Part 5 (1/2)

”I folded her in my thin wasted arms, and imprinted a kiss on her rigid brow.

”'From my very heart!'

”'G.o.d bless you! Philip. I will love and cherish your memory to my dying hour.'

”The house-door opened suddenly; she tore herself from my embrace.

'Dinah is coming--lie quite still--moan often, as if in pain, and leave me to manage the rest.'

”She left the chamber, and the door purposely ajar, that I might be guided in my conduct by what pa.s.sed between them.

”'Did he drink it?' whispered the dreadful woman.

”'He did.'

”'And how does it agree with his stomach?' she laughed--her low, horrid laugh.

”'As might be expected--he feels _rather_ qualmish.'

”'Ha, ha,!' cried the old fiend, rubbing her withered long hands together, 'you came Delilah over him. Our pretty Samson is caught at last. Let me see--how long will it be before the poison takes effect--about two hours--when did he take it?'

”'About an hour ago. He is almost insensible. Don't you hear him groan. The struggle will soon be over.'

”'And then my bonny bird will have no rival to wealth and power. What your mother, by her obstinate folly, lost, your wit and prudence, my beauty, will regain.'

”This speech of Dinah's was to me perfectly inexplicable. I heard Alice sigh deeply, but she did not reply.

”The old woman left the cottage but quickly returned.

”'I want the spade.'

”'You will find it in the out-house; the mattock is there, too; you will need it to break the hard ground.'

”'No, no; my arm is strong yet--stronger than you think, for a woman of my years. The heavy rain has moistened the earth. The spade will do the job; we need not make a deep grave. No one will ever look for him there.'

”'The place was always haunted, and it will be doubly so now.'

”'Pshaw! who believes in ghosts. The dead are dead--lost--gone for ever; gra.s.s springs from them, and their juices go to fatten worms and nourish the weeds of the earth. Light me the lantern and I will defy all the ghosts and demons in the world; and hark you, Alice, the moment he is dead put the body in a sack, and call me to help to drag it to the grave. I shall have it ready in no time.'

”'Monster!' I muttered to myself, 'the pit you are preparing for me, ere long, may open beneath your own feet.'

”I heard the old woman close the front door after her, and presently Alice re-entered my chamber.

”'Well, thank G.o.d she is gone on her unholy task. Now, Philip!

now--lose no time--rise, dress yourself, and get off as fast as you can!'

”I endeavoured to obey, but exhausted by long sickness I fell back fainting upon the bed.

”'Stay,' said Alice, 'you are weak for the want of nourishment. I will get you food and drink.'

”She brought me a gla.s.s of port wine, and some sandwiches. I drank the wine eagerly, but I could not touch the food. The wine gave me a fict.i.tious strength. After making several efforts I was able to rise and dress, the excitement of the moment and the hope of escape acting as powerful stimulants. I secured all that remained of my small fund of money, tied up a change of linen in a pocket-handkerchief, kissed the pale girl who stood cold and tearless at my side, and committing myself to the care of G.o.d, stole out into the dark night.