Cornish Horrors: Tales from the Land's End by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: folk horror, holiday reading, local legends, Celtic mythology, traditional ghost stories, Gothic romance, regional ghost stories
Publisher: British Library Publishing
Published: 2021-07-21T20:00:00+00:00

III

The next morning, with a beating heart and alternations of hope and misgiving, I presented myself at the door of the castle. An elderly man-servant opened it, and, looking at me suspiciously, asked my business.

I offered him my card, and at the same time inquired if Sir James Sinclair was at home, and could see me.

“Yes, sir,” replied the man; “but my master never receives visitors, and forbids me to take in any cards.”

“I am not an ordinary visitor,” I said; “my business is important, most important, and you really must take my card, and request him to grant me an interview.” At the same time, when again offering the card, I put a sovereign in his hand as well.

“What is this for?” asked the old servitor, dropping the card, and extending his open hand with the gold lying on it.

“It is for you, if you will accept it.”

“Is it a bribe?” asked the man, looking at me steadily. “We don’t take bribes here; put it back, sir, put it back in your purse.”

“Very well,” I said, feeling considerably crestfallen, and dropping it into the nearest pocket.

“This is perplexing,” I thought. “What can I do or say now?” for I was determined to make one more effort to gain admittance. The man was about to shut the door.

“Will you be good enough to tell your master that I am a gentleman from London, a great friend of Lady Bohun’s, and also am acquainted with Miss Sinclair?”

“I will see, sir,” he replied, taking up my card, “but I don’t expect Master will see you.”

I was left outside for about ten minutes. He at length returned and invited me to enter. I was conducted to the library, and there stood Sir James awaiting me. I bowed low. He waved me to a chair, but as he did not sit down, I stood also. I was struck at once with his very sad expression of face blended as it was with one of anger and annoyance.

“What is the nature of your business, sir?” he sternly, asked, “and in what way can it concern Lady Bohun or Miss Sinclair?”

Thinking that perfect candour and plain speaking would answer best, without preface or apology, I at once replied:—

“I met Miss Sinclair several times in town, Sir James, at various places; I visited at her aunt’s house; I have met her a few times in her walks in this neighbourhood, and renewed my acquaintance; and the result is, I am deeply attached to her. I have reason to believe she returns my affection, and my hope is, that after you have made every necessary inquiry respecting me, you will see no reason to do otherwise than ratify our engagement.”

“And pray, sir, am I to understand” (and he spoke in the haughtiest and most frigid tones) “that you have dared to address my daughter unknown to me?”

“I certainly have; I proposed to her only yesterday, and was accepted, and have lost no time in making you acquainted with the matter, trusting you will bestow upon us your sanction and blessing.

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