Part 13 (1/2)
”You must not suppose that I live entirely under ground, like a mole!
No, indeed; every day when it is fine, I go to the surface. I get out on the roof. I walk on the mountain heights, 'where never foot fell,'
except my own! I went out yesterday, and would have taken you; but that you were so dead asleep. Will you climb with me to-day?”
”With great pleasure,” said Sybil.
”And while we go, we will take little baskets and some luncheon, and we will gather some nuts--there are so many on the mountain--walnuts, chestnuts, hickory-nuts, hazle-nuts, and c.h.i.n.kapins,” added the young hostess, as they walked back to the sleeping cavern, where they began to prepare for their ramble.
”There, take that, and wrap yourself up warm. I wish it was nicer, but I haven't a choice of garments here, you know.”
Sybil picked up the articles thrown her by her hostess, and saw, to her astonishment, that it was a priceless India shawl, belonging to her friend Miss Pendleton.
”This! this!” she exclaimed, indignantly; ”do you know what this is?”
”It is an old shawl,” replied the girl, contemptuously.
”Yes, it is an 'old shawl,' a rare old camel's hair shawl, worth thousands upon thousands of dollars, an heir loom of the Pendleton family, that has descended from generation to generation, until now it is the property of Miss Beatrix Pendleton. Oh, I am so sorry she has lost it.”
”What, that old thing? I'm blessed if I didn't think it was a most uncommon coa.r.s.e, thick, heavy old broche.”
”It is a priceless India camel's hair shawl! Such a one as could not be bought in this century at any price. Oh. I wish she had it back!”
”Lor' bless you! she may have it back if she wants it! Why do you think they took it? For its value? They knew no more of its value than I did!
No! they took it for its uses! They took it to tie up some of the silver plate in, because they hadn't sacks enough. You take it, and keep it!
And when you have a chance, give it back to your friend. But for to-day, you had better give it an airing on your shoulders.”
So exhorted, Sybil wrapped herself in the costly shawl, and followed her hostess through many labyrinths of the caverns, until they came out on a lonely height apparently yet untrodden by the foot of man.
It was a clear, bright December day. The morning, if sharp and cold, was fresh and invigorating.
They spent the middle of the day in rambling through the loneliest parts of the mountain fastnesses, and gathering treasure of many sorts of the sweetest nuts. The sun was sinking in the west when they turned their steps towards the caverns.
”The men will be sure to be home to supper. They never fail supper! And now we will be able to give them walnuts with their wine!” said Gentiliska, as they reentered the labyrinth that led them from the mountain top to the caverns underneath.
Sybil's heart shrunk within her. To the delicate and conscientious, there is always an exquisite torture in the immediate contact of the coa.r.s.e and reckless.
They reached the large cavern to find its walls brilliantly lighted up, and the supper table laid and well laden, as on the preceding evening.
”We will go to the sleeping cavern, and lay off our bonnets and shawls.
Then we will be ready for supper. Fortunately we don't have to dress for the evening at our house!” laughed the girl, leading the way to the little cave.
When they had thrown off their wraps, they returned to the larger cavern to find it half full of the men. Supper was already on the table; and Satan, who was now in full evening dress, came forward and bowed to Sybil, and with much empressment led her to the place of honor at the board, and seated himself beside her.
Moloch took a stool immediately opposite the pair, where he could gaze at will upon the new beauty.
When all were seated the feast began. Satan gave his whole attention to Sybil, whom he treated with tender deference.
As the supper progressed and the wine pa.s.sed around, the men, under the exhilarating influence, grew merry and talkative.
”Hope the beaks'll have a good time up at the old Haunted Chapel to-day!