He began to think that women
were always right; that Devilsdust was after all a dangerous
counsellor; he even meditated over the possibility of a
retreat. He looked around him: the glimmering lamp scarcely
indicated the outline of the obscure chamber. It was lofty,
nor in the obscurity was it possible for the eye to reach the
ceiling, which several huge beams seemed to cross
transversally, looming in the darkness. There was apparently
no windows, and the door by which they had entered was not
easily to be recognised. Mick had just taken up the lamp and
was surveying his position, when a slight noise startled him,
and looking round he beheld at some little distance two forms
which he hoped were human.
Enveloped in dark cloaks and wearing black masks, a conical
cap of the same colour adding to their considerable height,
each held a torch. They stood in silence--two awful sentries.
Their appearance appalled, their stillness terrified, Mick: he
remained with his mouth open and the lamp in his extended arm.
At length, unable any longer to sustain the solemn mystery,
and plucking up his natural audacity, he exclaimed, "I say.
what do you want?"
All was silent.
"Come, come," said Mick much alarmed; "none of this sort of
thing.
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