"From this time Roger Trewinion is no more. He ceases to be so that
Wilfred can be Trewinion's heir and Ruth can be happy. Let Wilfred do
his duty, or Roger Trewinion may come to life again."
That was all, and after I had written it I felt more calm. Then I took
a stout oak stick, on which was engraven my father's name, and one
which he usually took when out walking and went away from the house, in
my heart bidding it good-bye for ever.
I walked rapidly northwards, keeping close to the cliffs. It was now
early morning, but the sun had not yet risen. The black clouds had
passed away, but the sea forgot not its anger, and still broke
furiously upon the shore.
I must have walked five miles when I saw signs of day. The sky changed
from nearly black into a sombre grey, while the sea became like unto
the sky. The birds creeping from their night resting-places, began to
sing, and from the farms by which I passed I heard the sound of the
cocks crowing.
On I tramped, anxious to get away from the neighbourhood where I was
known, the light becoming clearer and clearer as I went, until I could
see the outline of the coast. Then before me I saw a great jutting
headland, similar to the one on which our house was built, thence I
should be able to see my old home.
By the time I got there it was broad day, I think about five o'clock,
and wistfully I scanned the coast. Yes, there was Trewinion clear and
plain, although miles away. The grey, rugged walls stood out
distinctly and striking, while the tower lifted its head proudly into
the sky. And this home I had given up. Back from it stretched broad
acres that were mine, and these I had renounced for a woman.
"Treat her well, Wilfred, or by the Creator of us both you shall curse
the day on which you were born."
I muttered this between my closed teeth, for at that moment I knew I
hated him.
Then I remembered the Trewinion's curse.
Do I believe in supernatural agencies, in witchcraft? Am I prey to
superstitious fancies? I cannot answer. The unseen world is so linked
with the seen that they are but one world. I cannot tell where to draw
the line between natural and supernatural. To me the two are one. But
this I know; the moment I realised that I hated Wilfred, I was cursed
with a terrible curse. Evil passions surged within me, I planned dark
deeds, murder did not seem hateful, and hell far worse than that which
I had felt when I had been struggling on the cliff was now my doom.
A bottomless pit! I was in it. A pit of slavery to evil desire, of
savage joy which was not joy, at the thought of evil. This was where I
was.
He, the miserable sneak, had robbed me of my love, my all. And yet I
could not go back. The house was mine, the lands were mine, yet I
could not claim them. I was bound, yet I could not see the fetters
which chained me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account