Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 3.djvu/58

36 gushed over the dais and mingled with that from the corpse ; the head bounded several times on the crimsoned pavement, and then rolled at the feet of Charles. It dyed him with its blood.

Up to this moment surprise had held the King dumb, but this frightful spectacle unloosed his tongue. He stepped forward toward the dais, and, addressing himself to the figure who was clothed in the administrator's robes, he pronounced boldly the well-known form of words — " If thou art of God, speak; if thou art from the Other, leave us in peace."

The phantom spoke to him slowly in solemn tones —

" this blood will not be shed during your reign . . . " (here the voice grew less distinct) "but five reigns later. Woe, woe, woe to the House of Vasa!"

Then the spectres of the countless personages who formed this extraordinary assembly gradually became fainter, until they soon looked like coloured shadows, and then they completely disappeared. All the fantastic lights were extinguished, and those of Charles and his suite revealed only the old tapestries, slightly waving in the draught. They heard for some time after