did—fully. Stepping forward, she said in a fierce thrilling whisper:—
"How much is your life worth, if I let your father know that this cup is but a piece of coloured glass?"
It was not in Lorelie's nature to take pleasure in another's pain; yet on the present occasion the despair and fear expressed in Ivar's eyes was a luxury to her, almost compensating198 for his attempt on her life.
"It was for your sake I did it," he muttered with white lips.
Contemptuously turning away from him, she said:—
"Well, then, if neither will drink, I, too, shall refuse. I will imitate those excellent examples, my husband and father. Let us be classical and pour out a libation. Here's to the great Archfiend himself, the author and giver of the treasure, for Heaven, I am convinced, has had little to do with it."
She inverted199 the cup: but, either by accident or design, the greater part of the liquid fell in splashes upon her dress, very few drops reaching the floor.
* * * * * *
On reaching her bedroom Lorelie's first care was to lock the door: her next, to cut from her dress every [Pg 299]portion stained with wine. These fragments of cloth she placed in a glass phial, steeping them in water. Then the spirit that had sustained her through the long and terrible ordeal gave way, and reeling forward she fell heavily across the bed.
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1
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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2
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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3
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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4
urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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obituary
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| n.讣告，死亡公告；adj.死亡的 | |
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6
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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7
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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9
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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10
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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13
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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14
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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15
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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16
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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17
initiated
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| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
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18
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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19
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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20
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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21
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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22
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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23
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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24
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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25
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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26
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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27
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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29
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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30
tremors
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| 震颤( tremor的名词复数 )； 战栗； 震颤声； 大地的轻微震动 | |
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31
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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32
deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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33
ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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34
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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35
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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36
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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37
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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38
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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39
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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40
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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41
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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42
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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43
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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44
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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45
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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46
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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47
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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48
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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49
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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50
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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51
awesome
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| adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的 | |
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52
prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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53
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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54
perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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56
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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58
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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59
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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60
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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61
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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62
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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63
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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64
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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66
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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68
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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69
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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70
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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71
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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72
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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73
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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74
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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75
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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76
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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77
ooze
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| n.软泥，渗出物；vi.渗出，泄漏；vt.慢慢渗出，流露 | |
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78
compliant
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| adj.服从的，顺从的 | |
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79
kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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80
alcoves
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| n.凹室( alcove的名词复数 )；（花园）凉亭；僻静处；壁龛 | |
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81
alcove
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| n.凹室 | |
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82
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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83
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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84
narration
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| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
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85
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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86
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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87
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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88
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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89
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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90
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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91
curtailed
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| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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92
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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93
modulated
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| 已调整[制]的，被调的 | |
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94
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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95
pouting
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| v.撅（嘴）( pout的现在分词 ) | |
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96
inhaling
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| v.吸入( inhale的现在分词 ) | |
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97
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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98
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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99
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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100
poising
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| 使平衡( poise的现在分词 )； 保持（某种姿势）； 抓紧； 使稳定 | |
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101
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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102
imperturbably
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| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
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103
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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104
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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106
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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107
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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108
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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109
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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110
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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111
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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112
frustration
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| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
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113
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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114
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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115
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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116
avowing
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| v.公开声明，承认( avow的现在分词 ) | |
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117
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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118
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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119
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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120
feigning
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| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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121
coffined
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| vt.收殓（coffin的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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122
irresolutely
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| adv.优柔寡断地 | |
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123
transpire
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| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
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124
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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125
niches
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| 壁龛( niche的名词复数 )； 合适的位置[工作等]； （产品的）商机； 生态位（一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位） | |
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126
coffins
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| n.棺材( coffin的名词复数 )；使某人早亡[死，完蛋，垮台等]之物 | |
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127
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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128
amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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129
caustic
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| adj.刻薄的，腐蚀性的 | |
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130
nonentities
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| n.无足轻重的人( nonentity的名词复数 )；蝼蚁 | |
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131
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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132
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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133
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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134
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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135
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
screwdriver
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| n.螺丝起子；伏特加橙汁鸡尾酒 | |
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137
boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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138
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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139
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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141
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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142
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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143
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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144
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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145
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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146
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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147
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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148
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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149
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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150
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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151
gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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152
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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153
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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154
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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155
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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156
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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157
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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158
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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159
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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160
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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161
cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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162
replica
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| n.复制品 | |
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163
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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164
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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165
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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166
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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167
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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168
urns
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| n.壶( urn的名词复数 )；瓮；缸；骨灰瓮 | |
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169
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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170
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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171
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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172
perimeter
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| n.周边，周长，周界 | |
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173
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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174
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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175
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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176
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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177
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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178
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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179
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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180
lapidaries
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| n.宝石匠，玉石雕刻师( lapidary的名词复数 ) | |
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181
scoff
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| n.嘲笑，笑柄，愚弄；v.嘲笑，嘲弄，愚弄，狼吞虎咽 | |
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182
sapphires
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| n.蓝宝石，钢玉宝石( sapphire的名词复数 )；蔚蓝色 | |
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183
facets
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| n.（宝石或首饰的）小平面( facet的名词复数 )；（事物的）面；方面 | |
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184
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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185
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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186
precluded
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| v.阻止( preclude的过去式和过去分词 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
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187
parsimony
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| n.过度节俭，吝啬 | |
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188
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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189
counterfeits
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| v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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190
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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191
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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192
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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193
monetary
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| adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的 | |
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194
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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195
counterfeiting
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| n.伪造v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的现在分词 ) | |
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196
retention
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| n.保留，保持，保持力，记忆力 | |
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197
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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198
compensating
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| 补偿，补助，修正 | |
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199
inverted
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| adj.反向的，倒转的v.使倒置，使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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