Grant! Mr. Grant! come,
come! You promised!" Did he actually hear the words? They sounded so
far away that it seemed as if he ought not to hear them. But could
the voice be from the spirit-land? Would she claim his promise
thence, tempting him thither? She would not! And she knew he would
not go before his hour, if all the spirits on the other side were
calling him. But he had heard of voices from far away, while those
who called were yet in the body! If she would but say whither, he
would follow her that moment! Once more it came, but very faint; he
could not tell what it said. A wail of the ghost-music followed
close.--God in heaven! could she be down in the chapel? He sprang to
his feet. With superhuman energy he leapt up and caught the edge of
the cleft, drew himself up till his mouth reached it, and cried
aloud, "Lady Arctura!"
There came no answer.
"I am stupid as death!" he said to himself: "I have let her call me
in vain!"
"I am coming!" he cried again, revived with sudden joy. He dropped
on the roof, and sped down the stair to the door that opened on the
second floor. All was dark as underground, but he knew the way so
well he needed but a little guidance from his hands. He hurried to
lady Arctura's chamber, and the spot where the press stood, ready
with one shove to send it yards out of his way. There was no press
there!--nothing but a smooth, cold, damp wall! His heart sank within
him.
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