CHAPTER XXXIIIBROWNIE LIBERATED
“You would not suppose that Vallingham Hall concealed such a spot in its very heart, would you?” Herbert Randal asked, as they stepped into the court.
“No; it is an enigma to me even now.”
“Where you have been to-night is a portion of the original buildings. The chapel and the Hall have been built around this square, and, as you perceive, there are no windows overlooking the place, which was once used as a burial ground, although nearly all evidences of that have disappeared.”
Brownie followed her guide bravely.
“Take care!” he cried, as she stumbled and nearly fellover a grave; “I did not think we were so near that. It seems strange that it should remain when all the others have disappeared.”
He halted for her, for her sudden fall, the weird place, together with the night of excitement, made her so weak and trembling that she could scarcely walk.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, pityingly.
She shook her head and tried to smile courageously, but he saw that her lips were white and quivering.
It was beginning to be light overhead, but, hemmed in by those towering walls, the place, with its deep-tangled grass, and damp, moldy smell, was fearfully gloomy and ghostly, while her guide, with his misshapen form, and his white waving hair, his haggard face, rendered more ghastly still in the flickering, uncertain light of the candle which he bore, made it seem like some haunted spot in which restless spirits roamed at will.
When they reached the chapel there was another grating to be removed, another window, from which nearly every pane of glass had disappeared, to be opened, and they came to another flight of stone steps.
These they descended cautiously, for they were becoming loosened from their place, and were falling to ruin, and soon found themselves in a vaulted cavern, dismal and gloomy enough for the dwelling-place of the dead.
The candle flickered and flared, giving an uncertain light, but Brownie could see the numerous shelves which were ranged along the side, each containing a silent occupant, in its moldy, worm-eaten coffin.
A gasp of fear told young Randal something of what his companion was suffering.
He halted at the foot of the steps, and said, regretfully:
“Miss Douglas, nothing but necessity would ever compel me to bring a delicate lady into such a dreadful place; and now, if I can only persuade you to put your hand upon my arm, and close your eyes, I will guide you safely through this vault, and you need never realize what is in it.”
She laid her hand lightly upon his arm, and he thrilled at the touch.
It was a new and strange experience for the lonely boy, and one which he long lived upon in remembrance.
The abode of the dead was soon traversed, and they came to still another flight of steps.
Herbert Randal, mounting them first, lifted a trapdoor, and setting his candle down, reached his hand to Brownie, and in another moment she was standing safe, but nearly exhausted, within the altar of the chapel.
The young man made her sit down and rest, while he talked cheerfully and interestingly of the place, hoping thus to turn her mind from the horrors through which they had just passed.
After a while he arose, crossed the channel, and led the way to a small side door, whose key was in the lock.
This he turned and pushed the door open, letting in the fresh breath of morning.
The relief which Brownie experienced was expressed by a long-drawn sigh, and, looking up into her companion’s face, she smiled a wan, forced smile, as she said:
“I fear you will think me very cowardly, but indeed my nerves were nearly unstrung by excitement and anxiety before this last experience.”
“Do not speak of it; I am sure you have borne it bravely. And now, if you will follow that path,” he added, pointing it out to her, “it will lead you directly through this grove, around to the front of the Hall, where I think you will find no difficulty now in entering.”
“Thank you. And, Mr. Randal, I feel that I owe you a great deal. I trust it will not be long before we shall meet again under happier circumstances,” Brownie said, heartily, as she held out her little trembling hand to him.
He took it, while an expression of infinite sadness swept over his face.
“I shall always remember you, and I believe we shall meet again,” Brownie said, with quivering lips, and eyes which were swimming in tears.
He bent and touched her hand with his lips, then, with a murmured farewell, he closed the door and went back to his loneliness and desolation, leaving Brownie standing alone in the gray dawn, a strange, deep tenderness in herheart for this poor sufferer, whom God had stricken so heavily.
She leaned wearily against the door and looked about her. She had felt tenfold more dreary than when she had been shut within the cell, for she was still in some doubt as to what was best for her to do, and as to what her reception would be if she should return to the Hall.
She was cold, and weak, and faint, and it was quite a distance around to the front of the hall, but, after a few moments spent in deliberation, she turned into the path leading through the grove.
The morning was cloudy and misty, and within the shadow of the trees, most of which were spruce and pine, the gloom was most oppressive, while the keen air pierced her scant clothing, chilling her through and through.
She had not gone many steps when the crackling of twigs made her start nervously and look around her, and her heart stood still with fear as she beheld the figure of a man, enveloped in a long, dark cloak, coming toward her with rapid strides.
She stopped, her heart beating like a trip-hammer, and stepped behind a tree, hoping he had not observed her, and would pass on without noticing her.
Vain hope! The figure quickened his steps, coming directly toward the spot where she stood.
What to do she knew not.
If she attempted to fly he could easily overtake her. If she remained where she was, and harm came to her, no one could hear her cries and come to her aid.
She felt that her strength was failing, the strain had been so great upon her nerves during the last twelve hours that she knew she could not endure much more; but she resolved to meet this new danger as bravely as possible, and, stepping forth from her hiding-place, she went forward with dizzy brain and bated breath.
Another moment and she found herself face to face with her lover, Adrian Dredmond!