“Appeal no more to me,” said Sybil, fiercely. “Make your peace with Heaven. Your minutes are numbered.”
“I cannot pray,” said Eleanor, “while you are near me.”
“Will you pray if I retire and leave you?”
“No, no. I dare not—cannot,” shrieked Eleanor, in extremity of terror. “Oh! do not leave me, or let me go.”
“If you stir,” said Sybil, “I stab you to the heart.”
“I will not stir. I will kneel here for ever. Stab me as I kneel—as I pray to you. You cannot kill me while I cling to you thus—while I kiss your hands—while I bedew them with my tears. Those tears will not sully them like my blood.”
“Maiden,” said Sybil, endeavouring to withdraw her hand, “let go your hold—your sand is run.”
“Mercy!”
“It is in vain. Close your eyes.”
“No, I will fix them on you thus—you cannot strike then. I will cling to you—embrace you. Your nature is not cruel—your soul is full of pity. It melts—those tears—you will be merciful, You cannot deliberately kill me.”
“I cannot—I cannot!” said Sybil, with a passionate outburst of grief. “Take your life on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That you wed Sir Luke Rookwood.”
“Ah!” exclaimed Eleanor, “all rushes back upon me at that name; the whole of that fearful scene passes in review before me.”
“Do you reject my proposal?”
“I dare not.”
“I must have your oath. Swear by every hope of eternity that you will wed none other than him.”
“By every hope, I swear it.”
“Handassah, you will bear this maiden’s oath in mind, and witness its fulfilment.”
“I will,” replied the gipsy girl, stepping forward from a recess, in which she had hitherto remained unnoticed.
“Enough. I am satisfied. Tarry with me. Stir not—scream not, whatever you may see or hear. Your life depends upon your firmness. When I am no more—”
“No more?” echoed Eleanor, in horror.
“Be calm,” said Sybil. “When I am dead, clap your hands together. They will come to seek you—they will find me in your stead. Then rush to him—to Sir Luke Rookwood. He will protect you. Say to him hereafter that I died for the wrong I did him—that I died, and blessed him.”
“Can you not live, and save me?” sobbed Eleanor.
“Ask it not. While I live, your life is in danger. When I am gone, none will seek to harm you. Fare you well! Remember your oath, and you too, remember it, Handassah. Remember, also—ha! that groan!”
All started, as a deep groan knelled in their ears.
“Whence comes that sound?” cried Sybil. “Hist! a voice?”
“It is that of the priest,” replied Eleanor. “Hark! he groans. They have murdered him! Kind Heaven, receive his soul!”
“Pray for me,” cried Sybil: “pray fervently; avert your face; down on your knees—down—down! Farewell, Handassah!” And breaking from them, she rushed into the darkest recesses of the vault.
We must now quit this painful scene for another scarcely less painful, and return to the unfortunate priest.
Cheekley had been brought before the body of Susan Rookwood. Even in the gloom, the shimmer of the white cereclothes, and the pallid features of the corpse, were ghastly enough. The torchlight made them terrible.
“Kneel!” said Alan Rookwood. The priest complied. Alan knelt beside him.
“Do you know these features?” demanded he. “Regard them well. Fix your eyes full upon them. Do you know them?”
“I do.”
“Place your hand upon her breast. Does not the flesh creep and shrink beneath your touch? Now raise your hand—make the cross of your faith upon her bosom. By that faith you swear you are innocent?”
“I do,” replied the priest; “are you now satisfied?”
“No,” replied Alan. “Let the torch be removed. Your innocence must be more deeply attested,” continued he, as the light was withdrawn. “This proof will not fail. Entwine your fingers round her throat.”
“Have I not done enough?”
“Your hesitation proves your guilt,” said Alan.
“That proof is wanting then,” returned the priest; “my hand is upon her throat—what more?”
“As you hope for mercy in your hour of need, swear that you never conspired against her life, or refused her mercy.”
“I swear it.”