It swung heavily aside, disclosing a small
ante-room, destitute of all furniture save a large oaken chest, that
seemed to be the depository, or "ark," as it was usually called, for the
safe keeping of the family archives.
The conductor approaching an opposite door gave a private signal. It
flew open as if by its own impulse, displaying a chamber of no mean
dimensions, in which, by the light from a gigantic lamp, was seen a
figure seated before a table absolutely groaning with piles of books,
and various apparatus of unknown and wondrous import. Instruments of
unimaginable shape lay in heaps round the apartment; their use it were
impossible to conjecture. Furnaces, alembics, jars, glass urinals, and
bottles of all sizes, rendered the chamber perilous of access, save to
those who were acquainted with the intricacies of this labyrinth. "Sir
Edward," as he was yet generally styled, looked full at his visitors as
they entered. His eye was large and dark, the expression fierce and
commanding. He was clad in a gown of black silk, covering an inner vest
of sables. From a broad belt, glittering with costly stones, hung a
short sword and a pair of pistols richly embossed.
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