Ghosts' Gloom. A novel, etc

Front matter

" Basely murdered ! " the Ghost interrupted. IV. p 152. GHOSTS' GLOOM a Som IiV J. G. HOLMES Author of "Pearl Stutton's Love," etc. With a Frontispiece by WM. PARKINSON LONDON SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO. PATERNOSTER SQUARE Butler & Turner. The Selwood Printing Works, Frome. and Louduu TO WILKIE COLLINS, ESQ., 5Ci)is flobd is GRATEFULLY DEDICATED BV AN ADMIRER OF HIS GENIUS AND A RECIPIENT OF HIS KINDNESS. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGB I. Ghosts or Murderers 1 II. Devilton's Bride 19 III. A Sacred Charge ...... 41 IV. Eva's Journal. — Four Days . . . .64 V. Eva's Journal. — Unearthly Sounds . . 82 VI. Glance & Petcarp, Merchants . . .93 VII. Father and Daughter ..... 109 VIII. Roland's Victory 116 IX. Eva's Journal. — The Ghost Appears . . 129 X. Eva's Journal. — Evil Forebodings . . . 154 XI. Snowdrop 176 XII.

The Reaper Death 191 XIII. Eva's Journal. — Troubled Dreams . . . 213 XIV. Dawn, Danger, and Deafness .... 231 XV. A Discovery 240 XVI. Rosamund 256 XVII. Love and Fear 275 XVIII. Midnight 290 XIX. Death and Destruction 307 XX. By the Bust of Venus

Chapter I. Ghosts Or Murderers

? A dark, gloomy pile of buildings, standing alone in the midst of some of the wildest scenery in England, was Ghosts' Gloom. Surrounded by hundreds of ancient fir trees, partly covered with ill-growing ivy and creepers, it recalled to mind the mediæval days when unruly barons built their houses more for defence than for comfort. Ghosts' Gloom was divided into two wings — one built about five hundred years ago, and the other dating back to the beginning of the eighteenth cen tury. In consequence of this fact, the modern wing presented a more inviting appearance than its comi B panion, being not only in a better state of preserva tion, but possessing a few architectural adornments. I have said Ghosts' Gloom was divided into two wings • but the distinction is only figurative, for in reality they were not disunited.

The whole front of the more ancient part of the house was rendered extremely unsightly by a number of blind windows • in fact only one, prison -like in its structure, admitted the daylight through its iron bars. The building had no pretensions to beauty, even an antiquarian could scarcely have allotted it more grace of structure than he would have discovered in Newgate. It was black with age, massive and ugly, and in external appearance very similar to the prison in Old Bailey ; the only difference between them being, that Newgate stands in the heart of a great city, and Ghosts' Gloom stood amid mountains, woods, and dells, covered with creepers of the most gloomy kind. All round the summit of the ancient wing was a flat surface about eighteen inches in width • bricks, half a foot in diameter, edged the more modern portion.

Tradition names Mortimer, Queen Isabel's favourite, as the founder of this unsightly castle • facts, how ever, seem to point to an unknown or unimportant baron of Edward the Third's reign. Be that as it may, I cannot admire the taste of the builder ; but I almost love Ghosts' Gloom's sponsor, for a more appropriate name could scarcely have been chosen. If the name be truthful, and ghosts possessed such gloom in olden days, they deserve the sympathy of every reader who may peruse this page. A dry moat encircled the entire building • and, being exceedingly ill-shaped, spoilt what otherwise might have been a pretty lawn. Near this moat was a small square building, composed of stone, which once served as a church or chapel to the lord of Ghosts' Gloom ; it was now in a wretched state — dirt, age, and decay working its ruin.

Passing by this, the visitor came upon a narrow path which led to the principal entrance, and was so enclosed with prickly bushes, that great caution was necessary to avoid being torn in passing down it. Then came the fir trees — scores, no, hundreds of them, as ugly and unsightly as their surroundings; some half broken down, others stunted in growth, all neglected, gloomy, and ancient. Such was the exterior of Ghosts' Gloom. Its appearance may be summed up in two words — the words " ugly " and " ancient." It possessed no object of beauty about it; its most pleasing portion was unsightly; its cleanest part was dusty. It was more suited as a residence for a colony of spiders than a man ; yet human beings were about to occupy its long-forsaken rooms. A bride, in the bloom of youth, was to dwell within this dismal and prison like structure.

Close by the ancient church just referred to, one mild evening in autumn, stood two men — the one middle-aged, the other young, active, and handsome. The young man, who leaned easily against the trunk of a stunted fir, possessed a resolute countenance, a pair of gentle brown eyes, and fine expressive features. He glanced at his companion with a slight smile before he spoke ; and when he did, it was with a rich, mellow voice. " There is no danger, uncle," he said ; " modern enlightenment has proved that such uncanny crea tures as phantoms and the like do not exist anywhere out of a man's imagination. Such fables as ghosts, haunted chambers, etc., were only tolerated in days of darkness and superstition; now they are all exploded and exposed." " But," said the elderly man, " your modern teachers of science and scientific things would make us doubt the reality of those mighty events Holy Writ reveals to us.

When one great professor tells us that the Creation is a fable, and another asserts that the Incarnation is an idle tale, we must receive all their after statements with great caution ; for the man who would take away your faith would not hesitate to steal your greatest treasure." " I do not take any infidel professor as my authority," cried the young man hastily ; " bat the opinion of the religious, as well as scientific, world." " Answer me one question. Which is better, to trust or to doubt ? " " In most cases to trust." " Then trust in this case. You may doubt every historical record, and refuse to recognise Shakespeare as the author of 'Hamlet'; it is easy for a fool to doubt, but a thousand fools will not shake a wise man's faith. What good can you get by spending a night within these gloomy walls ?

If you don't believe in supernatural things, why go there and endeavour to discover them ? " " I do not go with any such intention ; my object is to expose any trickery I may discover. Should these unearthly sounds be the pranks of some fool or knave, is it wise to allow Cousin Eva to go there in ignorance ? " " Thanks for your consideration," said his uncle thoughtfully. " If I really thought Eva might be frightened by those sounds, I would persuade Devil ton to reside elsewhere ; but she is by no means a timid girl. Then, should any danger arise, there is her husband to protect her." "His protection is worth little." " Roland ! " " I beg pardon, sir. His marriage seems to me, GHOSTS OR MURDERERS I 7 from the little I know, more prompted by pecuniary considerations than by love towards her."

"Roland, my boy, you wrong him. He is not poor; and it has been the desire of my life to see your cousin become his wife. Of course you don't know much about him, therefore cannot rightly judge." " That is perfectly true ; yet I am afraid your knowledge is not much larger. A man who takes a young girl from her home to a gloomy castle like this certainly does so without consulting his bride's pleasure ; and I cannot think he is really fond of her. Besides, nine men out of ten would improve this place before occupying it, and he leaves it in this wretched condition for her to see." "He has been extravagant, and is now studying economy." "Then why has he been so hasty in fixing this time for his marriage ? He has not permitted his courtship to last more than a month, and must be aware of the difference between Eva's pretty home in London and this old place."

"Nevertheless, their marriage is fixed for to morrow fortnight, and I am certain he is very fond of her. We cannot explain all our actions, nor can we reasonably command him to account for his conduct iu this affair. To Eva he has behaved with affectionate tenderness; but you are such a confirmed doubter, that you doubt his love without even once seeing the man. He has good motives for his haste, depend upon it ; and Eva, like a good girl, makes no objections. Now, if you are really determined to explore, I will give you my key" " No one knows of my visit, I hope ? " " No ; I purposely kept your secret. This key his father gave me twenty years ago, and nobody knows I have it ; not that I think Devilton would object to your night-watching in the least degree. Take the key; it fits the gate of the left wing, in which are the haunted chambers."

Roland Nellard, parting with the elderly gentle man, went slowly up a dusty, uneven path until he reached the inner gate of the left wing, which really GHOSTS OR MURDERERS I 9 formed the most important part of Ghosts' Gloom. Arriving at this gate, he pushed it open, for it was not locked, and entered a little courtyard filled with useless lumber. Within this small courtyard was the principal door, referred to by his uncle as a gate, and to this door he applied his key for some time without success. Just as he was beginning to fear age and rust had ruined the lock, it yielded, and he found himself in a lofty hall, on either side of which huge knights in armour reposed in all the massive calm of warriors. The stern appearance of these stuffed mummies, with their unwieldy lances and rusty shields, made young Nellard pause for a moment, and survey them as carefully as he could.

There they stood, in gloomy harmony with the long neglected place, reminding one of those feudal days when spear, sword, and battle-axe were the chief weapons in tournament or national conflict. All rusty and dirty was the armour that once sparkled on the haughty baron as he rode from the castle gate ; neglected and useless was the mighty spear he had once made a terror to all his foes. Nellard passed on, with a strange feeling of sadness stealing upon him as he mused over the consumma tion of that pomp and show so worshipped in days of chivalry. Perhaps, he thought, as ages roll on, some one may visit our modern mansions, and see them as neglected and forsaken as this relic of ancient times. Dusk was fast making itself apparent ; and in Ghosts' Gloom, where little daylight could intrude itself, everything wore a dismal look, which, Nellard knew, would soon change into black darkness.

He therefore hastily left the hall, and going up a few oaken stairs, came upon a small square apartment of a much more tempting appearance than that borne by the other rooms. He also noticed, with some degree of surprise, that the room was much cleaner than its companions ; and although very far from modern, possessed a few articles of furniture neither ancient nor useless. In the centre of this apartment a dirty and tattered piece of tapestry hung from the ceiling ; but the figures worked upon it had evidently lost all the beauty they once possessed. The young man, having pulled this tapestry aside, and inspected the other half of the room, determined to spend the night there. Two reasons made him take this resolve ; first, the room seemed the most comfortable in the castle ; next, if he watched behind the tapestry, he might see the supposed ghosts with out their observing him — should they appear.

But sleep, which is a powerful enemy to the most courageous ghost-hunter, assailed Roland Nellard, in a most cunning manner, before he had been stationed there half an hour. Firstly, it persuaded him that he would see better if he stretched himself on the floor and screened himself with the ragged needle work ; for he could command any part of the room by a tiny hole in the bordering. Secondly, it re minded him that he could hear a footfall far more quickly with his eyes shut than with them open. Thirdly, it confused his thoughts, and lulled him to sleep in the most natural as well as the most easy manner it is possible to imagine. Although it is not in my power to say how long he slumbered, it must have been a considerable time ; for when he awoke it was nearly midnight, and he found himself in total darkness.

Roland was annoyed; he blamed himself for his drowsiness, yet even then felt more inclined to sleep than to watch ; the very gloom of the chamber acted as a soporific. He lay perfectly still for some time trying to realize his situation clearly, and command his thoughts. He thought of his cousin Eva. She was the daughter of the uncle from whom he had lately parted, and who bore the name of Glance. Roland had known her when quite a child, and loved her almost as much as he did his own sister; consequently the abrupt announcement of her approaching marriage with a man almost unknown to him made him fancy her lover thought more of his bride's money than of her self. But Eva Glance had been destined to marry Caleb Devilton almost from her birth ; and when old Mr. Devilton lay on his death-bed, his last injunction to his friend, Eva's father, was that the families should be thus closely united.

So as Eva grew from girlhood to womanhood, she checked all her natural affections, and, in obedience to her father's wish, con- ? 13 sidered herself engaged to a man she had never seen. Her cousin thought of her position with a degree of pity he could not bring himself to account for. Such unions are sometimes happy; at least the contracting parties may manage to slip through life without, or with little, matrimonial strife; yet Roland Nellard sympathised with Eva, as if he instinctively knew she must be unhappy. As he indulged in these thoughts, and tried to think Devilton might be really in love with his future bride, a sudden light, gleaming through the hole in the bordering, and shining with painful brilliancy over his eyes, startled and amazed him. He noiselessly turned, and glanced through the tiny aperture.

The room seemed to have doubled itself, and assumed an altogether novel aspect to that it had lately worn. On a table in one corner was a lamp from which proceeded the light that first attracted his attention ; it revealed a carpeted room, neatly furnished, containing several ornaments fashioned in a thoroughly modern style. Near one side of this room was a sofa, on which reclined a woman of such re markable beauty that Roland felt he was gazing on no earthly scene. Wrapt in the gentle repose of sleep, was a face and figure surpassing human description, — a face and figure which once seen is never forgotten. Over the features of this sleeping beauty there played a most attractive expression, yet a mingled melan choly seemed to pervade the lovely countenance of the sleeper even in the midst of a delightful dream.

One gracefully formed hand hung over the side of the sofa, as if in search of something its owner missed ; the other clutched the pillow with a grasp that seemed almost directed by fear. So absorbed was Roland in contemplating every outline of this beautiful picture, that he did not notice, for a few moments, two dark figures leaning over the side of the sofa, with their backs towards him. The one was a powerfully built man, the other slender, graceful and upright. The sturdy man broke the silence. " Do it now," he said, " while she sleeps." "Is it the only chance?" murmured his companion. ? 15 " The only one we have. Everything is ripe for action. Why do you hesitate at such a moment as this ? " "Because we lack means." " Have you no knife ? " " My knife is blunt ; her screams would rend the rafters."

" Your speech is chicken-hearted. What need we fear ? This secluded place is buried in its own loneliness, and not a single soul knows we are here. You surely will not play the coward at such a time and in such a place ? " " I only dread her screams. In this ghost-haunted place her dying cries might wake some spirit to her rescue." " You make me fear ! We are the ghosts that haunt this wretched place. Pass me that other pillow — she shall not scream ; I'll choke her screams in death." As he spoke, the lovely creature on the sofa opened her eyes, and seeing the two men, gazed at them with features paled by terror. The thickset man snatched the pillow from his companion, and pressed it upon the upturned face. She struggled for a moment, then all was still, and with trembling fingers the wretched man withdrew the pillow.

Her features were entirely destitute of colour now ; the large eyes, which had lately opened so wildly with terror, were closed again, and the searching hand pressed on her bosom as if in agony. During this awful scene, which only lasted a few minutes, Roland Nellard remained transfixed with horror and astonishment. Once or twice he essayed to speak and move; but his tongue lost its power of action, and his limbs seemed fastened to the oaken floor ou which they were stretched. He could not utter a sound that might stay the execution of their murderous purpose; he could not lift an arm to defend the beautiful lady reposing on the sofa be fore him. Speechless he saw the pillow raised to smother her ; helpless and powerless he saw her struggle faintly against its force. His eyes were fixed on the scene before him as if they could never be withdrawn again ; his thoughts were concentrated ■7 with an intense interest on the woman lying in all her loveliness at the mercy of her foes.

A faint colour gradually returned to her face; a faint pink colour mingled with the white, and re lieved it of its former ghastliness. " She is alive ! " cried the slender man. " It's her spirit," muttered the other, in tones of awe ; and he shaded his face with one hand as if to hide from view the figure of his victim. Without speaking, his companion drew from his pocket a small packet, and sprinkled some of its contents over the girl's face. At the same moment a gust of wind coming through a broken window, drove the odour the powerful drug emitted towards Roland. Something stole over him with a strength even stronger than that of sleep ; he struggled to resist it, but could not. A mist rose before his eyes like the mist one sees on a November day; it grew stronger as he grew weaker ; the men's figures faded from his vision; the beautiful creature on the sofa grew dimmer and dimmer, till she vanished altoc gether.

Then the room lost its original form — it became part of his own home ; then his uncle's study; then it also vanished in the surrounding mist. Roland Nellard lay in the ghost-haunted chamber wrapt in the oblivion of insensibility.

Chapter II. Devilton's Bride

"Will Roland be here ?" These words were spoken by Eva Glance, as she stood in her father's study on the morning of her bridal day. Eva was of a slight figure, had dreamy eyes, resolute brows, chestnut hair, and a simple, frank expression of countenance. She was in her twenty-first year, and had returned to the home of her childhood only a few days before, from a prolonged visit to Paris. But Paris, with its gaiety, its fashions and its pride, was not suited to Eva's temperament ; she was too gentle for the bustle of a busy city, and too artless for the polite hypocrisy of that wonder ful capital. Possessing simple tastes, old-fashioned modesty, religious notions, and retiring habits, she was, as it were, alone in a place where fashion predominates, modesty is termed prudery, and religion ridiculed as unreal.

She expressed her feelings too candidly; she stated her opinions without reserve; she allowed herself to be moved by a tale of suffering, and roused to indignation by a recital of wrong. All this freedom and sentiment may be very nice in its way, but in an enlightened country it is considered foolishness. So Eva was snubbed by her French aunt, and sneered at by her casual companions, until she longed for home. Mr. Glance leaned back in his chair, and thought fully gazed at his daughter, his only child, before answering her question. He was a wealthy merchant, a city magnate, an alderman of the greatest city in the world. He rented a house in Woburn Square, near the beautiful building of Christ Church. Since his wife's death, which happened shortly after Eva's birth, he had resided here, and walked so regularly to the City in the morning, that the clock always struck ten as he crossed over St. Paul's Church yard.

"No," he replied, after a moment's consideration. " Why, wasn't he invited ? " " I particularly invited him, but he is prevented from being present to-day by illness. Madge told me so just now ; I thought you had seen her. You know Roland always was an excitable fellow, and some extraordinary excitement has evidently affected him now." Eva's colour had faded from her cheeks during her father's speech; and before he uttered the last word she crossed the room and stationed herself at his side. " I have not seen Madge yet. Is Roland very ill ? " she cried, earnestly scanning his face. " Oh, dear no," Mr. Glance answered reassuringly. His daughter seemed about to ask another question, but she stopped abruptly, and a short silence ensued. Mr. Glance had heard his nephew was taken ill directly he reached home, a fortnight back, and knowing where he spent the night before his return, felt confident his illness was not entirely un connected with ghosts.

Possessing a strong belief in the supernatural, his faith was almost as firm in ghostly visitors to this earth as it was in such miraculous events as the Creation, the Flood, and Christ's Nativity. It was this faith which made him address his daughter in a peculiarly solemn manner, as she stood silently beside him. "Are you afraid of ghosts, Eva?" he said, with an effort. " I have never seen one, papa." " Of course not ; but I mean, would you be afraid of living in a house inhabited by ghosts ? For instance, suppose there was a room in this house haunted by phantoms and the like, would you care to go into it ? " "I can scarcely say. I cannot see why a person should be afraid of a spirit which once inhabited a human form, unless they have done it some injury while it remained in this world.

But you know, papa, I never could bring myself to believe ghosts walk on earth, even though you are so confident they do. There seems something so awful in the idea that spirits, for some evil they have done, or some harm done to them while in this world, should wander about, seeking vengeance or suffering for their sins." Mr. Glance laid his hand on her shoulder, and, gently drawing her nearer, lowered his voice almost to a whisper. " My dear child," he said, " you have got your sceptical notions on this subject from your Cousin Roland. No doubt it will seem strange that I should commence such a serious topic of conversation on your wedding day ; but to me the subject is im portant and imperative, because it may affect your happiness. Now, your future home will be far away from London, over two hundred miles from here, in the wild and romantic county of Yorkshire.

It has been the property of your future husband's ancestors for centuries, and Devilton wishes to live there after his marriage. However, if you don't fancy the idea of living in this old place, I will per suade him to take a house elsewhere. The name of the house I am speaking of is Ghosts' Gloom, and it has been the scene of many a ghostly visit ; consequently you probably will not care to reside there." "My wishes should not be consulted, papa," said Eva in a low voice. "When I am married to Mr. Devilton he may live anywhere he likes, and I shall make no objection. As my husband, he takes me to his home ; and whatever kind of place it be, I shall endeavour to reconcile myself to it." " Don't you care for Devilton ? " " I know little of him as yet." " You seem sorrowful, my dear." "How can I be otherwise, when, in a few hours, I must leave you and my old home as the bride of a stranger.

Mr. Devilton will never be to me what you have been — he will never understand me as you do ; and I cannot think he really loves me half as much as you do. His face is fierce ; but he may be kind-hearted, and if he is, I shall probably grow to like him a little in time." She added the last sentence, as she noticed the painful expression her first words had made to pass over her father's face. She wished to hide from him how desperately her heart rebelled against the pro jected union. " Do you still cherish that fancy of former years ? " he asked. " No — not as I did once. Your advice and wishes have guided me in most things, and shall guide me in this. I can love Roland as a sister might love him now, and, of course, he has never entertained any other feeling towards me but one of cousinly affection."

"What if he had?" " Oh, papa, don't ask ! " exclaimed the girl, blush ing painfully. " Roland is too clever, too talented, to really love such a weak creature, or to entertain any feeling stronger than affectionate regard towards me. When he loves he will love a noble woman, with a powerful will; a woman born more to command and influence, than to obey and be influenced." " My dear child, if you seriously object to Devilton I will even now stop the marriage. My wish for this alliance is solely prompted by a promise I made, years ago, to the friend of my boyhood. He lay dying; I stood by his bedside, and my little motherless child slept in its cradle at some distance from us. Near the bed sat his son Caleb, a boy about ten years of age. My friend's thoughts wan dered from the scene around us to our college days, when we had often wished ourselves brothers. ' Herbert,' he said, ' we have both been left widowers lately ; a son has been left me, a daughter has been left you.

Will you endeavour to bring about their marriage when they come of age ? Until then let my son live abroad, for his mother's relatives are French. France is his native land; and if he con stantly sees your little daughter, they will never love each other.' I promised ; he died ; and I have fulfilled my promise. My own conviction is, that you will be very happy with Caleb Devilton ; never theless, if you do not think the same, we will even now stop the wedding." " I do not seriously object to Mr. Devilton, nor do I really dislike him; for during the little time we have spent together he has given me no cause to complain of his conduct. In all his actions towards me he has behaved as a gentleman should, and it would be foolish of me to allow prejudice, or unreturned affection, to withstand your wishes.

Be sides, I feel sure I have conquered the feeling I once entertained towards my cousin, and can meet him as unreservedly as I used to. Should I be mis taken in this belief, of course it will be my duty to entirely avoid him. Now I must leave you for a few minutes and complete my arrangements, and also welcome Madge." So saying, Eva affectionately kissed her father, and hurried from the room to hide her tears. The approaching sound of wheels roused Mr. Glance from the reverie into which he had fallen after his daughter left the room, and he rose to welcome his future son-in-law. Caleb Devilton was a man of about thirty years of age. He had an abundance of black shaggy hair, which fell nearly on to his shoulders, a heavy moustache, thick brows, and a fierce forbidding pair of eyes. His face was swarthy, his hands large, his tread heavy.