The Haunted Chamber

. Even that too departs, and now darkness falls upon the dis

This the old lady, though strongly disinclined to quit the castle, is debating in her own mind, and, being swayed by Lady Gertrude, who is secretly rather bored by the dullness that has ensued on the strange absence of their host, decides to leave on t

quarters some time before the hunting-season commences. Some others have already gone, and altogether it seems to Florence that there is no other course open to her but to pack up and desert him, who

The servants are conversing over their supper in frightened whispers, and conjecturing moo

ssed by the dire evil that has fallen upon the old castle. No sound is to be heard here in this spot, remote from the rest of the house, where

this that strikes upon the ear? What sound comes to break the unearthly stillness? A creeping footstep, a cautious tread, a slinking, halting, uncertain motion, belonging surely to some

ses it firmly behind him, and ascends the staircase within. There is no halting in his footsteps now, no u

again, and, creeping up the stone stairs, crouches down so as

he tells himself that now he is satisfied, all is well, his victim is secure, is beyond the power of words or kindly search to recall him to life. He may be discovered now as soon as

t reveals the vile glance of triumph that fires his eyes. He would fain have entered to gaze upon his victim, to assure himself of his vic

moaning, almost incessant and unearthly in its sound, had pierced his brain. It was more like the cry of a dying brute than that of a man. Sir Adrian slowly starved to death! In his own mind Arthur can see him now, worn, emaciated, lost to all likenes

ng himself in the light of the hanging lamp, colle

glances affrightedly up and down, is empty. He can see nothing but hi

a upon his cowardice, he moves noiselessly toward his room and

all to wall, half-maddened by his thoughts. Not that he relents. No feelings of repentance stir him, there is only a nervous dread of th

ould have, all his own? Is his hated rival-hateful to him only because of his fair face and genial manners and lov

longing that had been his some hours ago when listening at the fatal do

e is astir. In all probability every one is abed, and now sleeping the sleep of th

eting no one, he ascends the stairs like one only half conscious, u

re that he can lean against the wall and wipe his forehead, and vow to himself that he will never descend until he has accomplished the object of his visit. But the

o look upon his terrible work. A silence, more horrible to his guilty conscience than the most appalling noises, follows this act; and, again

ey might see. Upon the board at his feet they rest for a moment, and then glide to the nex

iding the corners at first, as though there he expects his vile deed will cry aloud to him demanding vengeance, he gazes in a dazed way at the center of the apartment, and dwells upon it stupidly, until he knows he must look further still; and then his dull eyes tu

d-he is a prisoner in the haunted chamber! As the darkness closes in upon him, and he finds himself alone with what he hardly dares t