At the
next place where they stopped, he represented her as his daughter
taken suddenly ill: he must go straight home with her, however late
they might be. Giving an imaginary name to their destination, and
keeping on the last post-boy who knew nothing of the country, he
directed him so as completely to bewilder him, with the result that
he set them down at the castle supposing it a different place, and
in a different part of the country. The thing was after the earl's
own heart; he delighted in making a fool of a fellow-mortal. He sent
him away so as not to enter the town: it was of importance his
return should not be known.
It is a marvel he could effect what followed; but he had the
remnants of great strength, and when under influences he knew too
well how to manage, was for the time almost as powerful as ever: he
got his victim to his room on the stair, and thence through the oak
door.
CHAPTER LXXV.
THE PORCH OF HADES.
When Arctura woke from her unnatural sleep, she lay a while without
thought, then began to localize herself. The last place she recalled
was the inn where they had tea: she must have been there taken ill,
she thought, and was now in a room of the same. It was quite dark:
they might have left a light by her! She lay comfortably enough, but
had a suspicion that the place was not over clean, and was glad to
find herself not undrest.
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