ts entrance by a double door. As
the servant opened the first of these, Sir Robert's bell again sounded
with a longer and louder peal; the inner door resisted his efforts to
open it; but after a few violent struggles, not having been perfectly
secured, or owing to the inadequacy of the bolt itself, it gave way, and
the servant rushed into the apartment, advancing several paces before
he could recover himself. As he entered, he heard Sir Robert's
voice exclaiming loudly--'Wait without, do not come in yet;' but the
prohibition came too late. Near a low truckle-bed, upon which Sir Robert
sometimes slept, for he was a whimsical man, in a large armchair, sat,
or rather lounged, the form of the valet Jacque, his arms folded, and
his heels stretched forward on the floor, so as fully to exhibit his
misshapen legs, his head thrown back, and his eyes fixed upon his master
with a look of indescribable defiance and derision, while, as if to add
to the strange insolence of his attitude and expression, he had placed
upon his head the black cloth cap which it was his habit to wear.

Sir Robert was standing before him, at the distance of several yards,
in a posture expressive of despair, terror, and what might be called an
agony of humility. He waved his hand twice or thrice, as if to dismiss
the servant, who, however, remained fixed on the spot where he had first
stood; and then, as if forgetting everything but the agony within him,
he pressed his clenched hands on his cold damp brow, and dashed away the
heavy drops that gathered chill and thickly there.

Jacque broke the silence.

'Donovan,' said he, 'shake up that drone and drunkard, Carlton; tell
him that his master directs that the travelling carriage shall be at the
door within half-an-hour.'

The servant paused, as if in doubt as to what he should do; but his
scruples were resolved by Sir Robert's saying hurriedly, 'Go--go, do
whatever he directs; his commands are mine; tell Carlton the same.'

The servant hurried to obey, and in about half-an-hour the carriage
was at the door, and Jacque, having directed the coachman to drive to
B----n, a small town at about the distance of twelve miles--the nearest
point, however, at which post-horses could be obtained--stepped into the
vehicle, which accordingly quitted the castle immediately.

Although it was a fine moonlight night, the carriage made its way but
very slowly, and after the lapse of two hours the travellers had arrived
a