The Sword of Damocles: A Story of New York Life
Page 41
XL.
HALF-PAST SEVEN.
"I would it were midnight, Hal, and all well."
--HENRY IV.
The library was dim; Bertram, who had felt the oppressive influence ofthe great empty room, had turned down the lights, and was now engaged inpacing the floor, with restless and uneven steps, asking himself ahundred questions, and wishing with all the power of his soul, that Mr.Sylvester would return, and by his appearance cut short a suspense thatwas fast becoming unendurable.
He had just returned from his third visit to the front door, when thecurtain between him and the hall was gently raised, and Paula glided inand stood before him. She was dressed for the street, and her face wherethe light touched it, shone like marble upon which has fallen the glareof a lifted torch.
"Paula!" burst from the young man's lips in surprise.
"Hush!" said she, her voice quavering with an emotion that put todefiance all conventionalities, "I want you to take me to the placewhere Mr. Sylvester is gone. He is in danger; I know it, I feel it. Idare not leave him any longer alone. I might be able to save him if--ifhe meditates anything that--" she did not try to say what, but drewnearer to Bertram and repeated her request. "You will take me, won'tyou?"
He eyed her with amazement, and a shudder seized his own strong frame."No," cried he, "I cannot take you; you do not know what you ask; but Iwill go myself if you apprehend anything serious. I remember where itis. I studied the address too closely, to readily forget it."
"You shall not go without me," returned Paula with steady decision. "Ifthe danger is what I fear, no one else can save him. I must go," sheadded, with passionate importunity as she saw him still lookingdoubtful. "Darkness and peril are nothing to me in comparison with hissafety. He holds my life in his hand," she softly whispered, "and whatwill not one do for his life!" Then quickly, "If you go without me Ishall follow with Aunt Belinda. Nothing shall keep me in the houseto-night."
He felt the uselessness of further objection, yet he ventured to say,"The place where he has gone is one of the worst in the city; a spotwhich men hesitate to enter after dark. You don't know what you ask inbegging me to take you there."
"I do, I realize everything."
With a sudden awe of the great love which he thus beheld embodied beforehim, Bertram bowed his head and moved towards the door. "I may considerit wise to obtain the guidance of a policeman through the quarter intowhich we are about to venture. Will you object to that?"
"No," was her quick reply, "I object to nothing but delay."
And with a last look about the room, as if some sensation of farewellwere stirring in her breast, she laid her hand on Bertram's arm, andtogether they hurried away into the night.
BOOK V.
WOMAN'S LOVE.