"Whither?" asked she, in alarm.
"To the chamber of death!"
"Why there? what would you do? Villain! I will not trust my life with you. I will _not_ follow you."
"Hesitate not, as you value your life. Do aught to alarm the house, and I fire. Your safety depends upon yourself. I would see my father"s body ere it be laid in the grave. I will not leave you here."
"Go," said Lady Rookwood; "if that be all, I pledge myself you shall not be interrupted."
"I will not take your pledge; your presence shall be my surety. By my mother"s unavenged memory, if you play me false, though all your satellites stand around you, you die upon the spot! Obey me, and you are safe. Our way leads to the room by the private staircase--we shall pa.s.s un.o.bserved--you see I know the road. The room, by your own command, is vacant--save of the dead. We shall, therefore, be alone. This done, I depart. You will then be free to act. Disobey me, and your blood be upon your own head."
"Lead on!" said Lady Rookwood, pressing towards the antechamber.
"The door I mean is there," pointing to another part of the room--"that panel,--"
"Ha! how know you that?"
"No matter; follow."
Luke touched a spring, and the panel flying open, disclosed a dim recess, into which he entered; and, seizing Lady Rookwood"s hand, dragged her after him.
_CHAPTER XII_
_THE CHAMBER OF DEATH_
It is the body--I have orders given That here it should be laid.
_De Montfort._
The recess upon which the panel opened had been a small oratory, and, though entirely disused, still retained its cushions and its crucifix.
There were two other entrances to this place of prayer, the one communicating with a further bedchamber, the other leading to the gallery. Through the latter, after closing the aperture, without relinquishing his grasp, Luke pa.s.sed.
It was growing rapidly dark, and at the brightest seasons this gloomy corridor was but imperfectly lighted from narrow, painted, and wire-protected windows that looked into the old quadrangular courtyard below; and as they issued from the oratory a dazzling flash of lightning--a storm having suddenly arisen--momentarily illumined the whole length of the pa.s.sage, disclosing the retreating figure of a man, wrapped in a large sable cloak, at the other extremity of the gallery.
Lady Rookwood uttered an outcry for a.s.sistance; but the man, whoever he might be, disappeared in the instantaneously succeeding gloom, leaving her in doubt whether or not her situation had been perceived. Luke had seen this dark figure at the same instant; and, not without apprehensions lest his plans should be defeated, he griped Lady Rookwood"s arm still more strictly, and placing the muzzle of the pistol to her breast, hurried her rapidly forwards.
All was now in total obscurity; the countenance of neither could be perceived as they trod the dark pa.s.sage; but Luke"s unrelaxed grasp indicated no change in his purposes, nor did the slow, dignified march of the lady betray any apprehension on her part. Descending a spiral staircase, which led from the gallery to a lower story, their way now lay beneath the entrance-hall, a means of communication little used.
Their tread sounded hollowly on the flagged floor; no other sound was heard. Mounting a staircase, similar to the one they had just descended, they arrived at another pa.s.sage. A few paces brought them to the door.
Luke turned the handle, and they stood within the chamber of the dead.
The room which contained the remains of poor Sir Piers was arrayed in all that mockery of state which, vainly attempting to deride death, is itself a bitter derision of the living. It was the one devoted to the princ.i.p.al meals of the day; a strange choice, but convenience had dictated its adoption by those with whom this part of the ceremonial had originated, and long custom had rendered its usage, for this purpose, almost prescriptive. This room, which was of some size, had originally formed part of the great hall, from which it was divided by a thick screen of black, l.u.s.trously varnished oak, enriched with fanciful figures carved in bold relief. The walls were panelled with the same embrowned material, and sustained sundry portraits of the members of the family, in every possible costume, from the steely gear of Sir Ranulph, down to the flowing attire of Sir Reginald. Most of the race were ranged around the room; and, seen in the yellow light shed upon their features by the flambeaux, they looked like an array of stern and silent witnesses, gazing upon their departed descendant. The sides of the chamber were hung with black cloth, and upon a bier in the middle of the room rested the body. Broad escutcheons, decked out in glowing colors pompously set forth the heraldic honors of the departed. Tall lights burned at the head and feet, and fragrant perfumes diffused their odors from silver censers.
The entrance of Luke and his unwilling companion had been abrupt. The transition from darkness to the glare of light was almost blinding, and they had advanced far into the room ere Lady Rookwood perceived a man, whom she took to be one of the mutes, leaning over the bier. The coffin-lid was entirely removed, and the person, whose back was towards them appeared to be wrapped in mournful contemplation of the sad spectacle before him. Suddenly bursting from Luke"s hold, Lady Rookwood rushed forward with a scream, and touched the man"s shoulder. He started at the summons, and disclosed the features of her son!
Rapidly as her own act, Luke followed. He levelled a pistol at her head, but his hand dropped to his side as he encountered the glance of Ranulph. All three seemed paralyzed by surprise. Ranulph, in astonishment, extended his arm to his mother, who, placing one arm over his shoulder, pointed with the other to Luke; the latter stared sternly and inquiringly at both--yet none spoke.
_CHAPTER XIII_
_THE BROTHERS_
We"re sorry His violent act has e"en drawn blood of honor, And stained our honors; Thrown ink upon the forehead of our fame, Which envious spirits will dip their pens into After our death, and blot us in our tombs; For that which would seem treason in our lives, Is laughter when we"re dead. Who dares now whisper, That dares not then speak out; and even proclaim, With loud words, and broad pens, our closest shame?
_The Revenger"s Tragedy._
With that quickness of perception which at once supplies information on such an emergency, Luke instantly conjectured who was before him.
Startled as he was, he yet retained his composure, abiding the result with his arms folded upon his breast.
"Seize him!" cried Lady Rookwood, as soon as she could command her speech.
"He rushes on his death if he stirs," exclaimed Luke, pointing his pistol.
"Bethink you where you are, villain!" cried Ranulph; "you are entrapped in your own toils. Submit yourself to our mercy--resistance is vain, and will not secure your safety, while it will aggravate your offence.
Surrender yourself----"
"Never!" answered Luke. "Know you whom you ask to yield?"
"How should I?" answered Ranulph.
"By that instinct which tells me who _you_ are. Ask Lady Rookwood--she can inform you, if she will."
"Parley not with him--seize him!" cried Lady Rookwood. "He is a robber, a murderer, who has a.s.sailed my life."
"Beware!" said Luke to Ranulph, who was preparing to obey his mother"s commands; "I am no robber--no murderer. Do not you make me a fratricide."
"Fratricide!" echoed Ranulph.
"Heed him not," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Lady Rookwood. "It is false--he dares not harm thee, for his soul. I will call a.s.sistance."
"Hold, mother!" exclaimed Ranulph, detaining Lady Rookwood; "this man may be what he represents himself. Before we proceed to extremities, I would question him. I would not have mentioned it in your hearing could it have been avoided, but my father had another son."
Lady Rookwood frowned. She would have checked him, but Luke rejoined--
"You have spoken the truth; he had a son--I am he. I----"
"Be silent, I command you!" said Lady Rookwood.
"Death!" cried Luke, in a loud voice. "Why should I be silent at your bidding--at _yours_--who regard no laws, human or divine; who pursue your own fell purposes, without fear of G.o.d or man? Waste not your frowns on me--I heed them not. Do you think I am like a tame hound, to be cowed to silence? I _will_ speak. Ranulph Rookwood, the name you bear is mine, and by a right as good as is your own. From his loins, who lies a corpse before us, I sprang. No brand of shame is on my birth. I am your father"s son--his first-born--your _elder_ brother. Hear me!" cried he, rushing to the bier. "By this body, I swear that I have avouched the truth--and though to me the dead Sir Piers Rookwood hath never been what a father should be to a son--though I have never known his smile, felt his caresses, or received his blessing, yet now be all forgiven, all forgotten." And he cast himself with frantic violence upon the coffin.
It is difficult to describe the feelings with which Ranulph heard Luke"s avowal. Amazement and dread predominated. Unable to stir, he stood gazing on in silence. Not so Lady Rookwood. The moment for action was arrived. Addressing her son in a low tone, she said, "Your prey is within your power. Secure him."
"Wherefore?" rejoined Ranulph; "if he be my brother, shall I raise my hand against him?"