Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/137

 rian;) I would not deprive you of so great a pleasure as seeing your lover's last breath expire for you." He was then dragged into the closet opposite to where I sat, and immediately repeated stabs were given with a short dagger, by the Count, through several parts of his body; his blood flowed in torrents, and with groans he fell on his face and expired. Great God! (cried she) here the scene never will be absent from my remembrance. I sat like one petrified; I neither spoke, shrieked, or groaned, but with my eyes fixed on the closet I appeared insensible to every thing. The inhuman Count was not satisfied; he came and dragged me to the closet, and seated me by the side of the body, the blood flowing round me. "Now, (said he) clasp your beloved Chevalier—now despise the old and cross-looking Count, (words I had once said in his hearing, long before I was married) and now enjoy the company of him for whom you despised your husband." Saying this, he ordered Margarite and Peter to leave the room; and finding I was still unable to speak or move, he pushed me farther into the closet, locked the door, and left me. How long I continued in this state, I know not; I believe I swooned, for it was day-light when I found myself on the floor, my clothes covered with blood, and the unhappy murdered Chevalier dead before me. 'Tis impossible to describe the horror of that moment; I found myself seized with violent pains; I began to think the monster had poisoned me—the idea gave me pleasure, and I endeavoured to bear my pangs without a groan; nature however asserted its claims; I became so very ill, I could be silent no longer, I groaned, I cried aloud. Presently the door was unlocked,—the Count and Margarite appeared; they saw me in agonies; "I am dying, barbarian; you will be satisfied, you have murdered a worthy man who never injured you—you have killed an innocent wife." I could say no more. Margarite cried out, "My Lord, my dear mistress is in labour,