Volume II Part 59 (1/2)
About midnight he heard a groan; he shut his book, and, looking aside, beheld the terrible eye and aspect of the Red Woman glaring fiercely upon him. She had in all likelihood been concealed somewhere within hearing; for a closet-door, on one side of the chamber, stood open as though she had just issued from it.
With great presence of mind he adjured her that she should declare her errand.
”I am here on my master's business; mine errand concerns not thee,”
was the reply. Her terrible eyes glanced, as she spoke, towards the bed where the unfortunate Gervase Buckley lay writhing as though in torment.
”By what compact or agreement is he thine, foul sorceress? Knowest thou not that there are bounds beyond which ye cannot prevail?”
”He hath sworn--the compact is sealed with blood, and must be fulfilled. I am here to claim mine own; and it is at thy peril thou prevent me.”
”I fear thee not, but am prepared to withstand _thee_ and all thy works.”
”Beware! There's a black drop in thine own cup,” said she. ”Thou thyself hast sought counsel by forbidden arts, and I can crush thee in a moment.”
Dee looked as though vanquished on the sudden. He was not altogether clear from this charge, having, though at Kelly's instigation, been led somewhat farther than was advisable into practices which in his heart he condemned. He, however, now felt convinced that Kelly had some hand in the business, knowing, too, that he would a.s.sociate with the most wicked and abandoned, if so be that he might compa.s.s his greedy and unhallowed desire.
”Depart whilst thou may,” she continued. ”I warn thee. Yonder inheritance is mine, though the silly damsel they have lost be the reputed heir. Aforetime I have told thee. Wronged of our rights, I have sold myself--ay, body and soul--for revenge! By unjust persecutions we have been proscribed, those of the true faith have been forced to fly, and even our lands and our patrimony given to yon graceless heretics.”
”But why persecute this unoffending house?--they have not done _thee_ wrong.”
”It is commanded--the doom must be fulfilled. One condition only was appointed. A hard task, to wit--but what cannot power and ingenuity compa.s.s?--'When one shall pledge himself thine and for ever, then the inheritance thou seekest is thine also, which none shall take from thee. But he too must be rendered up to me.' This was the doom! 'Tis fulfilled. He hath pledged himself body and soul, and that ring, if need be, is witness to his troth.”
”Is Grace Ashton living or dead?” inquired Dee, with a firm and penetrating glance.
”When he hath surrendered to his pledge it shall be told thee.”
”Wicked sorceress,” said the Doctor, rising in great anger, ”he shall not be thy victim; thine arts shall be countervailed. The powers of darkness are not, in the end, permitted to prevail, though for a time their devices seem to prosper. Listen, and answer me truly, or I will compel thee in such wise that thou darest not disobey. Was there none other condition to thy bond?”
The weird woman here broke forth into a laugh so wild and scornful that the arch-fiend himself could hardly have surpa.s.sed it in malice.
”Fret not thyself,” she said, ”and I will tell thee. Know, then, I am scathless from all harm until that feeble ring shall be able to bind me; none other bonds may prevail.”
”This ring bind thee?”
”Even so; and as a blade of gra.s.s I could rend it! Judge, then, of my safety. Fire, air, and water--all the elements--cannot have the power to hurt me; I hold a charmed life. The price is paid!”
Dee looked curiously round the little thin ring which he held, and indeed it were hopeless to suppose so frail a fetter could restrain her.
”Thou hast told me the truth?”
”I have--on my hope of prospering in this pursuit of our patrimony.”
”And what is thy purpose with the lad?”
”I have need of him. He is my hostage to him whom I serve.”
”Thou wilt not take him by force!”
”I will not. He will follow whithersoever I lead. He has neither will nor power to disobey.”
”Grant a little s.p.a.ce, I prithee. 'Tis a doleful doom for one so young.”
”To-morrow my time hath expired. Either he or I must be surrendered to”----Here she pointed downwards.