J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 3

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e nothing-where signs of coming storm or change are almost local, and record themselves on particular cliffs and mountain-peaks, or in

vines at the other side, and over the broad lake, that glared like a sheet of burnished steel under its flashes of dazzling blue. Wild and fitful blasts sweeping down the hollows and cloughs of the fells of Golden Friars agitated the lake, and bent the trees low, and whirled away their sere lea

g came at the hall-door of Mardykes. How long it had la

elter under the gables at the front-he saw standing before him, in the agitated air, a thin old man, who muttering, it might be, a benediction, stepped into the hall, and displayed long silver tresses, just as the storm had blown them, ascetic and eager features, and a pair of large light eyes that wandered wildly. He was dressed in threadbare

ot unknown to the servant, who saluted him with something of fear as well as of res

I have a message to him from one he

us spoke, he unknotted his handkerchief and

t the library-door, w

sharply, from his chair before the fire,

cumman, Sir Bal

used as the clergyman's titl

at

ell, if you ple

him have some supper-and-and to let him have a bed in some suitable pl

s Mardykes Hall given me share of its cheer and its shelter and the warmth of its fire; and I bless the house that has been an inn

s, there was that sort of superstitious feeling which attaches to the mysterious and the good-an idea that it was lucky to harbour and dangerous to offend him. No one knew whence he came or whither he went. Once in a year, perhaps, he might

. As the man of God came out of Judah to king Jeroboam, so come I to you, sent by a vision, to bear a warning; and as he said, 'If t

ily. "Say your say; and you are welcome to stay

he servant back with his thin hands; "

ience to a gesture from S

stern voice a little, and interrupting his discourse from time

s this that has chanced bet

that blunt and peremptory demand,

lse ye would not blast your early compa

" said Sir

said the old man with

ef with strange figures and gothic grotesques, against the wall, opposite the fireplace. On opening it t

a seal upon it," continued Hugh Creswel

issing note, which now, with one of those sudden caprices of memory which depend on the

is room; and he led me to this cabinet, which he opened; and in that drawer he showed me that note. 'Go,' said he, 'and tell him to ask Philip Feltram's pardon, else he will but go in weakness to return in power;' and he said that which it is not lawful to repeat. My message is told. Now a word from myself," he added sternly. "The dead, through my lips, has spoken, and under God's thunder and

mon speech, strode from the room and shut the door. In another minute he was f

had left, "that's a cool old fellow! Come to rate me and teach me my own business in my own house!"

by in a moment, and thu

put him out by the shoulder, and never

had quite meant what he said; and, as I related,

door as violently as if it wer

ve hanged him on half the evidence; and I, like a fool, was going to let

ly; for, as I have said, Feltram knew many things, it was believed, of the Baronet's Continental and Asiatic life, and had even gently remonstrated with him upon the dangers into which he was running. A simple fellow like Philip Feltram is a dangerous depository of a secret. This

ed; it seemed indeed that they we

of scenes; and so intense and magnificent were its phenomena,

is ￡100 note, still between his fing

should he do? He would send for Mrs. Julaper, and tell her vaguely that he had changed his mind about Feltram

at uproar without, he could hear the jingle of Mrs

our eloquence has prevailed. What have you been crying about?" he asked, observin

late, sir;

e, a little put out. "He chose an o

a sore sight to see the poor lad going from the place he was re

to go to-night. Wh

I was upstairs; and Janet saw him pass the window

ing more about it; he has settled the matter his own