The Red Room by H.G. Wells

The Red Room by H.G. Wells
Section [1 | 2]

candles

" odd ! " I_said " did I do_that myself flash absent -mindedness ? "

I walked back , relit one , and I_did , I_saw the candle in_the right sconce one_of_the mirrors wink and right out , and almost immediately its companion followed there_was mistake about_it the flame vanished , if_the wicks had_been suddenly nipped between finger and , leaving the wick neither glowing nor smoking, but black while I stood gaping, the candle at_the foot of_the bed went out , and_the shadows seemed to_take another step towards

" this won 't ! " said I, and first one and then another candle on_the mantelshelf followed

" what 's ? " I cried , with queer high note getting into voice somehow that_the candle on_the wardrobe went out , and_the one I had relit in_the alcove followed

" steady ! " I_said " these candles are wanted ," speaking with half - hysterical facetiousness, and scratching away match the while for_the mantel candlesticks hands trembled so_much that twice I missed the rough paper of_the matchbox as_the mantel emerged from darkness again , two candles in_the remoter end of_the window were eclipsed but with_the same match I also relit the larger mirror candles, and those on_the floor near the doorway , so_that for_the moment I seemed gain on_the extinctions but then volley there vanished four lights once different corners of_the room , and I struck another match quivering haste , and stood hesitating whither to_take

I stood undecided , invisible hand seemed sweep out the two candles on_the table with cry terror , I dashed at_the alcove , then into_the corner , and then window , relighting three , two more vanished by_the fireplace ; then , perceiving better way , I dropped the matches on_the iron - bound deed - box in_the corner , and caught the bedroom candlestick with_this I avoided the delay striking matches; but for all that_the steady process extinction went , and_the shadows I feared and fought against returned , and crept upon , first step gained on_this side and then on_that it_was like ragged storm - cloud sweeping out the stars now_and_then one for minute , and was lost again i_was now almost frantic with_the horror of_the coming darkness , and self - possession deserted I leaped panting and dishevelled from candle candle , vain struggle against that remorseless advance

I bruised myself on_the thigh against the table , I_sent chair headlong , I stumbled and fell and whisked the cloth from_the table fall candle rolled away from , and I snatched another I rose abruptly this_was blown out , I swung off the table by_the wind of_my sudden movement , and immediately the two remaining candles followed but there_was light still in_the room , red light that staved off the shadows from the fire ! of_course I_could still thrust candle between_the bars and relight !

I turned where the flames were still dancing between_the glowing coals, and splashing red reflections upon_the furniture , made two steps towards the grate , and incontinently the flames dwindled and vanished , the glow , the reflections rushed together and , and I thrust the candle bars darkness closed upon like the shutting eye , wrapped about stifling embrace , sealed vision , and crushed the last vestiges reason from brain the candle fell from hand I flung out arms vain effort thrust that ponderous blackness away from , and , lifting voice , screamed with all might -- once , twice , thrice then i_think I_must_have staggered feet I_know i_thought suddenly of_the moonlit corridor , and , with head bowed and arms over face , made run for_the door

but I had forgotten the exact position of_the door , and struck myself heavily against the corner of_the bed I staggered back , turned , and was either struck struck myself against some other bulky furniture I_have vague memory battering myself thus , and fro in_the darkness , cramped struggle , and of_my own wild crying I darted and fro, heavy blow last upon forehead , horrible sensation falling that lasted age , of_my last frantic effort to_keep footing, and then I remember more

I opened eyes daylight head was roughly bandaged, and_the man with_the withered arm was watching face I looked about , trying remember what had happened , and for space I_could_not recollect I rolled eyes into_the corner , and saw the old woman , longer abstracted , pouring out some drops medicine from little blue phial into glass " where am I ? " I asked ; "I seem remember you , and yet I_cannot who you_are "

they told then , and I heard of_the haunted red room one who hears tale " we_found you dawn ," said , " and there_was blood on_your forehead and lips "

it_was very slowly I recovered memory of_my experience " you believe now ," said the old man , " that_the room haunted ? " spoke longer one who greets intruder , but one who grieves for broken friend

" yes ," said I; " the room haunted "

" and you_have seen and , who_have lived here all our lives, have never set eyes upon because we_have never dared . tell , is_it truly the old earl who ----"

" ," said I; " it_is_not "

" i_told you ," said the old lady , with_the glass her hand " it_is his poor young countess who was frightened ----"

" it_is_not ," I_said " there_is neither ghost earl nor ghost countess in_that room , ghost there all ; but worse , far worse ----"

" well ? " they said

" the worst all the things that haunt poor mortal man ," said I; " and_that , all its nakedness -- fear that_will_not have light nor sound , bear with reason , that deafens and darkens and overwhelms followed through_the corridor , fought against in_the room ----"

I stopped abruptly there_was interval silence hand went up_to bandages

then the man with_the shade sighed and spoke " that_is ," said " I_knew that was_it power darkness to_put such curse upon woman ! lurks there always you_can feel even in_the daytime , even bright summer 's day , in_the hangings , in_the curtains, keeping behind you however you face about in_the dusk creeps along the corridor and follows you , so_that you dare not turn there_is fear in_that room hers -- black fear , and there_will_be -- so_long as_this house sin endures "

Section [1 | 2]