LITMIR.BIZ

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Henry, and Marchdale, met in one of the lower rooms of the house, previous to starting upon their expedition; and after satisfying themselves that they had with them all the tools that were necessary, inclusive of the same small, but well-tempered iron crow-bar with which Marchdale had, on the night of the visit of the vampyre, forced open the door of Flora's chamber, they left the hall, and proceeded at a rapid pace towards the church.

      "And Flora does not seem much alarmed," said Marchdale, "at being left alone?"

      "No," replied Henry, "she has made up her mind with a strong natural courage which I knew was in her disposition to resist as much as possible the depressing effects of the awful visitation she has endured."

      "It would have driven some really mad."

      "It would, indeed; and her own reason tottered on its throne, but, thank Heaven, she has recovered."

      "And I fervently hope that, through her life," added Marchdale, "she may never have such another trial."

      "We will not for a moment believe that such a thing can occur twice."

      "She is one among a thousand. Most young girls would never at all have recovered the fearful shock to the nerves."

      "Not only has she recovered," said Henry, "but a spirit, which I am rejoiced to see, because it is one which will uphold her, of resistance now possesses her."

      "Yes, she actually—I forgot to tell you before—but she actually asked me for arms to resist any second visitation."

      "You much surprise me."

      "Yes, I was surprised, as well as pleased, myself."

      "I would have left her one of my pistols had I been aware of her having made such a request. Do you know if she can use fire-arms?"

      "Oh, yes; well."

      "What a pity. I have them both with me."

      "Oh, she is provided."

      "Provided?"

      "Yes; I found some pistols which I used to take with me on the continent, and she has them both well loaded, so that if the vampyre makes his appearance, he is likely to meet with rather a warm reception."

      "Good God! was it not dangerous?"

      "Not at all, I think."

      "Well, you know best, certainly, of course. I hope the vampyre may come, and that we may have the pleasure, when we return, of finding him dead. By-the-bye, I—I—. Bless me, I have forgot to get the materials for lights, which I pledged myself to do."

      "How unfortunate."

      "Walk on slowly, while I run back and get them."

      "Oh, we are too far—"

      "Hilloa!" cried a man at this moment, some distance in front of them.

      "It is Mr. Chillingworth," said Henry.

      "Hilloa," cried the worthy doctor again. "Is that you, my friend, Henry Bannerworth?"

      "It is," cried Henry.

      Mr. Chillingworth now came up to them and said—

      "I was before my time, so rather than wait at the church porch, which would have exposed me to observation perhaps, I thought it better to walk on, and chance meeting with you."

      "You guessed we should come this way?'

      "Yes, and so it turns out, really. It is unquestionably your most direct route to the church."

      "I think I will go back," said Mr. Marchdale.

      "Back!" exclaimed the doctor; "what for?"

      "I forgot the means of getting lights. We have candles, but no means of lighting them."

      "Make yourselves easy on that score," said Mr. Chillingworth. "I am never without some chemical matches of my own manufacture, so that as you have the candles, that can be no bar to our going on a once."

      "That is fortunate," said Henry.

      "Very," added Marchdale; "for it seems a mile's hard walking for me, or at least half a mile from the hall. Let us now push on."

      They did push on, all four walking at a brisk pace. The church, although it belonged to the village, was not in it. On the contrary, it was situated at the end of a long lane, which was a mile nearly from the village, in the direction of the hall, therefore, in going to it from the hall, that amount of distance was saved, although it was always called and considered the village church.

      It stood alone, with the exception of a glebe house and two cottages, that were occupied by persons who held situations about the sacred edifice, and who were supposed, being on the spot, to keep watch and ward over it.

      It was an ancient building of the early English style of architecture, or rather Norman, with one of those antique, square, short towers, built of flint stones firmly embedded in cement, which, from time, had acquired almost the consistency of stone itself. There were numerous arched windows, partaking something of the more florid gothic style, although scarcely ornamental enough to be called such. The edifice stood in the centre of a grave-yard, which extended over a space of about half an acre, and altogether it was one of the prettiest and most rural old churches within many miles of the spot.

      Many a lover of the antique and of the picturesque, for it was both, went out of his way while travelling in the neighbourhood to look at it, and it had an extensive and well-deserved reputation as a fine specimen of its class and style of building.

      In Kent, to the present day, are some fine specimens of the old Roman style of church, building; and, although they are as rapidly pulled down as the abuse of modern architects, and the cupidity of speculators, and the vanity of clergymen can possibly encourage, in older to erect flimsy, Italianised structures in their stead, yet sufficient of them remain dotted over England to interest the traveller. At Walesden there is a church of this description which will well repay a visit. This, then, was the kind of building into which it was the intention of our four friends to penetrate, not on an unholy, or an unjustifiable errand, but on one which, proceeding from good and proper motives, it was highly desirable to conduct in as secret a manner as possible.

      The moon was more densely covered by clouds than it had yet been that evening, when they reached the little wicket-gate which led into the churchyard, through which was a regularly used thoroughfare.

      "We have a favourable night," remarked Henry, "for we are not so likely to be disturbed."

      "And now, the question is, how are we to get in?" said Mr. Chillingworth, as he paused, and glanced up at the ancient building.

      "The doors," said George, "would effectually resist us."

      "How can it be done, then?"

      "The only way I can think of," said Henry, "is to get out one of the small diamond-shaped panes of glass from one of the low windows, and then we can one of us put in our hands, and undo the fastening, which is very simple, when the window opens like a door, and it is but a step into the church."

      "A good way," said Marchdale. "We will lose no time."

      They walked round the church till they came to a very low window indeed, near to an angle of the wall, where a huge abutment struck far out into the burial-ground.

      "Will you do it, Henry?" said George.

      "Yes. I have often noticed the fastenings. Just give me a slight hoist up, and all will be right."

      George did so, and Henry with his knife easily bent back some of the leadwork which held in one of the panes of glass, and then got it out whole. He handed it down to George, saying—

      "Take this, George. We can easily replace it when we leave, so that there can be no signs left of any one having been here at all."

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