"Sir Robert," muttered Dalton, "may well change the name of his dwelling
from Cecil Abbey to Cecil Place. Why, the very trees are manufactured
into Roundheads. But there is something more than ordinary a-foot, for
the lights are floating through the house as if it were haunted. The
sooner I make harbour, the better."
He paced rapidly forward, and stood before a small building that was
then called a porter's lodge, but which had formerly been designated the
Abbey Gate, and which, perhaps in consideration of its simple, but
singular, beauty, had been spared all modern alteration. The ivy that
clustered and climbed to its loftiest pinnacles added a wild and
peculiar interest to this remnant of ancient architecture. It contained
a high carriage archway, and a lateral passage beneath it, both
decorated with numerous ornamental mouldings and columns, flanked at
the angles by octagonal turrets of surpassing elegance. An apartment
over the arch, which, during the reign of monastic power, had been used
as a small oratory, for the celebration of early mass to the servants
and labourers of the convent, was now appropriated to the accommodation
of the porter and his family.
The Skipper applied his hand to the bell, and rang long and loudly. For
some time no answer was returned. Again he rang, and after much delay,
an old man was seen approaching from the house, bearing a torch, which
he carefully shaded from the night wind.
"My good friend," inquired the sailor in no gentle tone, "is it Sir
Robert's wish that those who come on business should be thus kept
waiting?"
"You know little of the affliction with which it has pleased the Lord to
visit Sir Robert, or you would not have rung so loudly: our good lady is
dying!" and the old man's voice faltered as he spoke the tidings.
"Indeed!" was the only reply of Dalton, as he passed under the archway;
but the word was spoken in a tone that evinced strong feeling. The
porter requested him to walk into the lodge.
"The place is in confusion; and as to seeing my master, it is a clear
impossibility; he has not left our lady's bedside these three days, and
the doctor says she will be gathered to her kindred before morning."
"He will leave even her to attend to me; and therefore, my friend, on
your own head be the responsibility if you fail to deliver to him this
token. I tell you," added Dalton, "death could hardly keep him from me!"