intervals the shadow of his skeleton-shape darkened my path. I had believed

that I despised the grim phantom, and laughed his power to scorn.

Any other fate I should have met with courage, nay, have gone out gallantly

to encounter. But to be murdered thus at the midnight hour by cold-blooded

assassins, no friendly hand to close my eyes, or receive my parting

blessing--to die in combat, hate and execration--ah, why, my angel

love, didst thou restore me to life, when already I had stepped within the

portals of the tomb, now that so soon again I was to be flung back a

mangled corpse!

Hours passed--centuries. Could I give words to the many thoughts which

occupied me in endless succession during this interval, I should fill

volumes. The air was dank, the dungeon-floor mildewed and icy cold; hunger

came upon me too, and no sound reached me from without. To-morrow the

ruffian had declared that I should die. When would to-morrow come? Was it

not already here?

My door was about to be opened. I heard the key turn, and the bars and

bolts slowly removed. The opening of intervening passages permitted sounds

from the interior of the palace to reach me; and I heard the clock strike

one. They come to murder me, I thought; this hour does not befit a public

execution. I drew myself up against the wall opposite the entrance; I

collected my forces, I rallied my courage, I would not fall a tame prey.

Slowly the door receded on its hinges--I was ready to spring forward to

seize and grapple with the intruder, till the sight of who it was changed

514

The Last Man