. Hans of Iceland . he door opened. A man dressed in black, carrying in his hand an ebonywand, and wearing about his neck a chain of unpolishedsteel, appeared upon the threshold, escorted by halberdiersalso dressed in black. What do you want ? asked the captive, sharply, andin astonishment. The man, without replying or looking at him, unrolled along parchment, to which was fastened by silken threadsa seal of green wax, and read aloud: In the name of his 88 HANS OF ICELAND. Majesty, our most gracious sovereign and lord, Christianthe king. Schumacker, prisoner of State in the royal for-tress of
. Hans of Iceland . he door opened. A man dressed in black, carrying in his hand an ebonywand, and wearing about his neck a chain of unpolishedsteel, appeared upon the threshold, escorted by halberdiersalso dressed in black. What do you want ? asked the captive, sharply, andin astonishment. The man, without replying or looking at him, unrolled along parchment, to which was fastened by silken threadsa seal of green wax, and read aloud: In the name of his 88 HANS OF ICELAND. Majesty, our most gracious sovereign and lord, Christianthe king. Schumacker, prisoner of State in the royal for-tress of Munkholm, and his daughter, are commanded tofollow the bearer of the said command. Schumacker repeated his question: What do youwant ? The man in black, still immovable, prepared to re-reaAthe document. That will do, said the old man. Then, rising, he signed to the surprised and startledEthel to follow with him this dismal escort Scbumacker and bis Daughter made — From drawing by xu. A doleful signal was given, an abject minister of juatlc«5 ftnoefced at hisdoor and informed him tliat he was wanted. — Joseph de Maistre. NIGHT had fallen; a cold wind whistled around theCursed Tower, and the doors of Vygla ruin rattledon their hinges, as if the same hand had shaken all ofthem at once. The wild inhabitants of the tower, the hangman and hisfamily, had gathered about the fire lighted in the middleof the room on the first floor, which cast a fitful glow upontheir dark faces and scarlet garments. The childrens fea-tures were fierce as their fathers laughter and haggard astheir mothers gaze. Their eyes, as well as those of Beckywere fixed on Orugix, who, seated on a wooden stool,seemed to be recovering his breath, his feet covered with 90 HANS OF ICELAND. dust, showing that he had but just returned from somedistant trip. Wife, listen ; listen, children. I ve not been gone twowhole days merely to bring back bad news. If I am notmade executioner t
Size: 1313px × 1902px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorhugovict, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookyear1902
