There was so strange a characteristic in her manners and sentiments that it astonished every right-minded listener , till , looking in her face , a lurking and incomprehensible glance and smile perplexed them with doubts both as to her seriousness and sanity . Gradually , Lady Eleanore Rochcliffe 's circle grew smaller , till only four gentlemen remained in it . These were Captain Langford , the English officer before mentioned ; a Virginian planter who had come to Massachusetts on some political errand ; a young Episcopal clergyman , the grandson of a British earl ; and , lastly , the private secretary of Governor Shute , whose obsequiousness had won a sort of tolerance from Lady Eleanore . At different periods of the evening the liveried servants of the province-house passed among the guests bearing huge trays of refreshments and French and Spanish wines . Lady Eleanore Rochcliffe , who refused to wet her beautiful lips even with a bubble of champagne , had sunk back into a large damask chair , apparently overwearied either with the excitement of the scene or its tedium ; and while , for an instant , she was unconscious of voices , laughter and music , a young man stole forward and knelt down at her feet . He bore a salver in his hand on which was a chased silver goblet filled to the brim with wine , which he offered as reverentially as to a crowned queen -- or , rather , with the awful devotion of a priest doing sacrifice to his idol . Conscious that some one touched her robe , Lady Eleanore started , and unclosed her eyes upon the pale , wild features and dishevelled hair of Jervase Helwyse . `` Why do you haunt me thus ? '' said she , in a languid tone , but with a kindlier feeling than she ordinarily permitted herself to express . `` They tell me that I have done you harm . '' `` Heaven knows if that be so , '' replied the young man , solemnly . `` But , Lady Eleanore , in requital of that harm , if such there be , and for your own earthly and heavenly welfare , I pray you to take one sip of this holy wine and then to pass the goblet round among the guests . And this shall be a symbol that you have not sought to withdraw yourself from the chain of human sympathies , which whoso would shake off must keep company with fallen angels . '' `` Where has this mad fellow stolen that sacramental vessel ? '' exclaimed the Episcopal clergyman . This question drew the notice of the guests to the silver cup , which was recognized as appertaining to the communion-plate of the Old South Church , and , for aught that could be known , it was brimming over with the consecrated wine . `` Perhaps it is poisoned , '' half whispered the governor 's secretary . `` Pour it down the villain 's throat ! '' cried the Virginian , fiercely . `` Turn him out of the house ! ''
cried Captain XXXXX , seizing Jervase Helwyse so roughly by the shoulder that the sacramental cup was overturned and its contents sprinkled upon Lady Eleanore 's mantle .
British Church Helwyse Langford Massachusetts Rochcliffe aught goblet obsequiousness requital