"Not a bit of it," rejoined the dwarf; "my senses were never clearer than at this moment. At last we have met," he continued, addressing Auriol, "and I hope we shall not speedily part again. We hold life by the same tie."
"How came you in the desperate condition in which I found you?" demanded Auriol evasively.
"I was thrown into the ca.n.a.l with a stone to my neck, like a dog about to be drowned," replied the dwarf. "But, as you are aware, I"m not so easily disposed of."
Again the bystanders exchanged significant looks.
"By whom was the attempt made?" inquired Auriol.
"I don"t know the villain"s name," rejoined the dwarf, "but he"s a very tall, dark man, and is generally wrapped in a long black cloak."
"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol. "When was it done?"
"Some nights ago, I should fancy," replied the dwarf, "for I"ve been a terrible long time under water. I have only just managed to shake off the stone."
At this speech there was a t.i.tter of incredulity among the bystanders.
"You may laugh, but it"s true!" cried the dwarf angrily.
"We must speak of this anon," said Auriol. "Will you convey him to the nearest tavern?" he added, placing money in the hands of the man who held the dwarf in his arms.
"Willingly, sir," replied the man. "I"ll take him to the Life Guardsman, near the barracks--that"s the nearest public."
"I"ll join him there in an hour," replied Auriol, moving away.
And as he disappeared, the man took up his little burden, and bent his steps towards the barracks.
Utterly disregarding the dripping state of his habiliments, Auriol proceeded quickly to the place of rendezvous. Arrived there, he looked around, and not seeing any one, flung himself upon a bench at the foot of the gentle eminence on which the gigantic statue of Achilles is placed.
It was becoming rapidly dark, and heavy clouds, portending speedy rain, increased the gloom. Auriol"s thoughts were sombre as the weather and the hour, and he fell into a deep fit of abstraction, from which he was roused by a hand laid on his shoulder.
Recoiling at the touch, he raised his eyes, and beheld the stranger leaning over him, and gazing at him with a look of diabolical exultation. The cloak was thrown partly aside, so as to display the tall, gaunt figure of its wearer; while the large collar of sable fur with which it was decorated stood out like the wings of a demon. The stranger"s hat was off, and his high broad forehead, white as marble, was fully revealed.
"Our meeting must be brief," he said. "Are you prepared to fulfil the compact?"
"What do you require?" replied Auriol.
"Possession of the girl I saw three days ago," said the other; "the iron-merchant"s daughter, Ebba. She must be mine."
"Never!" cried Auriol firmly--"never!"
"Beware how you tempt me to exert my power," said the stranger; "she _must_ be mine--or----"
"I defy you!" rejoined Auriol; "I will never consent."
"Fool!" cried the other, seizing him by the arm, and fixing a withering glance upon him. "Bring her to me ere the week be out, or dread my vengeance!"
And, enveloping himself in his cloak, he retreated behind the statue, and was lost to view.
As he disappeared, a moaning wind arose, and heavy rain descended. Still Auriol did not quit the bench.
CHAPTER VI
THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL
It was about two o"clock, on a charming spring day, that a stout middle-aged man, accompanied by a young person of extraordinary beauty, took up his station in front of Langham Church. Just as the clock struck the hour, a young man issued at a quick pace from a cross-street, and came upon the couple before he was aware of it. He was evidently greatly embarra.s.sed, and would have beaten a retreat, but that was impossible.
His embarra.s.sment was in some degree shared by the young lady; she blushed deeply, but could not conceal her satisfaction at the encounter.
The elder individual, who did not appear to notice the confusion of either party, immediately extended his hand to the young man, and exclaimed:
"What! Mr. Darcy, is it you? Why, we thought we had lost you, sir! What took you off so suddenly? We have been expecting you these four days, and were now walking about to try and find you. My daughter has been terribly uneasy. Haven"t you, Ebba?"
The young lady made no answer to this appeal, but cast down her eyes.
"It was my intention to call, and give you an explanation of my strange conduct, to-day," replied Auriol. "I hope you received my letter, stating that my sudden departure was unavoidable."
"To be sure; and I also received the valuable snuffbox you were so good as to send me," replied Mr. Thorneycroft. "But you neglected to tell me how to acknowledge the gift."
"I could not give an address at the moment," said Auriol.
"Well, I am glad to find you have got the use of your arm again,"
observed the iron-merchant; "but I can"t say you look so well as when you left us. You seem paler--eh? what do you think, Ebba?"
"Mr. Darcy looks as if he were suffering from mental anxiety rather than from bodily ailment," she replied timidly.
"I am so," replied Auriol, regarding her fixedly. "A very disastrous circ.u.mstance has happened to me. But answer me one question: Has the mysterious person in the black cloak troubled you again?"
"What mysterious person?" demanded Mr. Thorneycroft, opening his eyes.
"Never mind, father," replied Ebba. "I saw him last night," she added to Auriol. "I was sitting in the back room alone, wondering what had become of you, when I heard a tap against the window, which was partly open, and, looking up, I beheld the tall stranger. It was nearly dark, but the light of the fire revealed his malignant countenance. I don"t exaggerate, when I say his eyes gleamed like those of a tiger. I was terribly frightened, but something prevented me from crying out. After gazing at me for a few moments, with a look that seemed to fascinate while it frightened me, he said--"You desire to see Auriol Darcy. I have just quitted him. Go to Langham Place to-morrow, and, as the clock strikes two, you will behold him." Without waiting for any reply on my part, he disappeared."
"Ah, you never told me this, you little rogue!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft.
"You persuaded me to come out with you, in the hope of meeting Mr.
Darcy; but you did not say you were sure to find him. So you sent this mysterious gentleman to her, eh?" he added to Auriol.
"No, I did not," replied the other gloomily.
"Indeed!" exclaimed the iron-merchant, with a puzzled look.
"Oh, then I suppose he thought it might relieve her anxiety. However, since we have met, I hope you"ll walk home and dine with us."
Auriol was about to decline the invitation, but Ebba glanced at him entreatingly.
"I have an engagement, but I will forego it," he said, offering his arm to her.
And they walked along towards Oxford Street, while Mr. Thorneycroft followed, a few paces behind them.