1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:05,759 Speaker 1: The Lost Door by Dorothy Quick. I have often wondered 2 00:00:05,799 --> 00:00:08,240 whether I would have urged Rexler to come with me 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:10,880 if I had known what Rougemont would do to him. 4 00:00:11,439 --> 00:00:14,279 I think looking back, that even if I could have 5 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,079 glimpsed the future, I would have acted in the same way, 6 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:19,440 and that I would have brought him to Rougemont to 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,519 fulfill his destiny. As the boat cut its swift way 8 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,359 through the waters on its journey to France, I had 9 00:00:26,399 --> 00:00:30,079 no thought of this, nor had Rexler. He was happier 10 00:00:30,079 --> 00:00:32,479 than I had ever seen him. He had never been 11 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,079 abroad before, and the boat was a source of wonder 12 00:00:35,079 --> 00:00:38,079 and enjoyment to him. I myself was full of an 13 00:00:38,079 --> 00:00:42,159 eager anticipation of happy months to come. It hardly seemed 14 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,159 possible that only a week had elapsed since I received 15 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,000 the cable that had made such a change in my fortunes. 16 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:52,960 Your father died yesterday. You are sole heir provided you 17 00:00:53,039 --> 00:00:55,920 comply with the conditions of his will, the principal one 18 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:59,320 being that you spend six months of each year at Rougemont. 19 00:00:59,759 --> 00:01:04,000 If satisfactory, please come at once. It was signed by 20 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:09,079 my father's lawyer. I had no sorrow over my father's passing, 21 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,439 except a deep regret that we could not have known 22 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,959 the true relationship of father and son. At the death 23 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,840 of my mother, my father had grown bitter and refused 24 00:01:17,879 --> 00:01:21,480 to see the innocent cause of her untimely passing. As 25 00:01:21,519 --> 00:01:23,439 a baby, I had been brought up in the lodge 26 00:01:23,439 --> 00:01:27,840 of Rougemont, my father's magnificent chateau near Vichy. When I 27 00:01:27,879 --> 00:01:30,159 reached the age of four, I have been sent away 28 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:32,920 to boarding school. After that, my life had been a 29 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,439 succession of schools, first in France, the adopted land of 30 00:01:36,439 --> 00:01:40,799 my father, then England, and finally Saint Paul's in America. 31 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,079 In all justice to my parent, I must admit he 32 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,879 gave me every advantage except the affection I would have 33 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,959 cherished by his own wish. I had never seen him 34 00:01:49,959 --> 00:01:52,599 in life, nor would I see him in death or 35 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,319 A later cable advised me that the funeral was over 36 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:58,560 and his body already at rest in the beautiful Gothic 37 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:01,799 mausoleum he had had built in his lifetime after the 38 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,879 manner of the ancients. He had left me everything, with 39 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,240 only two injunctions, that a certain sum of money be 40 00:02:09,319 --> 00:02:12,719 set aside to keep the chateau always in its present condition, 41 00:02:13,039 --> 00:02:15,199 and that I should spend at least half my time 42 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,039 in it, and my children after me, a condition I 43 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:21,159 was only too pleased to accept all my life. I 44 00:02:21,199 --> 00:02:24,199 had longed for a home. I cabled at once that 45 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,000 I would sail. A return cable brought me the news 46 00:02:27,039 --> 00:02:30,159 that I had unlimited funds to draw upon. It was 47 00:02:30,319 --> 00:02:35,919 then that I urged Rexler to come with me. Rerexler 48 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:38,039 and I have been friends since the day when two 49 00:02:38,159 --> 00:02:40,759 lonely boys have been put by chance into the same 50 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,960 room at school. We were so utterly unlike. It was 51 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,840 perhaps the difference between us that held us together through 52 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:50,560 the years. At Saint Paul's and later at Princeton Gordon 53 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:53,120 Rexler had always been at the head of his class, 54 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:57,199 whereas I inevitably tagged along at the bottom. The contrast 55 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:59,479 between us was expressed not only in the color of 56 00:02:59,479 --> 00:03:03,039 our hair and eyes, but also in our dispositions. My 57 00:03:03,159 --> 00:03:05,639 greatest gift from fate was a sense of humor, and 58 00:03:05,719 --> 00:03:08,560 I suppose it was this quality of mind that particularly 59 00:03:08,599 --> 00:03:11,960 appealed to Werexler. It seems as though I was the 60 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,479 only one who could lift him out of the despondency 61 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:18,080 into which he often plunged. As the years passed and 62 00:03:18,159 --> 00:03:21,960 his tendency to depression intensified, he came to depend more 63 00:03:22,039 --> 00:03:26,520 and more upon me, and we grew closer together. Strangely enough, 64 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,120 the whiteness of his face and the gloom that exuded 65 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,039 from him did not detract from his good looks. It 66 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,759 only added to them. For the translucence of his skin 67 00:03:35,879 --> 00:03:38,199 made the thick black hair that lay close to his 68 00:03:38,319 --> 00:03:40,919 head all the darker, while at the same time it 69 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,280 brought out the deep black of his eyes and the 70 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:47,800 firm cut of his lips. The night before we landed, 71 00:03:47,919 --> 00:03:50,479 we were standing on the deck at the rail, looking 72 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:53,439 over the side, straining our eyes for the first glimpse 73 00:03:53,479 --> 00:03:56,879 of the lights of Sherberg, and Rexler spoke of himself 74 00:03:56,919 --> 00:03:58,960 for the first time since we had left New York. 75 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,759 I know, Jim. For perhaps the only time in my life, 76 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:05,400 I feel at peace, as though something that I should 77 00:04:05,439 --> 00:04:09,039 have done long ago has been at last accomplished. He 78 00:04:09,159 --> 00:04:12,039 was so solemn that I laughed a little. He stopped 79 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,879 me suddenly. It's true, I've always felt an urge within me, 80 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,160 a blinding force pushing me towards something that is waiting 81 00:04:19,199 --> 00:04:22,240 for me. Where I do not know what, I have 82 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:26,240 no idea. For the first time, it's gone that nameless 83 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,199 urge that I knew not how to satisfy. And I 84 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:33,240 feel that the call's being answered with the usual inanity 85 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,240 of people at a loss for words, I said the 86 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:38,639 first thing that came into my mind. Perhaps Rougemont has 87 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,959 been calling you. You've no idea. What a relief it is. 88 00:04:42,079 --> 00:04:45,439 He continued, Not to feel constantly pulled, with no way 89 00:04:45,439 --> 00:04:48,160 of knowing toward what or how to go about answering 90 00:04:48,199 --> 00:04:51,160 the summons. I have often thought that I should take 91 00:04:51,199 --> 00:04:54,439 my life. That that was what was meant. His voice 92 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:57,439 trailed off. This time, I was not at a loss 93 00:04:57,439 --> 00:05:00,279 for words. I started to read him a lecture would 94 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,319 have done credit to Martin Luther or John Knox. At 95 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,360 the end of my harangue, Rexler laughed a rare thing 96 00:05:06,439 --> 00:05:08,920 for him and put his arm through mine. All that's 97 00:05:08,959 --> 00:05:11,759 gone now, Didn't I tell you that, at last, in 98 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:16,639 some strange way, I am at peace. Rougemont's towers were 99 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,600 visible long before we reached the great iron gates that 100 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,759 had to be swung open to let us pass. For miles, 101 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:26,519 the great edifice dominated the landscape. The huge building had 102 00:05:26,519 --> 00:05:29,600 a soft, reddish tinge, from which I supposed it derived 103 00:05:29,639 --> 00:05:33,480 its name Red Mountain. It was a fairy tale palace 104 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,399 perched on a mountaintop. A great thrill went through me 105 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,920 as I realized that this beautiful chateau was mine. And 106 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,639 as we drove through the gates up the winding road 107 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,240 through my own forest, the pride of possession swelled up 108 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:48,199 in me, and for the first time I began to 109 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,399 understand why my father had never put his foot outside 110 00:05:51,399 --> 00:05:53,879 the great gates and the high wall that enclosed the 111 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:57,240 acres that now belonged to me. As we drove on 112 00:05:57,519 --> 00:06:00,800 up the winding narrow road, over the drawber that spanned 113 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:04,120 the moat into the courtyard, I understood more and more. 114 00:06:04,319 --> 00:06:08,240 Here was everything beauty such as I had never dreamed 115 00:06:08,519 --> 00:06:12,519 forrest stocked with game, running brooks full of fish, a lake, 116 00:06:12,759 --> 00:06:15,839 and farther off a farm I could glimpse its thatched 117 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:20,439 roofs to supply our wants. Rougemont was a world in itself. 118 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:23,680 The high carved door was swung open as Wrexler and 119 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:27,480 I got out of the car. Monsieur de Carrier, my 120 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:30,920 father's lawyer, advanced to meet us a friendly smile on 121 00:06:31,079 --> 00:06:35,639 his Santa Claus countenance. I shook hands introduced Rexler as 122 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:37,879 a very good friend, who is going to stay with me. 123 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:43,439 Monsieur Carrier's face fell clearly Rexler's being with me was 124 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:47,839 a disappointment. Nevertheless, he greeted him politely as he ushered us. 125 00:06:47,879 --> 00:06:51,639 In that moment, Rougemont took me to its heart and 126 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:55,800 won me for its own. Imagine Amboise or any of 127 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:59,240 the great French chateau suddenly restored to itself as it 128 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,439 was in the day of the medici And you have 129 00:07:01,519 --> 00:07:05,120 a small idea of Rougemont, for we had stepped out 130 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:08,800 of the present into the past. Carrier, Wexler and I 131 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:13,000 were anachronisms. Everything else was in keeping with the dead sentries. 132 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,279 Even the servants were in doublet and hose of a 133 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:20,920 sort of Cerellian blue, with great sashes puffed with crimson silk. 134 00:07:21,519 --> 00:07:25,079 I think I gasped at any rate. Monsieur Carrier saw 135 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,480 my astonishment. It is your father's will, my boy. He 136 00:07:28,639 --> 00:07:31,639 always kept it so, and wore the costume of former 137 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:36,079 days himself. He greatly admired the first Francis. In your 138 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,240 rooms you will find costumes prepared for you. For the 139 00:07:39,319 --> 00:07:41,759 last six months of his life, he was making ready 140 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,439 for his son. There was an odd sort of pride 141 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,000 in Carrier's voice. I remembered now that my father had 142 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,720 written for my measurements. I had thought he meant to 143 00:07:50,759 --> 00:07:53,279 make me a present. But when time passed and I 144 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,800 heard nothing, the incident had slipped from my mind. I 145 00:07:56,879 --> 00:07:59,680 looked at Rexler, expecting to see some sign of a 146 00:07:59,759 --> 00:08:02,959 muse on his face, but he stood quietly, looking at 147 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,720 the tapestry that hung half way up the grand stairway. 148 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:09,040 There was a dreamy, far away expression in his eyes. 149 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,759 May I speak before your friend, Carrier asked. I nodded. 150 00:08:14,079 --> 00:08:17,560 The servants had already disappeared with our luggage. I threw 151 00:08:17,639 --> 00:08:20,959 myself down on a long low bench, and Carrier sat 152 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:25,000 opposite me. You understood the terms of your father's will, 153 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:29,160 of course, Carrier began that you must live here six months, 154 00:08:29,399 --> 00:08:31,399 But you did not know that you must live here 155 00:08:31,519 --> 00:08:34,399 as he did in the past. If you do not, 156 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,559 then Rougemont goes to your father's steward, with the same 157 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:41,039 conditions to be kept always as it is, with only 158 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:45,039 a small sum set aside for you. I said nothing. 159 00:08:45,519 --> 00:08:48,919 Driving along the road from Paris, it would have seemed fantastic, 160 00:08:49,399 --> 00:08:52,519 but here, under the spell of Rougemont, it seemed as 161 00:08:52,519 --> 00:08:57,039 though anything else would be impossible. Carrier went on, you 162 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,759 will be the grand signan lord of the manor and 163 00:08:59,799 --> 00:09:02,720 the old style. You may have your guests if you like, 164 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:05,919 but they too must conform with the rules. Here he 165 00:09:06,039 --> 00:09:08,960 glanced at Rexler, who stood still as though he were 166 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,159 in a trance. The other six months, you are free 167 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,279 to do as you please, spend what you like of 168 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:18,159 the money not needed for Rougemont, that is, if you 169 00:09:18,279 --> 00:09:22,159 want to go anywhere else. Evidently he had finished his 170 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,639 speech at the time. I did not recognize the significance 171 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:28,679 of his last words. I am willing to submit to 172 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:33,039 the conditions. Only a sudden thought struck me. I don't 173 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:35,720 want to lose all touch with the outside world. Can 174 00:09:35,759 --> 00:09:38,360 I go to 'chi to get papers and so forth? 175 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:42,080 I don't suppose they had papers in Francis first's time, 176 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:47,799 Monsieur de Carrier smiled, My dear boy, your father didn't 177 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:50,120 wish to make a prisoner of you. You may go 178 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,240 to Vch if you like, but you must not be 179 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:55,799 away from Rougemont more than twenty four consecutive hours during 180 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,879 the six months you are in residence. So far as 181 00:09:58,919 --> 00:10:01,559 the papers, et cetera are concerned, they will be at 182 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:04,559 the lodge. There is also a telephone, and your own 183 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,600 clothes will be kept there after to night. Nothing of 184 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,720 nineteen thirty five must come within these walls. But you 185 00:10:10,759 --> 00:10:12,840 have freach to go to the lodge any time you 186 00:10:12,879 --> 00:10:15,480 want to. You can get in touch with me also 187 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:19,240 if you desire further information. De Lacy, the steward will 188 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,279 look out for you. He knows your father's ways. Now 189 00:10:22,399 --> 00:10:25,639 permit me to congratulate you and say, au revoirs. My 190 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:29,440 young friend. Monsieur de Carriere got up on his stubby 191 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:32,720 fat legs, made a little bow to me another to Rexler, 192 00:10:32,799 --> 00:10:37,799 which went unheeded. I too arose. It will seem strange, 193 00:10:37,919 --> 00:10:41,759 but I'll do my best. One other thing, Monsieur de 194 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:45,039 Carriere was all of a sudden very grave. In two 195 00:10:45,039 --> 00:10:47,879 weeks time, you will be given a key. It unlocks 196 00:10:47,919 --> 00:10:50,720 a casket you will find in the library. In it 197 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,919 you will find a message from your father. Adieu, my boy, 198 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,679 I wish you well. With a click of the heels 199 00:10:56,679 --> 00:11:00,720 and a friendly smile, he was gone. I turned to Rexler, 200 00:11:01,279 --> 00:11:04,039 What do you think of it? I asked. Grexler did 201 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:07,519 not answer. He stood gazing up at the stairway. The 202 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:12,200 wide marble stairs curved upwards along the sides. The intricate 203 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:17,919 carving was beautiful in its lacy delicateness. At that moment, however, 204 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,200 I was alarmed for my friend. His attitude was rigid 205 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,960 and his eyes were glassy. I put my hand on 206 00:11:24,039 --> 00:11:29,600 his shoulder, Rerexler. My action galvanized him to life. Another 207 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:32,320 minute and she would have reached the last step. Now 208 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,519 she is gone. This was madness. There had been no 209 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:39,480 one there, I said as much. Grexler turned and faced me. 210 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:43,559 But there was, he said eagerly, the most beautiful girl 211 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,759 I have ever seen, all done up in some old costume, 212 00:11:47,159 --> 00:11:50,840 great wide skirts, little waists, and a high lace collar. 213 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:55,080 She had bronze curl, great blue eyes, and the loveliest 214 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:58,919 face I saw her immediately we came in. She looked 215 00:11:58,919 --> 00:12:02,440 at both of us. She smiled at me. I was 216 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,000 in a quandary until now. I had not given the 217 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,399 staircase more than a perfunctory glance. For all I knew 218 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,000 she might have been one of the servants peeping to 219 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:15,200 see her new master. To Rexler, impressionable strange creature that 220 00:12:15,279 --> 00:12:18,159 he was. One glance might have so registered on his 221 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:21,000 mind that he kept on seeing her. For certainly she 222 00:12:21,039 --> 00:12:23,919 had not been there when I looked. It seemed best 223 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,159 to make light of the whole matter. Anyway, she's gone now, 224 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,120 at least I can explain the costume. I take it 225 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:34,559 you didn't hear Carrier's announcements. Rexler shook his head. I 226 00:12:34,639 --> 00:12:38,159 proceeded to enlighten him. Instead of teasing me about the 227 00:12:38,159 --> 00:12:41,440 strange conditions my father's will had imposed on me. He 228 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:45,399 was enthusiastic about the idea. It's the one period in 229 00:12:45,519 --> 00:12:48,919 history that has always interested me. Jim were in luck. 230 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:53,120 Imagine stepping back into Medici, France for six months, shutting 231 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:56,159 out the world. Who knows but that Catherine herself may 232 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:59,879 have stayed here, or Marguerite de Valois, the Marguerite of 233 00:13:00,039 --> 00:13:03,679 Marguerite's beautiful, but no more beautiful than that girl on 234 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:06,360 the stairs. I can hardly wait to see her again. 235 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,399 I heartily hoped that he would see her, and that 236 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,919 she was not entirely a creature of his imagination. If 237 00:13:12,919 --> 00:13:15,360 she was real, I too was eager to meet her, 238 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,159 Rexler interrupted my thoughts. I feel as though I had 239 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:23,000 come home, he said, I'm crazy to explore. Let's shed 240 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,360 these ugly things and begin to really live. Why it's 241 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,039 been this I've been waiting for. It's lucky we're the 242 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:33,200 same size. Out of his irrelevance, I'd gathered the trend 243 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,080 of his thought. I wonder where we go? I began, 244 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,279 almost as though he had heard my words. A tall, 245 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:43,120 commanding figure stepped into the hall. He was attired richly 246 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:45,799 in damask of a lovely soft blue, with the same 247 00:13:45,879 --> 00:13:49,240 sashes of crimson that the servant Livery had shown, but 248 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:52,559 in this case of finer material. He was a handsome 249 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:55,399 man of about thirty four. His beard was pointed, and 250 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:59,120 he had a small mustache. His long legs were encased 251 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,840 in silken hope, and he wore a dagger thrust through 252 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:05,879 his belt. De Lacey at your service, my lord, he announced, 253 00:14:05,879 --> 00:14:08,879 as he made a deep bow. I extended my hand, 254 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:10,840 somewhat at a loss to know how to greet my 255 00:14:10,879 --> 00:14:13,960 father's steward, who was clearly a man of some importance, 256 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,240 and who, but for me, would be owner of Rougemont. 257 00:14:17,879 --> 00:14:20,519 Instead of shaking hands, he dropped on one knee and 258 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:23,840 kissed my hand, a proceeding which embarrassed me very much. 259 00:14:24,919 --> 00:14:27,120 On motioning him to rise, he did so with a 260 00:14:27,159 --> 00:14:30,639 lithe grace. I suppose you want to change your strange clothes, 261 00:14:30,679 --> 00:14:35,159 my lord, and see your quarters. I nodded and introduced Wexler. 262 00:14:35,759 --> 00:14:39,279 De Lacey bowed, Monsieur Wexler would like to be near you. 263 00:14:39,879 --> 00:14:42,879 Then he added, we have some thirty or forty sweets, 264 00:14:42,879 --> 00:14:46,080 my lord. Werexler said he would prefer to be close 265 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,679 at hand, and together we followed De Lacey up the 266 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:52,639 marble stairway into a new world. Wexler was at ease 267 00:14:52,759 --> 00:14:56,639 immediately in his doublet and hose. The rich embroidered garments 268 00:14:56,639 --> 00:14:59,360 seemed to suit him as modern clothes. Never did he 269 00:14:59,399 --> 00:15:02,679 looked handso than ever. He also told me that the 270 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,519 costume of the Medici was becoming to me, and truly, 271 00:15:05,559 --> 00:15:08,480 when I caught a glimpse of myself mirrored in the pond, 272 00:15:08,559 --> 00:15:11,519 for the chateau did not possess a large mirror, I 273 00:15:11,639 --> 00:15:14,399 was not ill pleased with the result. But by the 274 00:15:14,519 --> 00:15:16,600 end of the week I still felt strange in my 275 00:15:16,679 --> 00:15:20,080 new attire. Whereas Wrexler, from the beginning wore his as 276 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:24,440 if to the manner born. But I anticipate that first 277 00:15:24,559 --> 00:15:27,120 night we donned. Two of the outfits which the valet 278 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,399 whom De Lacey introduced me to had put out our 279 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:34,200 own clothes disappeared, and, much to my annoyance, with them 280 00:15:34,279 --> 00:15:39,120 my cigarettes. We ate dinner in state upon a raised 281 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,879 dais at one end of the great hall. At either 282 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:45,039 side below us were long narrow tables filled with people, 283 00:15:45,399 --> 00:15:47,679 dressed also in keeping with the period. They made a 284 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:51,600 wonderful picture and comprised. I supposed my court or retinue. 285 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:54,559 De Lacey presented me to them with a flourish and 286 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,159 they all filed by and kissed my hand, then went 287 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,919 to their places. When Wrexler and I were seated, they 288 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:04,320 two sat down. When I began to talk, they filled 289 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:07,679 the hall with gay chattering. From a minstrel gallery at 290 00:16:07,679 --> 00:16:10,639 the other end of the room came soft strains of music. 291 00:16:11,639 --> 00:16:15,159 De Lacey stood behind me pouring my wine. One thing 292 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:17,480 I noticed was that in the whole room, and there 293 00:16:17,559 --> 00:16:20,039 must have been two hundred people at least, there were 294 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,320 no older men or women. In fact, De Lacey was 295 00:16:23,399 --> 00:16:26,279 the oldest of the lot. The others ranged from about 296 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:29,720 sixteen to thirty. How did my father get all these 297 00:16:29,759 --> 00:16:33,600 people together? I asked De Lacey. Most of them, my Lord, 298 00:16:33,639 --> 00:16:37,080 were born at Rougemont. Still others were adopted and brought 299 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:39,679 here almost as soon as they were born. None of 300 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:43,320 us has ever been outside Rougemont Gates. De Lacey was 301 00:16:43,399 --> 00:16:46,559 quite matter of fact as he made his statement. Grexler 302 00:16:46,679 --> 00:16:48,960 was searching the hall with his eyes as he listened 303 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,360 to my steward and you, I looked at De Lacey. 304 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,200 I too, my Lord, know nothing of your outside world, 305 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,799 nor do I want to. Why should I? Who am 306 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,759 happy here? My family lived down at the farm. But 307 00:17:01,879 --> 00:17:05,160 his Highness your father became interested in me. He brought 308 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:08,240 me into the chateau, had me educated, and looked after 309 00:17:08,319 --> 00:17:12,319 me himself. Eventually he made me Steward of Rougemont. It 310 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,519 is a great honor, he conferred upon me, and I 311 00:17:14,559 --> 00:17:16,960 shall do my best to help you, my Lord. Of 312 00:17:17,039 --> 00:17:19,920 a sudden I saw what my father's life work had been, 313 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:23,680 to rear a court to people Rougemont. My father had 314 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:27,119 been twenty five at my mother's death. He had died 315 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:30,079 at fifty eight. He had had thirty three years to 316 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:33,319 make his dream come true. Where are the parents of 317 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:36,559 the ones who were born at Rougemont, at their own 318 00:17:36,599 --> 00:17:40,000 places or the farms. My Lord Rougemont has over a 319 00:17:40,079 --> 00:17:43,640 thousand acres and several manners upon it, where people whom 320 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:47,519 his Highness your father advanced over others live. They all 321 00:17:47,559 --> 00:17:49,920 served their ruler in some way in return for what 322 00:17:50,039 --> 00:17:52,680 is given them. Only the people of the lodge are 323 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,200 in touch with the outside, which we have been taught 324 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,359 to look upon with scorn. Here we have everything, and 325 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,960 to be taken to the chateau ITTs is the ambition 326 00:18:01,079 --> 00:18:04,559 of every one on the estate. I saw it all, 327 00:18:04,839 --> 00:18:07,960 not of course, every intricacy of the elaborate system my 328 00:18:08,039 --> 00:18:10,759 father had evolved, but at least a glimmer of the truth. 329 00:18:11,039 --> 00:18:13,039 And I marveled at the character of a man who 330 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:15,200 had taken children out of the world to make his 331 00:18:15,279 --> 00:18:17,720 own world, and then had the patience to wait for 332 00:18:17,799 --> 00:18:20,640 them to grow up to form his court. The court 333 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:24,319 he planned for me. Yes, in my egotism, I thought 334 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,079 it was for me. Two weeks were to pass before 335 00:18:27,079 --> 00:18:31,279 I learned what his real reason had been. Into my reflections, 336 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:35,440 Rexler broke abruptly. She is not here, asked de Lacey 337 00:18:35,519 --> 00:18:38,160 about her her beauty haunts me already I am in 338 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:42,480 love with her. I was not surprised. Nothing I felt 339 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:45,160 could at this point surprise me. So much had happened 340 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,200 in the last few hours. If my father had arisen 341 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,799 from the floor like Hamlet's ghost, I would have greeted 342 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:54,440 him quite casually. Is there a young girl here with 343 00:18:54,559 --> 00:18:58,559 bronze curls and blue eyes? I asked obediently. A shadow 344 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:03,000 crossed De Lacey's hands face for the first time. He hesitated. 345 00:19:03,519 --> 00:19:06,720 There was no one here that answers that description. May 346 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:10,160 I ask why you, my friend saw her on the stairway. 347 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,880 I caught a murmur from De Lacey's lips so soon 348 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:17,279 it sounded like But before I could question further, he 349 00:19:17,319 --> 00:19:20,680 said aloud, I have leave to depart and join my lady, 350 00:19:20,759 --> 00:19:23,240 And before I could answer, he bowed himself away to 351 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:26,640 take a seat at one of the tables below. Wexler 352 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:30,240 looked over his wine goblet. The man lied, I saw 353 00:19:30,319 --> 00:19:33,880 recognition of the description in his eyes. We'll get the 354 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:36,880 truth out of him later, I countered, isn't it fine 355 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,599 to actually eat chicken with your fingers and not feel 356 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:44,440 your committing a social error. We did not get any 357 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:48,799 information out of De Lacey. Later, to Wrexler's insistent questionings, 358 00:19:48,839 --> 00:19:52,119 he was at first noncommittal, and after a bit downright 359 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:56,279 kurt I poured oil on the troubled waters by suggesting that, 360 00:19:56,319 --> 00:19:58,480 as it was late, we would wait until morning to 361 00:19:58,519 --> 00:20:01,640 see the library and the left of the chateau. With 362 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:04,920 a smile of relief, De Lacey ushered us to our chambers. 363 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,720 My retiring was a kind of ceremony. It amused me, 364 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:10,920 but I had a nagging little thought in the back 365 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,480 of my mind that all this etiquette will become boring 366 00:20:13,559 --> 00:20:17,200 after a while. As the last man bowed himself out 367 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,359 of my room, De Lacey bent low. My lord, there 368 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,680 are guards at your door. You have only to call 369 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:26,519 if you require anything. I thanked him once more greatly, 370 00:20:26,559 --> 00:20:29,920 to my embarrassment. He again kissed my hand, your servant 371 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,920 to the death. He cried, and drew the curtains about 372 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:36,720 my high canopied bed. I knew that outside the red 373 00:20:36,799 --> 00:20:40,200 damask two huge candles were burning, but the curtains shut 374 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,160 out their light, and I was smothered in darkness. I 375 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,640 made a mental note that I must arrange somehow for 376 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,839 air in my room. The French idea of banishing night 377 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:52,400 air did not coincide with my American habits. My thoughts 378 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:55,279 were racing back and forth among the strange events of 379 00:20:55,319 --> 00:20:58,000 the day. But before I could focus them into any 380 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:02,240 kind of order, sleep descend upon me. I had a 381 00:21:02,279 --> 00:21:05,759 strange dream. In it, the most beautiful woman I had 382 00:21:05,799 --> 00:21:10,240 ever seen came and parted the red damas curtains framed 383 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:13,079 against the dark oak panels of my room. She stood 384 00:21:13,079 --> 00:21:16,400 looking down upon me. Her hair was red gold, and 385 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,440 her eyes had all the sapphire tints of the world 386 00:21:19,559 --> 00:21:23,680 stored in their depths. Her pale white face was oval 387 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:27,319 in shape and balanced perfectly upon a slender neck. Her 388 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:31,279 lips were sweetly curved, and her nose delicately shaped. As 389 00:21:31,319 --> 00:21:33,680 she bent over me, I could see the rounded curve 390 00:21:33,759 --> 00:21:37,440 of her bosom. One slim hand reached out and touched 391 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:40,160 my cheek. It was like the touch of a falling 392 00:21:40,279 --> 00:21:43,720 rose petal. In my dream, I lay asleep, yet I 393 00:21:43,799 --> 00:21:46,960 was conscious of this lovely creature. I watched her through 394 00:21:47,039 --> 00:21:50,279 closed eyelids and held my breath, hoping she would kiss me. 395 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:53,720 It seemed as though I had never desired anything so much. 396 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:57,079 A half smile hovered on her lips, but her eyes 397 00:21:57,119 --> 00:22:01,480 told me nothing. She leaned lower. A faint perfume pervaded 398 00:22:01,519 --> 00:22:04,720 my senses, and then I felt her lips upon my forehead. 399 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:08,319 A great cold swept over me at her touch, swept 400 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:11,680 me down down into blackness, and I knew no more. 401 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,440 When I awoke, the sun was pouring through the opened curtains. 402 00:22:16,799 --> 00:22:19,720 I reached for a cigarette. My first conscious thought, upon 403 00:22:19,759 --> 00:22:23,319 awakening and not finding my case under the pillow, suddenly 404 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:27,240 realized my new surroundings. At the same time, I remembered 405 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:30,480 my dream. Rexler and his talk of a red haired 406 00:22:30,519 --> 00:22:33,319 beauty is responsible for that, I thought. As I clapped 407 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:36,599 my hands. De Lacey came in so quickly I knew 408 00:22:36,599 --> 00:22:39,440 he must have been waiting outside the door. He started 409 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:41,839 when he saw the curtain of my bed had been opened. 410 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,599 Did you not pull them? I asked. He shook his head. 411 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:49,160 I said no more, and the ceremony of my arising began. 412 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:53,680 When I had bathed in a great sunken tub. Fortunately 413 00:22:53,839 --> 00:22:56,920 Diana de Poitier had had her daily bath in the 414 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:01,160 far off time. I sought Rexler to gather. We breakfasted, 415 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,319 and then I announced to De Lacey that we wished 416 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:06,160 to inspect the rest of the chateau. He led us 417 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,839 to the left wing and took us through Sweet after Sweet, 418 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:12,920 Beautifully furnished, the chateau was a veritable treasured house. An 419 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,640 antiquarian would have gone mad with delight. I noticed that 420 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,839 De Lacey avoided two heavily built doors opposite the ball 421 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:23,640 room when we returned from our tour. I stopped before them, 422 00:23:24,119 --> 00:23:28,079 and here I asked the picture gallery, my lord. He 423 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:32,279 responded unwillingly and swung the doors open. There was an 424 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:36,599 unhappy expression on his face. The room was long and narrow, 425 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:39,880 and the walls, except for the windows, were lined with portraits. 426 00:23:40,319 --> 00:23:42,920 He walked slowly down the length of the room, looking 427 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:45,839 at the portraits of the dead and gone race, the 428 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:51,000 former owners of the chateau. I asked De Lacey nodded Suddenly. 429 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,119 I looked at the part of the room facing the 430 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:55,839 door which he had entered. At first, we had been 431 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:58,680 too far away to distinguish anything about it, except that 432 00:23:58,720 --> 00:24:01,440 there was only one large painting hanging in the center. 433 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:04,359 Now that I was nearer, I could see the painting, 434 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:06,960 and I caught my breath in astonishment, For there was 435 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:09,799 the portrait of the lady of my dream, smiling down 436 00:24:09,839 --> 00:24:13,559 on me. Rerexler caught my arm. That's the girl, the 437 00:24:13,599 --> 00:24:16,640 one I saw on the stairs. That is the portrait 438 00:24:16,759 --> 00:24:20,799 of Eleaine, Mademoiselle de Harcour, daughter of the Lord of Harcour, 439 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:25,079 who owned this chateau. De Lacey's voice broke in. Brexler 440 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:30,839 and I exclaimed simultaneously, But I and she is. De 441 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:33,920 Lacey looked at us strangely. It is from her that 442 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:38,680 the chateau got its new name, Rougemont Red Mountain. Before 443 00:24:38,799 --> 00:24:43,480 that it was called Hotel de Harcours. Mademoiselle Elaine was 444 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:46,319 very beautiful, as you can see messieurs, and she had 445 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:49,440 many suitors. At last, from among them she chose an 446 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:53,680 English lord, one of the discarded lovers, Black George. Le 447 00:24:53,839 --> 00:24:56,799 George Noir vowed that she should not belong to the 448 00:24:56,839 --> 00:25:02,359 Englishman or ever leave Rougemont. She laughed, Mademoiselle Elene and 449 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:06,039 her father, the Lord de Haucour, laughed too, for he 450 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:08,759 had many men at arms and was rich and powerful. 451 00:25:09,359 --> 00:25:13,200 Black George did not laugh. He only set his lips grimly. 452 00:25:15,319 --> 00:25:18,359 The wedding day came, and the beautiful Elene married the 453 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:21,200 English lord in the Great Hall. But just as he 454 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,200 took her in his arms for the nuptial kiss, there 455 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:28,680 arose a great noise outside. It was Black George attacking 456 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:33,079 the chateau. The English Lord, with Helene's kiss still warm 457 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:36,119 upon his lips, went forth to battle. There was a 458 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:39,319 fight such as these peaceful lands had never seen, and 459 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:43,400 the mountain ran red with blood. Black George was the victor. 460 00:25:43,759 --> 00:25:47,119 He slew the Englishman, he slew the Lord of Hawcall, 461 00:25:47,519 --> 00:25:50,599 and his men hacked to pieces the defenders of the chateau. 462 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:54,839 Black George, followed by his men, their swords red with blood, 463 00:25:55,039 --> 00:25:58,440 came into the Great Hall, where Elene de haco sat 464 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:01,519 on the throne, her face whiter than her wedding dress. 465 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:05,119 Black George flung her lover's body at her feet, and 466 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:07,440 the women of the household, who were crouched about the 467 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:11,920 throne cried aloud with terror. The fair Eleine did not cry, 468 00:26:12,079 --> 00:26:15,599 nor did she moan. She only looked straight at Black George, 469 00:26:15,920 --> 00:26:18,920 and there was that in her gaze that silenced everyone 470 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:22,440 in the Great Hall. Even Black George stepped back a pace. 471 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:26,839 Then Elene de Hacour rose and went down to her love, 472 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:30,079 the English Lord for a brief moment had been her husband. 473 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:33,559 She knelt beside him and kissed his cold lips. Then 474 00:26:33,559 --> 00:26:36,279 she took her wedding veil and laid it over his body. 475 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,519 All the while there was silence in the Great Hall 476 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:42,799 while men and women watched the slim girl say farewell 477 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,079 to the man she loved. They watched almost as though 478 00:26:46,119 --> 00:26:49,200 they were under a spell. But as the veil fell 479 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:52,799 into place, Black George laughed a long laugh that rang 480 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:55,559 through the room. Then he turned to his followers and 481 00:26:55,599 --> 00:26:59,079 cried loudly, The women are yours. Take them as you will, 482 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,400 all but the one who belongs to me. He gestured 483 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:07,720 toward Elaine and laughed again. Elaine de Harcour stood erect 484 00:27:07,839 --> 00:27:12,680 and pointed her slender hand at Black George. Wait, she cried, 485 00:27:13,039 --> 00:27:15,119 and there was a quality in her voice that made 486 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:18,839 her listeners tremble. I shall belong to no one until 487 00:27:18,920 --> 00:27:22,119 my lover comes for me, And till he comes, Woe 488 00:27:22,119 --> 00:27:25,599 to you, Black George, who are well named. Woe to 489 00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:27,880 you and to all men, for I curse you with 490 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:31,200 a mighty curse, the curse of a broken heart. And 491 00:27:31,319 --> 00:27:34,359 I curse all men for their black and bitter deeds. 492 00:27:34,799 --> 00:27:38,319 Year after year, century after century. I will take my 493 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:41,559 vengeance for the wrongs I have suffered, and no man 494 00:27:41,599 --> 00:27:44,359 shall be free until my lover comes again and we 495 00:27:44,519 --> 00:27:48,279 find bliss together. And while the eyes of the whole 496 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:51,519 hall were riveted upon her, she plunged the dagger she 497 00:27:51,519 --> 00:27:54,559 had taken from her lover's belt into her heart. For 498 00:27:54,599 --> 00:27:57,960 a second she stood swaying. Then she crumpled and fell 499 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:02,319 beside the English lord. Black George caught her and held 500 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:05,920 her in his arms. My curse upon you, Black George, 501 00:28:06,079 --> 00:28:10,640 she cried. Black George could also curse, never shall you 502 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:13,680 leave Rougemont to find your lover, and never shall he 503 00:28:13,759 --> 00:28:17,240 come until and then his voice died away as her 504 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:21,079 head fell backward over his arm. The fair Elaine was 505 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:24,440 beyond his reach. For a minute more. The people in 506 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:26,960 the Great Hall were paralyzed by the force of the 507 00:28:27,079 --> 00:28:29,799 terrible words that they had heard. But with the girl's 508 00:28:29,839 --> 00:28:32,160 death they were released from the spell, and a fury 509 00:28:32,279 --> 00:28:35,240 swept over the men. They rushed upon the women and 510 00:28:35,319 --> 00:28:39,359 dragged them forth. Black George took Elaine's body and carried 511 00:28:39,359 --> 00:28:42,279 it away, but where he buried her no one knew, 512 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:45,240 nor could any discover. For the next day he was 513 00:28:45,319 --> 00:28:48,240 found in the great hall raving mad, and the people 514 00:28:48,319 --> 00:28:51,920 said that Elaine's curse was a potent one, that already 515 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:54,519 it had greaped vengeance on the one who had wronged 516 00:28:54,519 --> 00:28:59,119 her most. From that day the chateau was called Rougemont. 517 00:28:59,799 --> 00:29:02,440 The u to Hawcus were all dead, and the place 518 00:29:02,519 --> 00:29:05,759 fell into other hands. There grew up the rumor that 519 00:29:05,799 --> 00:29:09,640 the chateau was haunted, that the fair Elaine roamed its halls, 520 00:29:09,720 --> 00:29:12,440 cut off from her lover, doomed to stay within these 521 00:29:12,480 --> 00:29:17,160 walls by Black George's curse. De Lacey's silent Wrexler and 522 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:20,359 I looked at the portrait. My own feelings were in 523 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:23,839 a turmoil. It had been a ghost's lips that had 524 00:29:23,839 --> 00:29:27,039 touched me last night. Yet surely no ghosts could have 525 00:29:27,119 --> 00:29:31,279 been so beautiful or seemed so real. Rerexler turned to me, 526 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:34,519 it would be the curse that has always been upon me, 527 00:29:34,599 --> 00:29:36,240 that when I fell in love, it would be with 528 00:29:36,319 --> 00:29:39,799 a ghost. His eyes were vivid, shining brightly in his 529 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:42,599 pale face. I knew when I saw her on the 530 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:46,359 stairway that I loved her. There is a rumor, said 531 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,720 De Lacey, that the man who sees the fair Elaine 532 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:53,119 will meet with some misadventure. Unless she gives him a kiss, 533 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:58,599 then he is protected from her wrath, I started, Rexler smiled, 534 00:29:59,039 --> 00:30:01,799 she kissed me with her e. I am not afraid. 535 00:30:02,559 --> 00:30:05,359 The fair Elaine makes men suffer to make up for 536 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:08,400 the wrong Black George did her. For years, she has 537 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:11,799 not been seen at Rougemont. Last night, when you described her, 538 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:15,519 I was afraid. My Lord de Lacey turned to me, 539 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:18,400 send your friend away. If she only looked at him 540 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:21,640 and smiled, there is a grave and deadly danger for him, 541 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:25,960 more deadly because it may be unexplainable. Men upon whom 542 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:30,079 the fair Helene has smiled have met strange deaths. As 543 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:33,400 Rexler looked up at the portrait, and inward light illumined 544 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:38,279 his countenance, I am not afraid, he repeated. There are 545 00:30:38,319 --> 00:30:41,119 many deaths. There is the death of the spirit as 546 00:30:41,119 --> 00:30:43,279 well as that of the body. I beg you to 547 00:30:43,319 --> 00:30:46,359 go while there is time, friend of my Lord. There 548 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:50,160 was real feeling in De Lacey's voice. I too felt 549 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:54,680 afraid for Wrexler, the strange, unworldly feeling he had always had, 550 00:30:54,799 --> 00:30:57,519 the pulling towards something he knew, not what made me 551 00:30:57,599 --> 00:31:01,039 doubly fearful had the fair Elaine been calling to him 552 00:31:01,079 --> 00:31:04,559 all this time across the world. For myself, I had 553 00:31:04,599 --> 00:31:08,039 no fear. She had kissed me, and besides, even death 554 00:31:08,079 --> 00:31:10,480 at her hands would have been preferable to never seeing 555 00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:13,720 her again. In these last few minutes, I had realized 556 00:31:13,759 --> 00:31:16,319 that I too was in love with Elaine, that I 557 00:31:16,359 --> 00:31:18,640 could hardly wait for the night in hopes that she 558 00:31:18,759 --> 00:31:22,519 might visit me again. Resolutely, I put my own feelings 559 00:31:22,519 --> 00:31:25,039 in the background, for at the moment, Rexler was of 560 00:31:25,079 --> 00:31:28,920 paramount importance. If there was anything in De Lacey's story, 561 00:31:29,119 --> 00:31:31,759 and from my own experience I was sure there was. 562 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:35,759 Wrexler was in danger. I turned to him. If anything 563 00:31:35,839 --> 00:31:38,799 happened to you, I could never forgive myself. Perhaps you'd 564 00:31:38,799 --> 00:31:41,200 better go. I could arrange a trip for you and 565 00:31:41,279 --> 00:31:45,680 later meet you. Somehow, De Lacey seemed one of us. 566 00:31:45,839 --> 00:31:49,200 I had no hesitancy in speaking before him. He seemed 567 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:52,319 a part of my new life. With the strange suddenness 568 00:31:52,319 --> 00:31:56,880 that comes on rare occasions, we were already friends. Wrexler 569 00:31:56,960 --> 00:31:59,920 looked at me, then back at the portrait Elaine de Hawk, 570 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:04,759 her red hair gleaming, smiled down upon us. Before he spoke, 571 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:07,559 I knew what he would say, because in his place, 572 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,599 I would have said the same. Unless you kick me out, 573 00:32:10,799 --> 00:32:14,519 I want to stay. I put my hand on Rexler's shoulder, 574 00:32:14,920 --> 00:32:18,079 so be it. Come along, Let's see the library. Then 575 00:32:18,119 --> 00:32:22,519 we'll know all of Rougemont. We've seen everything else. Wrenching 576 00:32:22,559 --> 00:32:27,000 his eyes away from the portrait, Rexler followed us. The 577 00:32:27,079 --> 00:32:30,319 library was beautiful, with paneled walls that had rows and 578 00:32:30,480 --> 00:32:33,400 rows of books sunk in their depths. There was a long, 579 00:32:33,559 --> 00:32:36,720 oaken table, and on the center of it stood a carved, 580 00:32:36,759 --> 00:32:40,599 gilded box, the casket which held my father's letter. I 581 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:43,880 wished then that I could read it at once. I 582 00:32:43,920 --> 00:32:47,000 wish now that I could have. But perhaps it is 583 00:32:47,079 --> 00:32:50,200 better that I did not. At least things moved as 584 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:56,759 fates ordained, and the responsibility for what occurred was not mine. 585 00:32:57,279 --> 00:33:00,960 The next three days were quiet, happy ones. Nothing occurred. 586 00:33:01,519 --> 00:33:05,359 I had no ghostly visitant, and Wrexler saw nothing of Elaine. 587 00:33:06,079 --> 00:33:09,400 Under De Lacey's expert guidance, we rode over the estate, 588 00:33:09,559 --> 00:33:12,640 hunted with falcons, a pleasing sport which we both took 589 00:33:12,680 --> 00:33:15,680 to our hearts. Mingled with my court, found the people 590 00:33:15,799 --> 00:33:19,799 charming and highly cultivated. We took lessons and the old dances, 591 00:33:20,079 --> 00:33:23,559 visited the manor houses. It was all very gay and amusing, 592 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:26,279 and I had no longing for the outside world, and 593 00:33:26,319 --> 00:33:28,920 did not even go down to the lodge for news. 594 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:32,319 There were many details of the estate management that I 595 00:33:32,359 --> 00:33:35,000 had to go into with De Lacey. We spent several 596 00:33:35,079 --> 00:33:38,640 hours each morning going over the affairs of Rougemont. It 597 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:41,839 was virtually a small kingdom, and everything was referred to 598 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:45,680 me necessarily the time I spent with De Lacy on 599 00:33:45,759 --> 00:33:49,480 such matters, Wrexler was alone. He had changed a great 600 00:33:49,519 --> 00:33:53,079 deal since we had come to Rougemont. He had come alive, 601 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:56,359 and he threw himself into everything with a curious intensity. 602 00:33:56,880 --> 00:33:59,000 He was like a person who has been very ill, 603 00:33:59,559 --> 00:34:03,400 who suddenly finding himself better, and fearing it is only temporary, 604 00:34:03,880 --> 00:34:07,680 clutches life with both hands. He devoted long hours to 605 00:34:07,759 --> 00:34:11,039 reading the records of the deha Coors, until he knew 606 00:34:11,039 --> 00:34:14,159 the family history as well as his own. I did 607 00:34:14,159 --> 00:34:16,960 not mention Elaine, though there was seldom a moment when 608 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:19,760 she was out of my thoughts. I found myself watching 609 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:21,960 for her day and night, and I caught the same 610 00:34:22,039 --> 00:34:27,079 tension in Rexler's eyes as he searched the shadows. The 611 00:34:27,159 --> 00:34:30,719 third night she came again, not to me, but to Rexler, 612 00:34:30,880 --> 00:34:33,800 And although he was my friend, I almost hated him 613 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:36,880 because he had seen her and I had not. He 614 00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:39,440 told me the next morning, as we walked along the 615 00:34:39,519 --> 00:34:44,199 lake shore, Jim, he said, suddenly I saw her. Last night. 616 00:34:44,679 --> 00:34:47,679 She came to my room. She drew aside the curtains 617 00:34:47,679 --> 00:34:50,559 of the bed and leaned over me. I can't describe 618 00:34:50,599 --> 00:34:54,400 my sensations. It was almost as though life were suspended 619 00:34:54,440 --> 00:34:58,440 in space, like a bridge over a timeless sea. I 620 00:34:58,480 --> 00:35:01,599 had nothing to say. I knew so well how he felt. 621 00:35:02,280 --> 00:35:05,360 She leaned closer and closer to me. Rexler went on. 622 00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:08,880 Then she smiled, and before I could find my breath 623 00:35:08,880 --> 00:35:11,920 to speak, she was gone. This is the second time 624 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:15,159 she smiled at me. I felt a nameless fear, as 625 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:17,760 though there was a threatening quality in those red lips. 626 00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:19,960 She looked at me as though I might have been 627 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:24,000 black George himself. In that moment, all my envy was 628 00:35:24,039 --> 00:35:27,920 swept away by anxiety for my friend. Indeed, I wished 629 00:35:27,960 --> 00:35:30,760 she had kissed him, for then he would have been safe. 630 00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:34,760 I started to speak to beg Rexler to leave, Rougemont. 631 00:35:35,119 --> 00:35:37,679 But before the words could leave my mouth, I saw her. 632 00:35:38,199 --> 00:35:41,639 She was standing in the path some distance away, directly 633 00:35:41,639 --> 00:35:44,280 in line with my eyes, and she was shaking her 634 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:48,880 head impressively. I knew instantly what she meant. I was 635 00:35:48,960 --> 00:35:52,079 not to send Wrexler away. He could not see her, 636 00:35:52,159 --> 00:35:54,800 because at the moment he was facing me, his hand 637 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:58,719 on my arm, his fingers touching me were not quite steady. 638 00:35:59,239 --> 00:36:03,440 It brought me back to reality. Rexler, I cried, you 639 00:36:04,280 --> 00:36:09,559 could leave Rougemont. Her eyes clouded with anger. She looked 640 00:36:09,559 --> 00:36:13,559 at me reproachfully, commandingly, as though I were dreaming. I 641 00:36:13,599 --> 00:36:16,719 heard my own voice. I don't want you to go. 642 00:36:17,280 --> 00:36:20,880 I would be lonely without you. Perhaps there is no danger, 643 00:36:21,559 --> 00:36:25,000 Rexler looked at me curiously. There is a risk, I 644 00:36:25,079 --> 00:36:27,599 know that, but I do not care. I am like 645 00:36:27,639 --> 00:36:30,360 a man who has eaten a strange and terrible drug, 646 00:36:30,679 --> 00:36:33,960 who knows the danger but cannot resist it. I will 647 00:36:33,960 --> 00:36:39,039 stay beyond him. Elaine smiled a satisfied smile as she 648 00:36:39,119 --> 00:36:42,840 looked at Rexler's broad back. It made me feel afraid. 649 00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:47,039 Then suddenly her gaze swept me, and the smile changed 650 00:36:47,079 --> 00:36:50,519 into a languorous one that promised all things. My heart 651 00:36:50,559 --> 00:36:55,639 beat faster, and I forgot my fear. Rexler moved restlessly, 652 00:36:55,920 --> 00:36:58,719 turning so that we were side by side. Even in 653 00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:02,239 that second, Elaine had vanished. How I do not know. 654 00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:05,400 One minute she was there, the next she was not. 655 00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:11,480 We walked along slowly. Finally Rexler spoke, no matter what happens, 656 00:37:11,639 --> 00:37:14,480 and I mean that widely, my friend, you are not 657 00:37:14,519 --> 00:37:17,480 to regret for a little time. I have been happy. 658 00:37:17,599 --> 00:37:20,480 I have come alive. I have loved, even though the 659 00:37:20,519 --> 00:37:23,199 woman I love is a wraith. I have felt a 660 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:26,960 sensation I thought never to feel. If I could hold 661 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:29,159 her in my arms and press my lips to hers, 662 00:37:29,599 --> 00:37:33,480 I would count the world well lost. I could say nothing, 663 00:37:34,079 --> 00:37:40,800 because God pity me. I knew just how he felt. 664 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:45,320 The day slipped away quickly. I did not see Elaine again, 665 00:37:45,599 --> 00:37:48,960 but Rexler did almost every day. He met her in 666 00:37:48,960 --> 00:37:52,840 the rose garden, where they spent long hours. He told 667 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:55,440 me that she was always elusive, but at the same 668 00:37:55,480 --> 00:37:59,039 time promising that some day she would be kinder. He 669 00:37:59,119 --> 00:38:01,880 said her voice was like golden honey, and that without 670 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:06,159 her he could not face life. Once I saw them myself, 671 00:38:06,239 --> 00:38:09,239 as I came from an interview with de Lacey. As 672 00:38:09,239 --> 00:38:12,280 I approached the rose Garden through an opening in the arches, 673 00:38:12,639 --> 00:38:15,480 I saw them sitting side by side on the marble bench, 674 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:19,079 and of the two, Elaine looked the more earthly, for 675 00:38:19,199 --> 00:38:23,280 Rexler had grown paler and more ethereal every day. His 676 00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:27,039 eyes were luminous as he looked at her adoringly. She 677 00:38:27,199 --> 00:38:31,000 saw me first, and her lips curved sweetly. She rose 678 00:38:31,039 --> 00:38:33,800 in a leisurely fashion, turned her back to me, and 679 00:38:33,880 --> 00:38:37,440 dropped a low curtsey to Rexler. Then, while I still watched, 680 00:38:37,519 --> 00:38:41,480 she extended one slender hand to him. He bent over it, 681 00:38:41,800 --> 00:38:45,360 his lips touched its soft whiteness. A little laugh, like 682 00:38:45,400 --> 00:38:48,760 the tinkle of silver bells, swept through the garden. Then 683 00:38:48,840 --> 00:38:52,519 she was gone. Rexler stood like a man in a trance. 684 00:38:53,159 --> 00:38:56,840 I came quickly forward. And we're playing with fire, I cried. 685 00:38:57,920 --> 00:39:02,719 Rexler roused, you saw, I nodded. Have you ever seen 686 00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:06,760 anything more beautiful? More lovely? I shook my head. I 687 00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:10,519 am not afraid any more. She has promised me. But 688 00:39:10,639 --> 00:39:13,599 what Elaine had promised it was not to know, for 689 00:39:13,679 --> 00:39:16,960 Rexler's mouth shut with a snap. When I pressed him. 690 00:39:17,000 --> 00:39:20,639 He shook his head Finally, he said, carefully, choosing his 691 00:39:20,719 --> 00:39:24,400 words with a reluctance that was strange to him. To 692 00:39:24,519 --> 00:39:27,480 me is to be granted something beyond the knowledge of 693 00:39:27,559 --> 00:39:30,960 mortal man. I can tell you no more, but some 694 00:39:31,079 --> 00:39:33,599 day you will know. There was an expression on his 695 00:39:33,679 --> 00:39:38,599 face that transcended earth. The next night I spoke to 696 00:39:38,639 --> 00:39:41,840 de Lacey and told him my fears. Rexler was spending 697 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:44,800 more and more time in the rose garden. I hardly 698 00:39:44,840 --> 00:39:47,360 saw him, and he would not discuss anything with me. 699 00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:52,000 Even at the stately elegantly served meals, he barely spoke. 700 00:39:52,360 --> 00:39:56,639 He always seemed to be listening, waiting. De Lacey shared 701 00:39:56,679 --> 00:39:59,760 my fears, but he suggested nothing to help. He has 702 00:39:59,800 --> 00:40:03,599 been marked, my lord, he said gravely. We can only pray, 703 00:40:04,039 --> 00:40:07,280 But even in prayers there is no refuge. For Elaine 704 00:40:07,320 --> 00:40:12,400 is beyond such things. Surely, I began to remonstrate. The 705 00:40:12,440 --> 00:40:15,199 power of evil is as strong as the power of good, 706 00:40:15,760 --> 00:40:19,639 or at least there is little between them. Elaine herself 707 00:40:19,719 --> 00:40:24,199 is bound fast by the hate of Black George curses live. 708 00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:27,760 I knew that witness the lasting quality of the curses 709 00:40:27,800 --> 00:40:31,840 and spells of the Egyptian priests. But Elaine was not evil, 710 00:40:32,239 --> 00:40:35,719 I said as much. Delacey shook his head. She is 711 00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:38,639 cut off from her lover. She does not feel kindly 712 00:40:38,719 --> 00:40:43,719 toward men. Remember, she promised vengeance century after century that 713 00:40:43,880 --> 00:40:47,199 day in the Great Hall. That night, in the silence 714 00:40:47,199 --> 00:40:51,960 of my chamber, I called her name, Elaine, Elaine. I 715 00:40:52,079 --> 00:40:55,000 flung my agonized summons into the night, but there was 716 00:40:55,039 --> 00:40:58,320 no answer. I went over in my mind the tales 717 00:40:58,360 --> 00:41:01,039 de Lacey had told me of the habit she had caused. 718 00:41:01,440 --> 00:41:04,400 How one man cast himself down from the highest turret 719 00:41:04,519 --> 00:41:07,440 crying her name. How another had been found dead in 720 00:41:07,519 --> 00:41:11,239 the rose garden, horror frozen on his face. There were 721 00:41:11,280 --> 00:41:14,280 still others who had looked upon her, and death or 722 00:41:14,360 --> 00:41:18,519 madness came as the result. The more I thought of 723 00:41:18,559 --> 00:41:21,880 these tales of terror, the more I feared for Rexler. 724 00:41:22,400 --> 00:41:25,280 At last, I could stand no more. I thrust my 725 00:41:25,480 --> 00:41:27,880 arms into the rich velvet robe that had taken the 726 00:41:27,880 --> 00:41:30,800 place of my bath gown, and went to Rexler's room. 727 00:41:31,320 --> 00:41:35,119 The guard stood back to let me pass. I did 728 00:41:35,119 --> 00:41:38,119 not mean to wake him, but some inner foreboding made 729 00:41:38,119 --> 00:41:41,119 me feel I must know that he was safe. As 730 00:41:41,159 --> 00:41:43,440 I drew aside the curtains of his bed, I could 731 00:41:43,480 --> 00:41:46,360 not entirely stifle the cry that came to my lips, 732 00:41:46,679 --> 00:41:49,880 for the bed was empty, but upon the pillow lay 733 00:41:49,880 --> 00:41:53,079 a small white rose. It was the kind they used 734 00:41:53,119 --> 00:41:57,559 in funeral wreaths in France. My heart almost stopped beating 735 00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:02,880 the rose garden, or perhaps the library, A more normal 736 00:42:02,920 --> 00:42:06,360 thought struck me Rexler might have wanted to read. I 737 00:42:06,480 --> 00:42:09,320 rushed into the hall to find De Lacey waiting for me, 738 00:42:09,480 --> 00:42:12,679 Summoned by the guards. He held a silver candlestick in 739 00:42:12,719 --> 00:42:17,679 which a tall white candle burned the library. I gasped, 740 00:42:18,079 --> 00:42:21,360 that was nearest. We should try it first. De Lacey 741 00:42:21,440 --> 00:42:24,960 knew my meaning. He had instantly grasped the situation, and 742 00:42:25,079 --> 00:42:28,800 his face was white and tense. Together we descended the 743 00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:33,800 curving stairway. Together we reached the library. Then, motioning De 744 00:42:33,920 --> 00:42:37,719 Lacey behind me, I swung open the door. The room 745 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:41,039 was brightly illuminated, although not one of the candles had 746 00:42:41,039 --> 00:42:43,920 been lit. In the middle of it stood Rexler with 747 00:42:44,039 --> 00:42:48,159 Elaine in his arms. Their lips were close locked. It 748 00:42:48,199 --> 00:42:50,880 was a picture that an artist would have delighted to paint. 749 00:42:51,239 --> 00:42:55,440 The stiff crimson skirts of Eleain de Harcourt's gown stood 750 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:59,519 wide on either side, and Wrexler's blue doublet and hose 751 00:42:59,639 --> 00:43:03,599 again them was in bold relief, his long over sleeves 752 00:43:03,800 --> 00:43:08,239 edged with fur, hung gracefully. I could not speak. This 753 00:43:08,360 --> 00:43:11,039 mating of man with ghost was almost more than my 754 00:43:11,119 --> 00:43:14,320 poor mortal brain could bear. Yet with every atom of 755 00:43:14,360 --> 00:43:16,320 my being, I wished that I could have been in 756 00:43:16,400 --> 00:43:20,239 Rexler's place. I remembered the one chaste kiss I had 757 00:43:20,280 --> 00:43:22,719 had from her, and I almost fainted at the thought 758 00:43:22,760 --> 00:43:26,000 of possessing those lips for my own, as Rexler was doing. 759 00:43:26,639 --> 00:43:30,519 Strangely enough, Mingled with this emotion was another, a feeling 760 00:43:30,559 --> 00:43:34,280 of fear and anxiety for my friend. Cold horror that 761 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:38,199 froze my blood kept me rooted to the spot behind me. 762 00:43:38,320 --> 00:43:41,119 De Lacey had fallen to his knees. I could hear 763 00:43:41,199 --> 00:43:44,360 him repeating the Latin words of a prayer. All at 764 00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:47,199 once I saw where the light was coming from. The 765 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:52,000 entire north wall, ordinarily lined with books, had gone. In 766 00:43:52,039 --> 00:43:54,599 its stead was a stone wall, and in the center 767 00:43:54,639 --> 00:43:57,760 of the wall was a low hung Gothic door, carved 768 00:43:57,800 --> 00:44:01,280 and ornate. It was standing over open, and beyond was 769 00:44:01,320 --> 00:44:04,880 a pale, luminous yellow mist. I could see nothing of 770 00:44:04,920 --> 00:44:07,559 what else was behind the door, where the yellow haze 771 00:44:07,599 --> 00:44:11,119 filled the entire space. It was like a golden fog, 772 00:44:11,239 --> 00:44:15,280 and its radiance lighted the library with a strange, unearthly glow. 773 00:44:16,440 --> 00:44:20,679 Its luminosity glowed upon Elaine and Wrexler like a spotlight. 774 00:44:21,320 --> 00:44:24,760 For a moment, I thought, Rougemont de Lacey, everything of 775 00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:26,920 the past weeks must have been a dream that I 776 00:44:27,039 --> 00:44:30,599 was watching in a cinema of past days, all at 777 00:44:30,639 --> 00:44:34,679 once before my astonished eyes. Elaine gently drew her lips 778 00:44:34,719 --> 00:44:38,440 away from Wrexler's. She slipped from his arms and extended 779 00:44:38,440 --> 00:44:43,079 her hands to him. Hum. I heard her say, Rexler 780 00:44:43,119 --> 00:44:46,480 had been right. Her voice was like golden honey. It 781 00:44:46,559 --> 00:44:49,280 was like the music of willow trees in early spring. 782 00:44:50,159 --> 00:44:53,400 Rexler grasped her hands. For the first time I saw 783 00:44:53,480 --> 00:44:57,079 his face. Joy transfigured it, such joy as I have 784 00:44:57,199 --> 00:45:02,119 never seen before and never shall see again. Elaine moved backward, 785 00:45:02,280 --> 00:45:05,760 slowly but surely, drawing him toward the little gothic door 786 00:45:05,840 --> 00:45:12,000 that stood open. With her lips half parted, she whispered, humph, Rexler, 787 00:45:12,280 --> 00:45:15,719 I cried. Suddenly he could not hear me. As he 788 00:45:15,760 --> 00:45:18,039 looked into her eyes. He might have been a bird. 789 00:45:18,159 --> 00:45:21,280 Charmed by a snake. Nothing could break the spell that 790 00:45:21,360 --> 00:45:25,159 bound him. They were nearer the door. Each second brought 791 00:45:25,239 --> 00:45:28,719 them closer to it. Now Elaine was on the other side. 792 00:45:29,360 --> 00:45:33,360 The gold mist concentrated upon her until she looked like 793 00:45:33,400 --> 00:45:38,519 a goddess in its eerie light. Rexler, Rexler. The words 794 00:45:38,599 --> 00:45:43,239 tore through my throat. Rexler stepped over the threshold through 795 00:45:43,239 --> 00:45:45,840 the golden mist. I saw him clasp Elaine in his 796 00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:49,679 arms again. I saw her smile triumphantly at me as 797 00:45:49,719 --> 00:45:52,679 she raised her lips to his. There was something in 798 00:45:52,719 --> 00:45:56,679 her eyes that filled me with horror. The mists whirled 799 00:45:56,719 --> 00:45:59,440 about them until I could barely discover the outlines of 800 00:45:59,480 --> 00:46:03,679 their figures through its gleaming haze. Then the door swung 801 00:46:03,800 --> 00:46:10,679 slowly shut. I awoke to feverish activity. Rexler, Rexler. I 802 00:46:10,760 --> 00:46:14,360 shouted and rushed forward to the door. I grasped the 803 00:46:14,400 --> 00:46:17,159 iron ring that hung in its center. I pulled on 804 00:46:17,239 --> 00:46:19,480 it with all my might. When I found that it 805 00:46:19,519 --> 00:46:23,199 resisted all my efforts, I began beating against the door itself. 806 00:46:23,840 --> 00:46:28,440 Presently I felt myself being pulled away. There is no use, 807 00:46:28,599 --> 00:46:33,480 my Lord de Lacey's voice was saying, The door is gone, gone, 808 00:46:34,000 --> 00:46:37,360 I ejaculated, and even as I spoke, I saw what 809 00:46:37,480 --> 00:46:40,440 he meant. The north wall of the library was lined 810 00:46:40,440 --> 00:46:43,119 with books, as it had always been. I had been 811 00:46:43,159 --> 00:46:47,039 beating upon them impotently. I looked down at my hands. 812 00:46:47,360 --> 00:46:49,880 The knuckles were raw and bleeding, just as they would 813 00:46:49,880 --> 00:46:52,559 have been from pounding on a heavy carved wooden door. 814 00:46:53,199 --> 00:46:56,519 Delacey caught my meaning. The door was there, my lord. 815 00:46:56,960 --> 00:46:59,679 It was the lost door, the door behind which black 816 00:46:59,760 --> 00:47:03,079 Jawy George buried Elaine de Harcour. It has been lost 817 00:47:03,119 --> 00:47:07,840 for centuries. I sank into a chair. Weekly For now, 818 00:47:07,880 --> 00:47:11,440 the fact that I had lost Rexler, my friend, was paramount. 819 00:47:11,840 --> 00:47:14,119 I will tear down the walls until I find it. 820 00:47:14,840 --> 00:47:17,079 That has been done, my lord, and it has never 821 00:47:17,119 --> 00:47:21,519 been found. It will never be found again. Only for 822 00:47:21,559 --> 00:47:23,840 a brief moment, you and I have been granted a 823 00:47:23,840 --> 00:47:29,000 glimpse of something we cannot understand. And Rexler, I groaned. 824 00:47:29,519 --> 00:47:33,519 He was happy. De Lacey comforted. No matter what happened after, 825 00:47:33,960 --> 00:47:37,000 he has had happiness such as I have never seen before. 826 00:47:37,800 --> 00:47:42,599 My head pitched forward and I knew no more. Three 827 00:47:42,679 --> 00:47:45,880 days later I was escorted to the library by De Lacey, 828 00:47:46,239 --> 00:47:49,679 to whom since Wrexler's loss, I was more devoted than ever. 829 00:47:50,719 --> 00:47:53,119 With great ceremony, I was given the key to the 830 00:47:53,159 --> 00:47:57,280 gilded casket. Then left alone, seated in the great chair 831 00:47:57,360 --> 00:48:01,119 before the oaken table, I unlocked the casket. It contained 832 00:48:01,159 --> 00:48:04,760 many pages, closely written in my father's hand. In them 833 00:48:04,760 --> 00:48:08,559 were instructions as to my future conduct, my care of Rougemont, 834 00:48:08,880 --> 00:48:11,199 what he had done, and what he expected me to do. 835 00:48:12,039 --> 00:48:15,400 But the lines that interested me most were these. I 836 00:48:15,440 --> 00:48:19,119 bought Rougemont for your mother shortly after your birth, because 837 00:48:19,119 --> 00:48:22,239 when riding through this country, she saw and loved it. 838 00:48:22,239 --> 00:48:25,599 It was a purchase that cost me dear, for Rougemont 839 00:48:25,679 --> 00:48:28,280 held a curse and an avenging spirit in the form 840 00:48:28,320 --> 00:48:30,960 of a beautiful young girl who could not bear to 841 00:48:30,960 --> 00:48:35,880 see others happiness. So my wife died. Two months after 842 00:48:35,960 --> 00:48:39,440 your mother's death. I first saw La Belle Helene. We 843 00:48:39,559 --> 00:48:42,519 fought a long battle, she and I, but I was strong, 844 00:48:42,679 --> 00:48:46,320 my son, because I loved your mother. No other woman's 845 00:48:46,400 --> 00:48:49,880 charms could lure me to my doom. Finally, I made 846 00:48:49,880 --> 00:48:53,239 a bargain with the ghost. She hated modern things and 847 00:48:53,360 --> 00:48:56,519 longed for Rougemont to be great again. I promised to 848 00:48:56,559 --> 00:48:59,719 restore the chateau to its former splendor, to make it 849 00:48:59,840 --> 00:49:02,480 just as it have been in her days. And in 850 00:49:02,519 --> 00:49:06,119 return she promised immunity to me, and afterward to you 851 00:49:06,440 --> 00:49:09,000 and to all my court. When I should have established it, 852 00:49:09,480 --> 00:49:13,800 I restored Rougemont, I repeopled it. With her help and advice, 853 00:49:13,920 --> 00:49:16,039 I have made it as it was in her own day. 854 00:49:16,920 --> 00:49:19,880 She showed me the hidden treasure vaults of the Dehacurs 855 00:49:20,199 --> 00:49:22,440 so that I would have enough money to purchase the 856 00:49:22,480 --> 00:49:26,559 things she wanted. She too, has kept her bargain, for 857 00:49:26,679 --> 00:49:30,679 I and my court have lived happily here, unmolested. Only 858 00:49:30,719 --> 00:49:34,440 when an outsider came, or someone disobeyed or longed for 859 00:49:34,519 --> 00:49:39,320 the outside world, has she wreaked vengeance. She has sworn 860 00:49:39,440 --> 00:49:42,280 to give you the kiss that promises immunity the night 861 00:49:42,320 --> 00:49:46,280 you come. Only beware my son, whom you bring here 862 00:49:46,320 --> 00:49:49,239 from the world you know, and beware of the lovely 863 00:49:49,320 --> 00:49:53,280 Elaine old man. As I am devoted to your mother's memory. 864 00:49:53,320 --> 00:49:56,360 As I am, she can still make my pulses leap 865 00:49:57,400 --> 00:50:00,320 above all things. If she shows you the lost door, 866 00:50:00,719 --> 00:50:04,480 do not be tempted to cross its threshold, for that way, 867 00:50:04,840 --> 00:50:09,079 unless you are the reincarnation of the Englishman annihilation lies. 868 00:50:11,039 --> 00:50:14,119 There was more pages, more of other matters, but I 869 00:50:14,199 --> 00:50:17,760 left them for another day. Alone there in the library, 870 00:50:17,880 --> 00:50:20,559 I let my eyes wander to where the little Gothic 871 00:50:20,639 --> 00:50:25,039 door had been. Had Rexler been the Englishman come back 872 00:50:25,039 --> 00:50:27,960 to Earth to claim his bride? Could that account for 873 00:50:28,000 --> 00:50:33,239 the strange, unsatisfied longings he had always had, his unearthly feelings, 874 00:50:33,400 --> 00:50:37,039 his unlikeness to other people. Or was he black George 875 00:50:37,360 --> 00:50:41,599 lured back to Rougement for Elaine's vengeance. I hope for 876 00:50:41,639 --> 00:50:45,039 his sake that was not the explanation. That he and 877 00:50:45,239 --> 00:50:49,039 Elaine would find bliss waiting for them behind the Lost Door, 878 00:50:49,599 --> 00:50:53,440 and I would never see Elaine again. The days pass, 879 00:50:53,920 --> 00:50:56,079 I do what my father set out for me to do. 880 00:50:56,679 --> 00:50:59,599 I keep his bargain with the ghost of the fair Elaine. 881 00:51:00,400 --> 00:51:04,280 I never leave Rougemont. I have no desire to, for 882 00:51:04,360 --> 00:51:07,239 I am always hoping that some day I shall again 883 00:51:07,400 --> 00:51:15,880 find the Lost Door. End up The Lost Door by 884 00:51:15,960 --> 00:51:16,760 Dorothy Quick