Mark Hurdlestone - Or, The Two Brothers by Susanna Moodie
page 71 of 383 (18%)
page 71 of 383 (18%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
staircase, and suddenly stopped in the centre of the entrance hall. Here
he put down the light on the last step of the broad oak stairs, and proceeded to remove one of the stone flags that formed the pavement of the hall. With some difficulty he accomplished his task; then kneeling down, and holding the light over the chasm, he said in hollow and unearthly tones that echoed mournfully through the empty building: "Look! here is money; my father's savings and my own. Will this save my soul?" Elinor leaned over the sordid wretch, and discovered with no small astonishment that the aperture contained a great quantity of gold and silver coins; and the most valuable articles of the family plate and jewels. "Unhappy man!" she mentally cried; "dost thou imagine that these glittering heaps of metal will purchase the redemption of a soul like thine, or avert the certainty of future punishment?--for never was the parable of the servant who buried his talent in the dust more fully exemplified than in thee." "What, not enough?" growled forth the miser. "By heavens! thou hast a human conscience. But wait patiently, and I will show you more--aye, more--my brother's portion, and my own. Ha, ha! I tricked him there. The old man's heart failed him at the last. He was afraid of you. Yes, yes, he was afraid of the devil! It was I formed the plan. It was I guided the dead hand. Shall I burn for that?" Then, as if suddenly struck with a violent pain, he shrieked out, "Ah, ah! my brain is cloven with a bolt of fire. I cannot bear this! Algernon |
|