Two or three aged men , while protesting against an inference which might be drawn , affirmed that the person within was a negro and bore a singular resemblance to old Cæsar , formerly a slave in the house , but freed by death some thirty years before . `` Her summons has waked up a servant of the old family , '' said one , half seriously . `` Let us wait here , '' replied another ; `` more guests will knock at the door anon . But the gate of the graveyard should be thrown open . '' Twilight had overspread the town before the crowd began to separate or the comments on this incident were exhausted . One after another was wending his way homeward , when a coach -- no common spectacle in those days -- drove slowly into the street . It was an old-fashioned equipage , hanging close to the ground , with arms on the panels , a footman behind and a grave , corpulent coachman seated high in front , the whole giving an idea of solemn state and dignity . There was something awful in the heavy rumbling of the wheels . The coach rolled down the street , till , coming to the gateway of the deserted mansion , it drew up , and the footman sprang to the ground . `` Whose grand coach is this ? '' asked a very inquisitive body . The footman made no reply , but ascended the steps of the old house , gave three taps with the iron hammer , and returned to open the coach door . An old man possessed of the heraldic lore so common in that day examined the shield of arms on the panel . `` Azure , a lion 's head erased , between three flowers de luce , '' said he , then whispered the name of the family to whom these bearings belonged . The last inheritor of its honors was recently dead , after a long residence amid the splendor of the British court , where his birth and wealth had given him no mean station . `` He left no child , '' continued the herald , `` and these arms , being in a lozenge , betoken that the coach appertains to his widow . '' Further disclosures , perhaps , might have been made had not the speaker been suddenly struck dumb by the stern eye of an ancient lady who thrust forth her head from the coach , preparing to descend . As she emerged the people saw that her dress was magnificent , and her figure dignified in spite of age and infirmity -- a stately ruin , but with a look at once of pride and wretchedness . Her strong and rigid features had an awe about them unlike that of the white Old Maid , but as of something evil . She passed up the steps , leaning on a gold-headed cane .
The door swung open as she ascended , and the light of a torch glittered on the embroidery of her dress and gleamed on the pillars XXXXX the porch .
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