MELODRAMA POUR HIRE 217 



" ' Where dost thou see this vision ? ' demanded Alan. 



' Where ? ' echoed Lady Rookwood, becoming 



for the first time sensible of the presence of a stranger. 



' Ha — who are you that question me ? — what are 



you ? — speak ! ' 



" ' No matter who or what I am, 5 returned Alan ; 

 ' I ask vou what vou behold ? ' 



" ' Can you see nothing ? ' 



" ' Nothing,' replied Alan. 



" ' You knew Sir Piers Rookwood ? ' 

 1 ' Is it he ? ' asked Alan, drawing near her. 

 ' It is,' replied Lady Rookwood ; ' I have followed 

 him hither, and I will follow him whithersoever he leads 

 me, were it to ' 



" ' What doth he now ? ' asked Alan : ' do vou 

 see him still ? ' 



' The figure points to that sarcophagus,' returned 

 Lady Rookwood — ' can you raise up the lid ? ' 



1 ' No,' replied Alan ; ' my strength will not avail 

 to lift it.' 



Yet let the trial be made,' said Lady Rookwood ; 

 4 the figure points there still — my own arm shall aid 

 you.' 



' Alan watched her in dumb wonder. She advanced 

 towards the marble monument, and beckoned him to 

 follow. He reluctantly complied. Without any 

 expectation of being able to move the ponderous lid 

 of the sarcophagus, at Lady Rookwood's renewed 

 request he applied himself to the task. What was his 

 surprise when, beneath their united efforts, he found 

 the ponderous slab slowly revolve upon its vast 

 hinges, and, with little further difficulty, it was com- 

 pletely elevated, though it still required the exertion 

 of all Alan's strength to pro}) it open and prevent its 

 falling back. 



" ' W T hat does it contain ? ' asked Lady Rookwood. 



" ' A warrior's ashes,' returned Alan. 



There is a rusty dagger upon a fold of faded 

 linen.' cried Ladv Rookwood, holding down the 

 light. 



