United States or Egypt ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Caswall's face was more set and iron-clad than ever his piercing eyes seemed from the very beginning to look her through and through. Her heart quailed when she thought of what would follow of what would be the end, when this was only the beginning.
Alienists, who study the matter exactly, probably know more of human vanity and its effects than do ordinary men. Caswall's mental disturbance was not hard to identify. Every asylum is full of such cases men and women, who, naturally selfish and egotistical, so appraise to themselves their own importance that every other circumstance in life becomes subservient to it.
Already she felt at a disadvantage, and hesitated. "I mean about the old man who died so suddenly your old . . . retainer." Caswall's face relaxed something of its puzzled concentration. "Oh, he was only a servant; and he had over-stayed his three-score and ten years by something like twenty years. He must have been ninety!" "Still, as an old servant . . . "
He heard no sound, for his normal faculties seemed benumbed. Mimi, when she came to the door, which stood ajar, gave a light tap. So light was it that it did not reach Caswall's ears. Then, taking her courage in both hands, she boldly pushed the door and entered.
Caswall's face had lost its appearance of passivity. His eyes glowed with a fiery light. He was still the old Roman in inflexibility of purpose; but grafted on to the Roman was a new Berserker fury. His companions in the baleful work seemed to have taken on something of his feeling.
All being ready for his great attempt whenever the time should come, he was now content to wait, and, in order to pass the time, interested himself in other things even in Caswall's great kite, which still flew from the high tower of Castra Regis. The mound of fine sand grew to proportions so vast as to puzzle the bailiffs and farmers round the Brow.
He was trying hard to overcome this when a diversion was caused by the arrival of Lady Arabella. The diversion was welcome to all; the two Saltons and Sir Nathaniel were shocked at Caswall's face so hard, so ruthless, so selfish, so dominant. "God help any," was the common thought, "who is under the domination of such a man!"
After a while he began to throw glances round him and then raised his hand, without letting either Lilla or Mimi see the action. It was evidently intended to give some sign to the negro, for he came, in his usual stealthy way, quietly in by the hall door, which was open. Then Mr. Caswall's efforts at staring became intensified, and poor Lilla's nervousness grew greater.
"Can you remember well enough to describe Caswall's eyes, and how Lilla looked, and what Mimi said and did? Also Oolanga, Caswall's West African servant." "I'll do what I can, sir. All the time Mr. Caswall was staring, he kept his eyes fixed and motionless but not as if he was in a trance. His forehead was wrinkled up, as it is when one is trying to see through or into something.
As a social matter, she was disgusted with her for following up the rich landowner "throwing herself at his head so shamelessly," was how she expressed it. She was interested to know that the great kite still flew from Caswall's tower. But beyond such matters she did not try to go.
Word Of The Day