the black dwarf(黑侏儒)-第42节
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which referred their date to what has been called the Saxon architecture；
presented at all times a dark and sombre appearance； and had been
frequently used as the cemetery of the family of the feudal lords； as well
as formerly of the monastic brethren。 But it looked doubly gloomy by
the effect of the few and smoky torches which were used to enlighten it on
the present occasion； and which； spreading a glare of yellow light in their
immediate vicinity； were surrounded beyond by a red and purple halo
reflected from their own smoke； and beyond that again by a zone of
darkness which magnified the extent of the chapel； while it rendered it
impossible for the eye to ascertain its limits。 Some injudicious ornaments；
adopted in haste for the occasion； rather added to the dreariness of the
scene。 Old fragments of tapestry； torn from the walls of other apartments；
had been hastily and partially disposed around those of the chapel； and
mingled inconsistently with scutcheons and funeral emblems of the dead；
which they elsewhere exhibited。 On each side of the stone altar was a
monument； the appearance of which formed an equally strange contrast。
On the one was the figure； in stone； of some grim hermit； or monk； who
had died in the odour of sanctity； he was represented as recumbent； in his
cowl and scapulaire； with his face turned upward as in the act of devotion；
and his hands folded； from which his string of beads was dependent。 On
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the other side was a tomb； in the Italian taste； composed of the most
beautiful statuary marble； and accounted a model of modern art。 It was
erected to the memory of Isabella's mother； the late Mrs。 Vere of Ellieslaw；
who was represented as in a dying posture； while a weeping cherub； with
eyes averted； seemed in the act of extinguishing a dying lamp as
emblematic of her speedy dissolution。 It was； indeed； a masterpiece of
art； but misplaced in the rude vault to which it had been consigned。
Many were surprised； and even scandalized； that Ellieslaw； not remarkable
for attention to his lady while alive； should erect after her death such a
costly mausoleum in affected sorrow； others cleared him from the
imputation of hypocrisy； and averred that the monument had been
constructed under the direction and at the sole expense of Mr。 Ratcliffe。
Before these monuments the wedding guests were assembled。 They
were few in number； for many had left the castle to prepare for the ensuing
political explosion； and Ellieslaw was； in the circumstances of the case； far
from being desirous to extend invitations farther than to those near
relations whose presence the custom of the country rendered indispensable。
Next to the altar stood Sir Frederick Langley； dark； moody； and thoughtful；
even beyond his wont； and near him； Mareschal； who was to play the part
of bridesman； as it was called。 The thoughtless humour of this young
gentleman； on which he never deigned to place the least restraint； added to
the cloud which overhung the brow of the bridegroom
〃The bride is not yet come out of her chamber；〃 he whispered to Sir
Frederick； 〃I trust that we must not have recourse to the violent expedients
of the Romans which I read of at College。 It would be hard upon my
pretty cousin to be run away with twice in two days； though I know none
better worth such a violent compliment。〃
Sir Frederick attempted to turn a deaf ear to this discourse； humming a
tune； and looking another may； but Mareschal proceeded in the same wild
manner。
〃This delay is hard upon Dr。 Hobbler； who was disturbed to accelerate
preparations for this joyful event when he had successfully extracted the
cork of his third bottle。 I hope you will keep him free of the censure of
his superiors； for I take it this is beyond canonical hours。But here come
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Ellieslaw and my pretty cousinprettier than ever； I think； were it not she
seems so faint and so deadly paleHark ye； Sir Knight； if she says not
YES with right good…will； it shall be no wedding； for all that has come and
gone yet。〃
〃No wedding； sir？〃 returned Sir Frederick； in a loud whisper； the
tone of which indicated that his angry feelings were suppressed with
difficulty。
〃Nono marriage；〃 replied Mareschal； 〃there's my hand and glove
on't。〃
Sir Frederick Langley took his hand； and as he wrung it hard； said in a
lower whisper； 〃Mareschal； you shall answer this；〃 and then flung his hand
from him。
〃That I will readily do；〃 said Mareschal； 〃for never word escaped my
lips that my hand was not ready to guarantee。… So； speak up； my pretty
cousin； and tell me if it be your free will and unbiassed resolution to
accept of this gallant knight for your lord and husband； for if you have the
tenth part of a scruple upon the subject； fall back； fall edge； he shall not
have you。〃
〃Are you mad； Mr。 Mareschal？〃 said Ellieslaw； who； having been
this young man's guardian during his minority； often employed a tone of
authority to him。 〃Do you suppose I would drag my daughter to the foot
of the altar； were it not her own choice？〃
〃Tut； Ellieslaw；〃 retorted the young gentleman； 〃never tell me of the
contrary； her eyes are full of tears； and her cheeks are whiter than her
white dress。 I must insist； in the name of common humanity； that the
ceremony be adjourned till to…morrow。〃
〃She shall tell you herself； thou incorrigible intermeddler in what
concerns thee not； that it is her wish the ceremony should go onIs it not；
Isabella； my dear？〃
〃It is；〃 said Isabella； half fainting〃since there is no help； either in
God or man。〃
The first word alone was distinctly audible。 Mareschal shrugged up
his shoulders and stepped back。 Ellieslaw led； or rather supported； his
daughter to the altar。 Sir Frederick moved forward and placed himself by
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her side。 The clergyman opened his prayer…book； and looked to Mr。 Vere
for the signal to commence the service。
〃Proceed；〃 said the latter。
But a voice； as if issuing from the tomb of his deceased wife； called； in
such loud and harsh accents as awakened every echo in the vaulted chapel；
〃Forbear！〃
All were mute and motionless； till a distant rustle； and the clash of
swords； or something resembling it； was heard from the remote apartments。
It ceased almost instantly。
〃What new device is this？〃 said Sir Frederick； fiercely； eyeing
Ellieslaw and Mareschal with a glance of malignant suspicion。
〃It can be but the frolic of some intemperate guest；〃 said Ellieslaw；
though greatly confounded； 〃we must make large allowances for the
excess of this evening's festivity。 Proceed with the service。〃
Before the clergyman could obey； the same prohibition which they had
before heard； was repeated from the same spot。 The female attendants
screamed； and fled from the chapel； the gentlemen laid their hands on their
swords。 Ere the first moment of surprise had passed by； the Dwarf
stepped from behind the monument； and placed himself full in front of Mr。
Vere。 The effect of so strange and hideous an apparition in such a place
and in such circumstances； appalled all present； but seemed to annihilate
the Laird of Ellieslaw； who； dropping his daughter's arm； staggered against
the nearest pillar； and； clasping it with his hands as if for support； laid his
brow against the column。
〃Who is this fellow？〃 said Sir Frederick； 〃and what does he mean by
this intrusion？〃
〃It is one who comes to tell you；〃 said the Dwarf
