Dark souls

7

   When the gong sounded for dinner, Jane was surprised. Nothing has passed. Stretching, she felt a kind of joyful lightness in her body. It seemed like a moment, and she would come off the ground and soar above the floor. Looking around, Jane whirled around the room, her arms outstretched. Tomorrow, tomorrow she will be married. Starting tomorrow, she will ask Bertrand to slightly alter his lock . He is very gloomy. And at the same time send his cousin to the monastery, so that with her speeches she would not fool her head. If she wants to scare someone, let it be nuns in some distant monastery.

         Jane stopped abruptly. She was suddenly overcome by a sudden attack of hunger. Leaving the books scattered on the table and chairs, which again was not typical of her, she hurried to the refectory. This time Guillaume le Mouy was accompanied by his nephew. At the sight of him, Jane for some reason became joyful. She did not notice what she ate and what she drank, because she did not take her eyes off Bertrand's handsome face. Hunger also made itself felt. She would have eaten a raw rat if it had been served at the table.

         At the end of dinner, she was devastated. For some reason my heart felt sad. I remembered Gladstone Castle with its mossy walls, decaying roof and wet cellars. Childhood always seems to be a happier time. And although Jane and her brother did not particularly love each other because of their different characters, he was the only close person, not counting his father, who was always busy with his problems and thoughts about preserving family honor.

         Returning to her room, Jane again found a glass of water and a biscuit on her table. After a cursory glance at this, she decided to write a letter to her aunt, Eloise Cunningham. The letter was long and chaotic. It mixed joy from the benefits of marriage and sadness about the past years, the words of an old gypsy, spoken to her back in England, and Bianchi's inventions, similar to the delirium of an inflamed imagination. Along the way, Jane described in detail the appearance of Guillaume le Mouy, as well as the amusing reluctance of Bertrand and Catherine de Gaut to meet. As she was finishing the letter, she remembered that her maid, Mary, had disappeared somewhere, and that she had not seen Robert since she entered the castle .

         She did not have time to properly think out her thought, as she knocked on the door. At Jane's invitation, Giyon entered. She no longer looked at the floor all the time, but sideways, when she thought that they did not see her, she threw the curious at Jane.

What's happened? Jane asked. She thought painfully what she wanted to ask this girl. But for some reason the head refused to work.

Nothing yet, but it will happen if you do not provide a dress for the wedding, - said Giyon boldly.

         "What audacity!" Jane scoffed to herself. However, lazy languor dampened her discontent. And the word "wedding" made her thoughts turn in the other direction.

Ah, the dress. Call Mary. She will explain everything to you.

She explained everything to me, - Giyon again lowered her eyes to the floor. "Will you let me take him?"

Yes, of course, - Jane said indifferently. She stirred the coals in the fireplace, and while Gilyon rummaged through her closet, she began to examine the few jewels she had.

         Giyonna quickly found a cream dress with a train, as well as everything that came with it, and curtsied as she headed for the door.

Why do brother and sister de Gaut never meet? Jane suddenly asked. Are they in a quarrel?

         Giyon stopped.

Brother and sister de Gau? she asked in surprise.

Yes, Bertrand and Catherine. Will they both be at my wedding?

Well, there will definitely be a groom, - Giyon giggled. - And before his sister ... do not rush to get to know her. You won't like her very much. Although, who knows ... - she added with meaning, and while Jane comprehended what she had heard, she quickly left. Jane looked puzzled at the closed door.

         The rest of the day left no tangible traces in Jane's memory. After the dress was put in order and dressed in Jane, efforts began to eliminate minor flaws. This dress, made back in the days when the Gladstones could afford to pamper each other, is a bit out of fashion. Therefore, it took all the imagination of the maids, who, not being seamstresses and dressmakers, still knew how to hold a needle and thread in their hands. The ladies of Paris and London would no doubt have ridiculed Jane and cut off all contact with this poor country girl. However, even the closest neighbors were not expected at the wedding. Therefore, Jane had nothing to fear from shame and humiliation. The only thing that bothered her was Katerina's attitude. However, when after supper she went into Jane's room, she showed great joy at her sight. Katerina walked in circles around Jane, correcting first one crease, then another, enthusiastically chatting all sorts of nonsense. At the same time, her eyes burned feverishly, and her face was covered with red spots.

What a pity I can't be at the actual wedding! she cried, throwing up her hands. “But at least now I love you.”

But why? Jane asked. The relaxed mood after dinner was replaced by a gloomy melancholy.

Things, you know, - Katerina sighed. I should have left a few days ago. The queen asked to come to the court. After all, I'm her maid of honor. And the king and the court are going somewhere out there for a visit. And I have to accompany her. But don't worry. We'll see you soon," she added slyly. I will be with you on your wedding day.

         “I wonder how she is going to be with me at the wedding when she just said she was leaving? Jane thought darkly. - If only mentally. And why does her eyes sparkle so strangely?

Who will lead me to the altar? she asked aloud.

My uncle.

         Jane winced.

Well, don't, dear, - Katerina patted Jane on the arm. “You are not marrying him. And taking a few steps is not scary.

         A strange, wanton, dreamy expression walked across Katerina's face. Jane watched her darkly. She was already tired of the strangeness of this castle and stopped trying to analyze what she noticed. All she wanted was for it to be over soon so she could go to Gladstone. Everything is native, clear and understandable.

         Finally, after assuring her of her love many times, Katerina left. Giyont appeared at once and helped Jane take off her dress. Folding it neatly, without saying a word, she carried it away. Jane was left alone. The gloomy detachment was replaced by a disturbing trembling. Jane's joints ached like a cold, thirst tore her throat, and an incomprehensible excitement did not allow her to sit still. Despite the late hour, Jane went down to the library. Unaccustomed to the presence of a large number of servants, she was not yet used to the fact that in this castle she came across at every step, and the same Zhillon could bring her a book, one had only to call her.

         Going down the dark stairs with a candle and turning into different corridors, she finally pushed some door, as it seemed to her, into the library. But, wandering around the castle, she got lost and ended up in some dark room with a wide window. Perhaps when Bianca wanted to help me escape, she had this room in mind, Jane thought. "I wonder what's in there." She went to the window and, holding the flame from the wind, looked out into the darkness. From what she saw, the candle fell out of her hand, and she herself did not scream only because her throat was seized with horror. In the darkness outside the window white bodies impaled on high stakes. Some had already begun to decompose, and were a shapeless mass on the bones, others were recently dead. The nearest stake was crowned by Jane's recent servant, who had come with her to this terrible place .mok. Robert's face was turned towards her, and that was the only way she could recognize him. Half-burned hair, blackened arms and stumps instead of legs, an open stomach with a chain of entrails presented such a terrible sight that Jane could not believe her eyes. She looked and looked into the face of her faithful servant, until at last she realized that it was true. She moved away from the window, groping her way against the stone wall. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed unconscious on the cold stone floor. 

I want her to be sane tomorrow, - said Bertrand de Gault capriciously, leaving the wall that hid the secret passage.

It could be dangerous,” Guillaume le Mouy objected.

And we will give her another herb so that she cannot be capricious. It's even more interesting. How will she behave?

You're risking.

So what? We live once. And I want. Call Nabiru. Let him take her to the room.

         Guillaume le Mouy went out and soon returned with a huge negro. He slung Jane over his shoulder without a word and left.

What if she wakes up?

Another surprise. I don't think she's seen blacks yet. Although... I want to see it. Will she faint again or squeal?

         Bertrand de Gaut, laughing at the top of his lungs, ran out of the room. Guillaume le Mouy picked up the extinguished candle and looked out the window.

The landscape needs to be changed. Bertrand is taking too many risks.

         Looking around the dark room, he quickly left.

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