The House by the Church-Yard

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A PROLOGUE BEING A DISH OF VILLAGE CHAT.

CHAPTER I. THE RECTOR'S NIGHT-WALK TO HIS CHURCH.

CHAPTER II. THE NAMELESS COFFIN. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER III. MR. MERVYN IN HIS INN. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER IV. THE FAIR-GREEN OF PALMERSTOWN. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER V. HOW THE ROYAL IRISH ARTILLERY ENTERTAINED SOME OF

CHAPTER VI. IN WHICH THE MINSTRELSY PROCEEDS. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'N'

CHAPTER VII. SHOWING HOW TWO GENTLEMEN MAY MISUNDERSTAND ONE

CHAPTER VIII. RELATING HOW DOCTOR TOOLE AND CAPTAIN DEVEREUX

CHAPTER IX. HOW A SQUIRE WAS FOUND FOR THE KNIGHT OF THE RUEFUL COUNTENANCE. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'W'

CHAPTER X. THE DEAD SECRET, SHOWING HOW THE FIREWORKER PROVED

CHAPTER XI. SOME TALK ABOUT THE HAUNTED HOUSE BEING, AS I

CHAPTER XII. SOME ODD FACTS ABOUT THE TILED HOUSE BEING AN

CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH THE RECTOR VISITS THE TILED HOUSE, AND

CHAPTER XIV. RELATING HOW PUDDOCK PURGED O'FLAHERTY'S HEAD A

CHAPTER XV. AESCULAPIUS TO THE RESCUE. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'I'

CHAPTER XVI. THE ORDEAL BY BATTLE. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER XVII. LIEUTENANT PUDDOCK RECEIVES AN INVITATION AND A

CHAPTER XVIII. RELATING HOW THE GENTLEMEN SAT OVER THEIR CLARET, AND HOW DR. STURK SAW A FACE.

CHAPTER XIX. IN WHICH THE GENTLEMEN FOLLOW THE LADIES. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'H'

CHAPTER XX. IN WHICH MR. DANGERFIELD VISITS THE CHURCH OF

CHAPTER XXI. RELATING AMONG OTHER THINGS HOW DOCTOR TOOLE

CHAPTER XXII. TELLING HOW MR. MERVYN FARED AT BELMONT, AND OF A

CHAPTER XXIII. WHICH CONCERNS THE GRAND DINNER AT THE KING'S

CHAPTER XXIV. IN WHICH TWO YOUNG PERSONS UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER

CHAPTER XXV. IN WHICH THE SUN SETS, AND THE MERRY-MAKING IS

CHAPTER XXVI. RELATING HOW THE BAND OF THE ROYAL IRISH

CHAPTER XXVII. CONCERNING THE TROUBLES AND THE SHAPES THAT

CHAPTER XXVIII. IN WHICH MR. IRONS RECOUNTS SOME OLD

CHAPTER XXIX. SHOWING HOW POOR MRS. MACNAMARA WAS TROUBLED AND

CHAPTER XXX. CONCERNING A CERTAIN WOMAN IN BLACK. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'A'

CHAPTER XXXI. BEING A SHORT HISTORY OF THE GREAT BATTLE OF

CHAPTER XXXII. NARRATING HOW LIEUTENANT PUDDOCK AND CAPTAIN

CHAPTER XXXIII. IN WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX'S FIDDLE PLAYS A

CHAPTER XXXIV. IN WHICH LILIAS HEARS A STAVE OF AN OLD SONG AND

CHAPTER XXXV. IN WHICH AUNT BECKY AND DOCTOR TOOLE, IN FULL

CHAPTER XXXVI. NARRATING HOW MISS LILIAS VISITED BELMONT, AND

CHAPTER XXXVII. SHOWING HOW SOME OF THE FEUDS IN CHAPELIZOD

CHAPTER XXXVIII. DREAMS AND TROUBLES, AND A DARK LOOK-OUT. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'S'

CHAPTER XXXIX. TELLING HOW LILIAS WALSINGHAM FOUND TWO LADIES

CHAPTER XL. OF A MESSENGER FROM CHAPELIZOD VAULT WHO WAITED IN

CHAPTER XLI. IN WHICH THE RECTOR COMES HOME, AND LILY SPEAKS

CHAPTER XLII. IN WHICH DR. STURK TRIES THIS WAY AND THAT FOR A

CHAPTER XLIII. SHOWING HOW CHARLES NUTTER'S BLOW DESCENDED, AND

CHAPTER XLIV. RELATING HOW, IN THE WATCHES OF THE NIGHT, A

CHAPTER XLV. CONCERNING A LITTLE REHEARSAL IN CAPTAIN CLUFFE'S,

CHAPTER XLVI. THE CLOSET SCENE, WITH THE PART OF POLONIUS OMITTED.

CHAPTER XLVII. IN WHICH PALE HECATE VISITS THE MILLS, AND

CHAPTER XLVIII. SWANS ON THE WATER. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'A'

CHAPTER XLIX. SWANS IN THE WATER. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'W'

CHAPTER L. TREATING OF SOME CONFUSION, IN CONSEQUENCE, IN THE

CHAPTER LI. HOW CHARLES NUTTER'S TEA, PIPE, AND TOBACCO-BOX

CHAPTER LII. CONCERNING A ROULEAU OF GUINEAS AND THE CRACK OF A PISTOL. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'D'

CHAPTER LIII. RELATING AFTER WHAT FASHION DR. STURK CAME HOME. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'A'

CHAPTER LIV. IN WHICH MISS MAGNOLIA MACNAMARA AND DR. TOOLE, IN

CHAPTER LV. IN WHICH DR. TOOLE, IN FULL COSTUME, STANDS UPON

CHAPTER LVI. DOCTOR WALSINGHAM AND THE CHAPELIZOD CHRISTIANS

CHAPTER LVII. IN WHICH DR. TOOLE AND MR. LOWE MAKE A VISIT AT

CHAPTER LVIII. IN WHICH ONE OF LITTLE BOPEEP'S SHEEP COMES HOME

CHAPTER LIX. TELLING HOW A COACH DREW UP AT THE ELMS, AND TWO

CHAPTER LX. BEING A CHAPTER OF HOOPS, FEATHERS, AND BRILLIANTS,

CHAPTER LXI. IN WHICH THE GHOSTS OF A BY-GONE SIN KEEP TRYST. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'D'

CHAPTER LXII. OF A SOLEMN RESOLUTION WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX

CHAPTER LXIII. IN WHICH A LIBERTY IS TAKEN WITH MR. NUTTER'S

CHAPTER LXIV. BEING A NIGHT SCENE, IN WHICH MISS GERTRUDE

CHAPTER LXV. RELATING SOME AWFUL NEWS THAT REACHED THE VILLAGE,

CHAPTER LXVI. OF A CERTAIN TEMPEST THAT AROSE AND SHOOK THE

CHAPTER LXVII. IN WHICH A CERTAIN TROUBLED SPIRIT WALKS.

CHAPTER LXVIII. HOW AN EVENING PASSES AT THE ELMS, AND DR.

CHAPTER LXIX. CONCERNING A SECOND HURRICANE THAT RAGED IN

CHAPTER LXX. IN WHICH AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR IS SEEN. IN THE

CHAPTER LXXI. IN WHICH MR. IRONS'S NARRATIVE REACHES MERTON MOOR.

CHAPTER LXXII. IN WHICH THE APPARITION OF MR. IRONS IS SWALLOWED IN DARKNESS. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER LXXIII. CONCERNING A CERTAIN GENTLEMAN, WITH A BLACK

CHAPTER LXXIV. IN WHICH DOCTOR TOOLE, IN HIS BOOTS, VISITS MR.

CHAPTER LXXV. HOW A GENTLEMAN PAID A VISIT AT THE BRASS CASTLE,

CHAPTER LXXVI. RELATING HOW THE CASTLE WAS TAKEN, AND HOW

CHAPTER LXXVII. IN WHICH IRISH MELODY PREVAILS. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'N'

CHAPTER LXXVIII. IN WHICH, WHILE THE HARMONY CONTINUES IN

CHAPTER LXXIX. SHOWING HOW LITTLE LILY'S LIFE BEGAN TO CHANGE

CHAPTER LXXX. IN WHICH TWO ACQUAINTANCES BECOME, ON A SUDDEN,

CHAPTER LXXXI. IN WHICH MR. DANGERFIELD RECEIVES A VISITOR, AND MAKES A CALL. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'D'

CHAPTER LXXXII. IN WHICH MR. PAUL DANGERFIELD PAYS HIS RESPECTS

CHAPTER LXXXIII. IN WHICH THE KNIGHT OF THE SILVER SPECTACLES

CHAPTER LXXXIV. IN WHICH CHRISTIANA GOES OVER; AND DAN LOFTUS COMES HOME. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER LXXXV. IN WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX HEARS THE NEWS; AND

CHAPTER LXXXVI. IN WHICH MR. PAUL DANGERFIELD MOUNTS THE STAIRS

CHAPTER LXXXVII. IN WHICH TWO COMRADES ARE TETE-A-TETE IN THEIR

CHAPTER LXXXVIII. IN WHICH MR. MOORE THE BARBER ARRIVES, AND

CHAPTER LXXXIX. IN WHICH A CERTAIN SONGSTER TREATS THE COMPANY

CHAPTER XC. MR. PAUL DANGERFIELD HAS SOMETHING ON HIS MIND, AND CAPTAIN DEVEREUX RECEIVES A MESSAGE.

CHAPTER XCI. CONCERNING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS WHICH REACHED MR.

CHAPTER XCII. THE WHER-WOLF. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'A'

CHAPTER XCIII. IN WHICH DOCTOR TOOLE AND DIRTY DAVY CONFER IN THE BLUE-ROOM.

CHAPTER XCIV. WHAT DOCTOR STURK BROUGHT TO MIND, AND ALL THAT

CHAPTER XCV. IN WHICH DOCTOR PELL DECLINES A FEE, AND DOCTOR STURK A PRESCRIPTION. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'I'

CHAPTER XCVI. ABOUT THE RIGHTFUL MRS. NUTTER OF THE MILLS, AND HOW MR. MERVYN RECEIVED THE NEWS.

CHAPTER XCVII. IN WHICH OBEDIAH ARRIVES. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'I'

CHAPTER XCVIII. IN WHICH CHARLES ARCHER PUTS HIMSELF UPON THE COUNTRY. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

CHAPTER XCIX. THE STORY ENDS. ORNAMENTAL CAPITAL 'T'

Title: The House by the Church-Yard

Author: J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1


THE HOUSE

BY

THE CHURCH-YARD

J. SHERIDAN LE FANU

AUTHOR OF 'UNCLE SILAS' AND 'TORLOGH O'BRIEN'

Dublin:
JAMES DUFFY AND CO., Ltd. NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.
1904.

Printed by Edmund Burke & Co., 61 & 62 GREAT STRAND STREET, DUBLIN.




CONTENTS.

  A Prologue—being a dish of village chat 1
I. The rector's night-walk to his church 9
II. The nameless coffin 12
III. Mr. Mervyn in his inn 15
IV. The Fair-green of Palmerstown 18
V. How the Royal Artillery entertained some of the
neighbours at dinner 25
VI. In which the minstrelsy proceeds 32
VII. Showing how two gentlemen may misunderstand one another,
without enabling the company to understand their quarrel 35
VIII. Relating how Doctor Toole and Captain Devereux went
on a moonlight errand 40
IX. How a squire was found for the knight of the rueful
countenance 44
X. The dead secret, showing how the fireworker proved to
Puddock that Nutter had spied out the nakedness of the land 48
XI. Some talk about the haunted housebeing, as I suppose,
only old woman's tales 53
XII. Some odd facts about the Tiled Housebeing an
authentic narrative of the ghost of a hand 57
XIII. In which the rector visits the Tiled House,
and Doctor Toole looks after the Brass Castle 63
XIV. Relating how Puddock purged O'Flaherty's heada
chapter which, it is hoped, no genteel person will read 66
XV. Æsculapius to the rescue 69
XVI. The ordeal by battle 73
XVII. Lieutenant Puddock receives an invitation and a rap
over the knuckles 81
XVIII. Relating how the gentlemen sat over their claret,
and how Doctor Sturk saw a face 86
XIX. In which the gentlemen follow the ladies 91
XX. In which Mr. Dangerfield visits the church of Chapelizod,
and Zekiel Irons goes a-fishing 94
XXI. Relating among other things how Doctor Toole walked
up to the Tiled House, and of his pleasant discourse with
Mr. Mervyn 100
XXII. Telling how Mr. Mervyn fared at Belmont, and of a pleasant
little dejeuner by the margin of the Liffey 104
XXIII. Which concerns the grand dinner at the King's House, and
who were there, and something of their talk, reveries,
disputes, and general jollity 108
XXIV. In which two young persons understand one another better,
perhaps, than ever they did before, without saying so 113
XXV. In which the sun sets, and the merry-making is kept up
by candle-light in the King's House, and Lily receives a
warning which she does not comprehend 116
XXVI. Relating how the band of the Royal Irish Artillery played,
and, while the music was going on, how variously different
people were moved 122
XXVII. Concerning the troubles and the shapes that began to gather
about Doctor Sturk 125
XXVIII. In which Mr. Irons recounts some old recollections about
the Pied-horse and the Flower de Luce 129
XXIX. Showing how poor Mrs. Macnamara was troubled and
haunted too, and opening a budget of gossip 132
XXX. Concerning a certain woman in black 137
XXXI. Being a short history of the great battle of Belmont that
lasted for so many days, wherein the belligerents showed
so much constancy and valour, and sometimes one side
and sometimes t'other was victorious 141
XXXII. Narrating how Lieutenant Puddock and Captain Devereux
brewed a bowl of punch, and how they sang and discoursed
together 143
XXXIII. In which Captain Devereux's fiddle plays a prelude to
'Over the hills and far away' 146
XXXIV. In which Lilias hears a stave of an old song and there is a
leave-taking beside the river 148
XXXV. In which Aunt Becky and Doctor Toole, in full blow,
with Dominick the footman, behind, visit Miss Lily at
the Elms 152
XXXVI. Narrating how Miss Lilias visited Belmont, and saw a
strange cocked-hat in the shadow by the window 155
XXXVII. Showing how some of the feuds in Chapelizod wared
fiercer, and others were solemnly condoned 158
XXXVIII. Dreams and troubles, and a dark look-out 163
XXXIX. Telling how Lilias Walsingham found two ladies awaiting
her arrival at the Elms 166
XL. Of a messenger from Chapelizod vault who waited in the
Tiled House for Mr. Mervyn 168
XLI. In which the rector comes home, and Lily speaks her
mind, and time glides on, and Aunt Rebecca calls at
the Elms 173
XLII. In which Doctor Sturk tries this way and that for a reprieve
on the eve of execution 177
XLIII. Showing how Charles Nutter's blow descended, and what
part the silver spectacles bore in the crisis 180
XLIV. Relating how, in the watches of the night, a vision came
to Sturk, and his eyes were opened 184
XLV. Concerning a little rehearsal in Captain Cluffe's lodging,
and a certain confidence between Doctor Sturk and Mr.
Dangerfield 187
XLVI. The closet scene, with the part of Polonius omitted 191
XLVII. In which pale Hecate visits the Mills, and Charles Nutter,
Esq., orders tea 195
XLVIII. Swans on the water 202
XLIX. Swans in the water 206
L. Treating of some confusion, in consequence, in the club-room
of the Phoenix and elsewhere, and of a hat that
was picked up 208
LI. How Charles Nutter's tea, pipe, and tobacco-box were all
set out for him in the small parlour at the Mills, and
how that night was passed in the house by the church-yard 213
LII. Concerning a rouleau of guineas and the crack of a pistol 218
LIII. Relating after what fashion Doctor Sturk came home 221
LIV. In which Miss Magnolia and Doctor Toole, in different
scenes, prove themselves Good Samaritans; and the
great Doctor Pell mounts the stairs of the House by the
Church-yard 225
LV. In which Doctor Toole, in full costume, stands upon the
hearth-stone of the club, and illuminates the company
with his back to the fire 230
LVI. Doctor Walsingham and the Chapelizod Christians meet
to the sound of the holy bell, and a vampire sits in the
church 233
LVII. In which Doctor Toole and Mr. Lowe make a visit at
the Mills, and recognise something remarkable while
there 235
LVIII. In which one of little Bopeep's sheep comes home again,
and various theories are entertained respecting Charles
Nutter and Lieutenant Puddock 239
LIX. Telling How a Coach Drew Up at the Elms, and Two Fine
  Ladies, Dressed For the Ball, Stepped in. 244
LX. Being a Chapter of Hoops, Feathers, and Brilliants,
  and Bucks And Fiddlers. 249
LXI. In Which the Ghosts of a By-gone Sin Keep Tryst. 254
LXII. Of a Solemn Resolution Which Captain Devereux Registered
  Among His Household Gods, With a Libation. 257
LXIII. In Which a Liberty Is Taken With Mr. Nutter's Name,
  and Mr. Dangerfield Stands at the Altar. 261
LXIV. Being a Night Scene, in Which Miss Gertrude Chattesworth,
  Being Adjured By Aunt Becky, Makes Answer. 266
LXV. Relating Some Awful News That Reached the Village,
  and How Dr. Walsingham Visited Captain Richard
  Devereux at His Lodgings. 271
LXVI. Of a Certain Tempest That Arose and Shook the
  Captain's Spoons And Tea-cups; and How the Wind
  Suddenly Went Down. 274
LXVII. In Which a Certain Troubled Spirit Walks 278
LXVIII. How an Evening Passes at the Elms, and Dr. Toole Makes
  a Little Excursion; and Two Choice Spirits Discourse,
  and Hebe Trips in With The Nectar. 281
LXIX. Concerning a Second Hurricane That Raged in Captain
  Devereux's Drawing-room, and Relating How Mrs. Irons
  Was Attacked With a Sort Of Choking in Her Bed. 285
LXX. In Which an Unexpected Visitor Is Seen in the
  Cedar-parlour of The Tiled House, and the Story of
  Mr. Beauclerc and the 'flower de Luce' Begins To
  Be Unfolded. 290
LXXI. In Which Mr. Irons's Narrative Reaches Merton Moor. 295
LXXII. In Which the Apparition of Mr. Irons Is Swallowed in
  Darkness. 300
LXXIII. Concerning a Certain Gentleman, with a Black Patch
  Over His Eye, who made some Visits with a Lady,
  in Chapelizod and its Neighbourhood. 304
LXXIV. In Which Doctor Toole, in His Boots, Visits Mr. Gamble,
  and Sees an Ugly Client of That Gentleman's; and
  Something Crosses an Empty Room. 307
LXXV. How a Gentleman Paid a Visit at the Brass Castle, and
  There Read A Paragraph in an Old Newspaper. 311
LXXVI. Relating How the Castle Was Taken, and How Mistress
  Moggy Took Heart Of Grace. 316
LXXVII. In Which Irish Melody Prevails. 321
LXXVIII. In Which, While the Harmony Continues in Father Roach's
  Front Parlour, A Few Discords Are Introduced Elsewhere;
  and Doctor Toole Arrives in The Morning With a
  Marvellous Budget of News. 325
LXXIX. Showing How Little Lily's Life Began To Change Into
  a Retrospect; And How on a Sudden She Began To Feel
  Better. 330
LXXX. In Which Two Acquaintances Become, on a Sudden,
  Marvellously Friendly In The Church-yard; and Mr.
  Dangerfield Smokes a Pipe in the Brass Castle,
  and Resolves That the Dumb Shall Speak. 333
LXXXI. In Which Mr. Dangerfield Receives a Visitor, and Makes
  a Call. 339
LXXXII. In Which Mr. Paul Dangerfield Pays His Respects and
  Compliments At Belmont; Where Other Visitors Also
  Present Themselves. 343
LXXXIII. In Which the Knight of the Silver Spectacles Makes the
  Acquaintance Of The Sage 'black Dillon,' and Confers
  With Him in His Retreat. 349
LXXXIV. In Which Christiana Goes Over; and Dan Loftus
  Comes Home. 353
LXXXV. In Which Captain Devereux Hears the News; and Mr.
  Dangerfield Meets An Old Friend After Dinner. 357
LXXXVI. In Which Mr. Paul Dangerfield Mounts the Stairs of the
  House by The Church-yard, and Makes Some Arrangements. 364
LXXXVII. In Which Two Comrades Are Tete-a-tete in Their Old
  Quarters, and Doctor Sturk's Cue Is Cut Off, and a
  Consultation Commences. 370
LXXXVIII. In Which Mr. Moore the Barber Arrives, and the Medical
  Gentlemen Lock The Door. 376
LXXXIX. In Which a Certain Songster Treats the Company To a
  Dolorous Ballad Whereby Mr. Irons Is Somewhat Moved. 384
XC. Mr. Paul Dangerfield Has Something on His Mind, and
  Captain Devereux Receives a Message. 390
XCI. Concerning Certain Documents Which
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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