He dreamed , no doubt , that her beauty was not dimmed , but brightened into superhuman splendor . With such anticipations he stole reverentially to the door at which the physician stood , but paused upon the threshold , gazing fearfully into the gloom of the darkened chamber . `` Where is the Lady Eleanore ? '' whispered he . `` Call her , '' replied the physician . `` Lady Eleanore ! princess ! queen of Death ! '' cried Jervase Helwyse , advancing three steps into the chamber . `` She is not here . There , on yonder table , I behold the sparkle of a diamond which once she wore upon her bosom . There '' -- and he shuddered -- `` there hangs her mantle , on which a dead woman embroidered a spell of dreadful potency . But where is the Lady Eleanore ? '' Something stirred within the silken curtains of a canopied bed and a low moan was uttered , which , listening intently , Jervase Helwyse began to distinguish as a woman 's voice complaining dolefully of thirst . He fancied , even , that he recognized its tones . `` My throat ! My throat is scorched , '' murmured the voice . `` A drop of water ! '' `` What thing art thou ? '' said the brain-stricken youth , drawing near the bed and tearing asunder its curtains .
`` Whose voice hast thou stolen for thy murmurs and miserable petitions , as if Lady XXXXX could be conscious of mortal infirmity ?
Eleanore Helwyse Lady anticipations curtains mantle splendor thirst threshold throat