Этюд в багровых тонах
The Avenging Angels.
Theyweregroupedroundthebierintheearlyhoursofthemorning,when,totheirinexpressiblefearandastonishment,thedoorwasflungopen,andasavage-looking,weather-beatenmanintatteredgarmentsstrodeintotheroom. Withoutaglanceorawordtothecoweringwomen,hewalkeduptothewhitesilentfigurewhichhadoncecontainedthepuresoulofLucyFerrier. Stoopingoverher,hepressedhislipsreverentlytohercoldforehead,andthen,snatchingupherhand,hetookthewedding-ringfromherfinger. “Sheshallnotbeburiedinthat,”hecriedwithafiercesnarl,andbeforeanalarmcouldberaisedsprangdownthestairsandwasgone. Sostrangeandsobriefwastheepisode,thatthewatchersmighthavefoundithardtobelieveitthemselvesorpersuadeotherpeopleofit,haditnotbeenfortheundeniablefactthatthecircletofgoldwhichmarkedherashavingbeenabridehaddisappeared.
ForsomemonthsJeffersonHopelingeredamongthemountains,leadingastrangewildlife,andnursinginhisheartthefiercedesireforvengeancewhichpossessedhim. TalesweretoldintheCityoftheweirdfigurewhichwasseenprowlingaboutthesuburbs,andwhichhauntedthelonelymountaingorges. OnceabulletwhistledthroughStangerson’swindowandflatteneditselfuponthewallwithinafootofhim. Onanotheroccasion,asDrebberpassedunderacliffagreatbouldercrasheddownonhim,andheonlyescapedaterribledeathbythrowinghimselfuponhisface.
