“Some have taken that for a second portrait of Lady Euphrasia,” said Mr.
Arnold, “but it cannot be.—Euphra, we will go back through the
picture gallery.—I suspect it of originating the tradition that Lady
Euphrasia became a nun at last. I do not believe it myself. The picture is
certainly old enough to stand for her, but it does not seem to me in the
least like the other.”
It was a great room, with large recesses, and therefore irregular in form.
Old chairs, with remnants of enamel and gilding, and seats of faded
damask, stood all about. But the beauty of the chamber was its tapestry.
The walls were entirely covered with it, and the rich colours had not yet
receded into the dull grey of the past, though their gorgeousness had
become sombre with age. The subject was the story of Samson.
“Come and see this strange piece of furniture,” said Euphra to Hugh, who
had kept by her side since they entered this room.
She led him into one of the recesses, almost concealed by the
bed-hangings. In it stood a cabinet of ebony, reaching nearly to the
ceiling, curiously carved in high relief.
“I wish I could show you the inside of it,” she went on, “but I cannot
now.”
This was said almost in a whisper. Hugh replied with only a look of
thanks. He gazed at the carving, on whose black surface his candle made
little light, and threw no shadows.
“You have looked at this before, Euphra,” said he. “Explain it to me.”
“I have often tried to find out what it is,” she answered; “but I never
could quite satisfy myself about it.”
She proceeded, however, to tell him what she fancied it might mean,
speaking still in the low tone which seemed suitable to the awe of the
place. She got interested in showing him the relations of the different
figures; and he made several suggestions as to the possible intention of
the artist. More than one well-known subject was proposed and rejected.
Suddenly becoming aware of the sensation of silence, they looked up, and
saw that theirs was the only light in the room. They were left alone in
the haunted chamber.—They looked at each other for one moment; then
said, with half-stifled voices:
“Euphra!”
“Hugh!”
Euphra seemed half amused and half perplexed. Hugh looked half perplexed
and wholly pleased.
“Come, come,” said Euphra, recovering herself, and leading the way to the
door.
When they reached it, they found it closed and locked. Euphra raised her
hand to beat on it. Hugh caught it.
“You will drive Lady Emily into fits. Did you not see how awfully pale she
was?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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