Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/161

111 THE PICKWICK CLUB. HI

lip stairs. He had a word to say to me. I dismissed tlie servants. It was late, and we iere alone together— ^/br the Jirst time,

thought — and I gloried in the knowledge — that the lig-ht of madness gleamed from them like fire. We sat in silence for a few minutes. He spoke at last. My recent dissipation, and strange remarks, made so soon after his sister's death, were an insult to her memory. Coupling together many circumstances which had at first escaped his observa- tion, he thought I had not treated her well. He wished to know whether he was right in inferring that I meant to cast a reproach upon her memory, and a disrespect upon her family. It was due to the uni- form he wore, to demand this explanation.
 * ' I kept vy eyes carefully from him at first, for I knew what he little

" This man had a commission in the army — a commission, purchased with my money, and his sister's misery. This was the man who had been foremost in the plot to ensnare me, and grasp my wealth. This was the man who had been the main instrument in forcing his sister to wed me ; well knowing that her heart was given to that puling boy. Due ! Due to his uniform I The livery of his degradation ! I turned my eyes upon him — I could not help it — but I spoke not a word.

" I saw the sudden change that came upon him, beneath ray gaze. He was a bold man, but the colour faded from his face, and he drew back his chair. I dragged mine nearer to him ; and as I laughed — I was very merry then — I saw him shudder. I felt the madness rising within me. He was afraid of me.

" * You were very fond of your sister when she was alive* — I said —
 * Very.'

'* He looked uneasily round him, and I saw his hand grasp the back of his chair : but he said nothing.

" * You villain,' said I, * I found you out ; I discovered your hellish plots against me ; I know her heart was fixed on some one else before you compelled her to marry me. I know it — I know it.'

stand back — for I took care to be getting closer to him, all the time I spoke.
 * ' He jumped suddenly from his chair, brandished it aloft, and bid me

'' I screamed rather than talked, for I felt tumultuous passions eddying through my veins, and the old spirits whispering and taunting me to tear his heart out.

" * Damn you,' said I, starting up, and rushing upon him ; * I killed her. I am a madman. Down with you. Blood, blood, I will have it.'

" I turned aside with one blow, the chair he hurled at me in his terror, and closed with him ; and with a heavy crash, we rolled upon the floor together.

" It was a fine struggle that, for he was a tall strongman, fighting for his life ; and I, a powerful madman, thirsting to destroy him. I knew no strength could equal mine, and I was right. Right, again, though a madman I His struggles grew fainter. I knelt upon his chest, and clasped his brawny throat, firmly with both hands. His face grew purple ; his eyes were starting from his head, and with protruded tongue, he seemed to mock me. I squeezed the tighter.