Auriol | Page 6

efficacy of the experiment, left it to
work, while I went forth to breath the air at my window. My eyes were
cast upwards, and I was struck with the malignant aspect of my star.
How to reconcile this with the good fortune which has just befallen me,
I know not -- but so it was. At this juncture, your rash, but pious
attempt occurred. Having discovered our relationship, and enjoined the
gatekeeper to bring you hither, I returned to my old laboratory. On
glancing towards the mystic volume, what was my surprise to see the
page free from blood!"
Auriol uttered a slight exclamation, and gazed at the book with
superstitious awe.
"The sight was so surprising, that I dropped the sack I had brought with
me," pursued Darcy. "Fearful of again losing the secret, I nerved
myself to the task, and placing fuel on the fire, dismissed my attendant
with brief injunctions relative to you. I then set to work. How I have
succeeded, you perceive. I hold in my hand the treasure I have so long
sought -- so eagerly coveted. The whole world's wealth should not
purchase it from me."
Auriol gazed earnestly at his aged relative, but he said nothing.
"In a few moments I shall be as full of vigour and activity as yourself,"
continued Darcy. "We shall be no longer the great-grandsire and his
descendant, but friends -- companions -- equals, -- equals in age,
strength, activity, beauty, fortune -- for youth is fortune ha! ha!
Methinks I am already young again!"
"You spoke of two crimes with which your conscience was burdened,"
remarked Auriol. "You have mentioned but one."
"The other was not so foul as that I have described," replied Darcy, in

an altered tone, "in as much as it was unintentional, and occasioned by
no base motive. My wife, your ancestress, was a most lovely woman,
and so passionately was I enamoured of her, that I tried by every art to
heighten and preserve her beauty. I fed her upon the flesh of capons,
nourished with vipers; caused her to steep her lovely limbs in baths
distilled from roses and violets; and had recourse to the most potent
cosmetics. At last I prepared a draught from poisons -- yes, poisons --
the effect of which I imagined would be wondrous. She drank it, and
expired horribly disfigured. Conceive my despair at beholding the fair
image of my idolatry destroyed -- defaced by my hand. In my frenzy I
should have laid violent hands upon myself, if I had not been restrained.
Love may again rule my heart -- beauty may again dazzle my eyes, but
I shall never more feel the passion I entertained for my lost Amice --
never more behold charms equal to hers."
And he pressed his hand to his face.
"The mistake you then committed should serve as a warning," replied
Auriol. "What if it be poison you have now confected? Try a few drops
of it on some animal."
"No -- no; it is the true elixir," replied Darcy. "Not a drop must be
wasted. You will witness its effect anon. Like the snake, I shall cast my
slough, and come forth younger than I was at twenty."
"Meantime, I beseech you to render me some assistance," groaned
Auriol, "or, while you are preparing for immortality, I shall expire
before your eyes."
"Be not afraid," replied Darcy; "you shall take no harm. I will care for
you presently; and I understand leechcraft so well, that I will answer for
your speedy and perfect recovery."
"Drink, then, to it!" cried Auriol.
"I know not what stays my hand," said the old man, raising the phial;
"but now that immortality is in my reach, I dare not grasp it."

"Give me the potion, then," cried Auriol.
"Not for worlds," rejoined Darcy, hugging the phial to his breast. "No; I
will be young again -- rich -- happy. I will go forth into the world -- I
will bask in the smiles of beauty -- I will feast, revel, sing -- life shall
be one perpetual round of enjoyment. Now for the trial -- ha!" and, as
he raised the potion towards his lips, a sudden pang shot across his
heart. "What is this?" he cried, staggering. "Can death assail me when I
am just about to enter upon perpetual life? Help me, good grandson!
Place the phial to my lips. Pour its contents down my throat -- quick!
quick!"
"I am too weak to stir," groaned Auriol. "You have delayed it too long."
"Oh, Heavens! we shall both perish," shrieked Darcy, vainly
endeavouring to raise his palsied arm, -- "perish with the blissful shore
in view."
And he sank backwards, and would have fallen to the ground if he