A moment
yet, and by the same door, last of all, entered lord Herbert, alone,
in his garb of astrologer. He came before his father, bowed to him
profoundly, and taking his place by his right hand, a little in
front of the chair, cast a keen eye around the assembly. His look
was grave, even troubled, and indeed somewhat anxious.
'Are all present?' he asked, and was answered only by silence. He
then waved his right hand three times towards heaven, each time
throwing open his palm outwards and upwards. At the close of the
third wafture, a roar as of thunder broke and rolled about the
place, making the huge hall tremble, and the windows rattle and
shake fearfully. Some thought it was thunder, others thought it more
like the consecutive discharge of great guns. It grew darker, and
through the dim stained window many saw a dense black smoke rising
from the stone-court, at sight of which they trembled yet more, for
what could it be but the chariot upon which Modo, or Mahu, or
whatever the demon might be called, rode up from the infernal lake?
Again lord Herbert waved his arm three times, and again the thunder
broke and rolled vibrating about the place.
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