Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/43

 (cried Matilda) what is it you tell me; I tremble with apprehension; let us force that door, at all events." "I intend it, (answered Joseph) and have brought a bar with me for the purpose." The door in the dressing room being the slightest, after a good deal of labour, the old man burst it open. What a scene presented itself: a woman on the bed weltering in blood! Both uttered a cry of horror, and ran to the bed: it was the elderly attendant of the lady dead, by a wound in her throat.

The sight was too much for poor Matilda, she sunk fainting into a chair: Joseph was frightened out of his wits; he flew down as fast as possible, and returned with water, he bathed her face and hands, and she revived.

"O, Joseph! (cried she) the lady—the dear lady! what is become of her in such bloody hands?" "The Lord only knows, (answered he, looking with terror towards the closet.) Directed by his eye, Matilda arose and walked to the door; the key was in it; she unlocked it, and was about to enter, when casting her eyes on the floor, she saw it was all over stained with blood, dried into the floor—she started, and involuntarily retreated, but Joseph, who had looked round, said, "You may enter, madam, nothing is here." With trembling steps she entered the closet, her heart beating with terror; it was a large light closet, with a very high window, grated like the other, hung with dark green stuff; two stools covered with the same, and a large wardrobe in it. On the floor was plainly marked the shape of a hand and fingers traced in blood, which seemed to have flowed in great quantities. "Good heavens! (cried she) some person was doubtless murdered here too." "Intended to have been murdered, (answered Joseph, wiping his eyes) "but thank God she escaped then." He said no more. Matilda, extremely terrified, hastened out of the closet, when the poor creature on the bed met her eyes, "O, Joseph! (exclaimed she, turning with horror