Dracula's Guest & Other Weird Tales - Gipsy Prophecy

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Gipsy Prophecy. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
recordings are in the public domain. For more information or
to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Kate
mac Kenzie. The Gipsy Prophecy by Bram Stoker. I really think,
said the doctor, that at any rate one of us
should go and try whether or not the thing is

(00:22):
an imposture. Gord, said Considine. After dinner, we will take
our cigars and stroll over to the camp accordingly. When
the dinner was over and the latour finished, Joshua Considine
and his friend doctor Burley went over to the east
side of the moor where the Gipsy encampment lay. As
they were leaving, Mary Considine, who had walked as far

(00:43):
toward the end of the garden where opened into the
lane way, called after her husband. Mind, Joshua, you're to
give them a fair chance, but don't give them any
clue to a fortune. And don't you get flirting with
any of the gypsy maidens, and take care to keep
Gerald out of harm. For answer, Considine held up his
hand as if taking a stage oath, and whistled the

(01:04):
air of the old song. The gipsy Countess Gerald joined
in the strain, and then breaking into merry laughter. The
two men passed along the lane way to the common,
turning now and then to wave their hands to Mary,
who leaned over the gate in the twilight looking after them.
It was a lovely evening in the summer. The very
air was full of rest and quiet happiness, as though

(01:25):
an outward type of the peacefulness and joy which made
a heaven of the home of the young married folk.
Considine's life had not been an eventful one. The only
disturbing element which he had ever known was in his
wooing of Mary Winston, and the long continued objection of
her ambitious parents, who expected a brilliant match for their
only daughter. When mister and Missus Winston had discovered the

(01:48):
attachment of the young barrister, they had tried to keep
the young people apart by sending their daughter away for
a long round of visits, having made her promise not
to correspond with her lover during her absence. Love, however,
had stood the test. Neither absence nor neglect seemed to
cool the passion of the young man, and jealousy seemed
a thing unknown to his sanguine nature. So after a

(02:09):
long period of waiting, the parents had given in and
the young folk were married. They had been living in
the cottage a few months and were just beginning to
feel at home. Gerald Burley, Joshua's old college chum, and
himself some time victim of Mary's beauty, had arrived a
week before to stay with them for as long a
time as he could tear himself away from his work
in London. When her husband had quite disappeared, Mary went

(02:33):
into the house, and, sitting down at the piano, gave
an hour to Mendelssohn. It was but a short walk
across the common, and before the cigars required renewing, the
two men had reached the gypsy camp. The place was
as picturesque as gypsy camps when in villages and when
business is good usually are. There were some few persons
round the fire investing their money in prophecy, and a

(02:55):
large number of others, poorer or more parsimonious, who stayed
just outside the bounds, but near enough to see all
that went on. As the two gentlemen approached, the villagers
who knew Joshua made way a little and a pretty
keen eyed gipsy girl tripped up and asked to tell
their fortunes. Joshua held out his hand, but the girl,
without seeming to see it, stared at his face in

(03:17):
a very odd manner. Gerald nudged him, you must cross
her hand with silver, he said, it is one of
the most important parts of the mystery. Joshua took from
his pocket a half crown and held it out to her,
but without looking at it, she answered, you have the
cross the gypsy's hand with gold. Gerald laughed, you are

(03:38):
at a premium as a subject. He said, Joshua was
of the kind of man, the universal kind, who can
tolerate being stared at by a pretty girl. So with
some little deliberation he answered, all right, here you are,
my pretty girl, but you must give me a real
good fortune for it, and he handed her a half sovereign,
which she took, saying, it is not God from me

(04:00):
to give good fortune or bad, but only to read
what the stars have said. She took his right hand
and turned it palm upward, but the instant her eyes
met it, she dropped it as though it had been
red hot, and with a startled look, glided swiftly away,
lifting the curtain of the large tent which occupied the
center of the camp. She disappeared within sold again, said

(04:23):
the cynical Gerald. Joshua stood a little amazed and not
altogether satisfied. They both watched the large tent. In a
few moments, there emerged from the opening, not the young girl,
but a stately looking woman of middle age and commanding presence.
The instant she appeared, the whole camp seemed to stand still.
The clamor of tongues, the laughter and noise of the

(04:46):
work were for a second or two arrested, and every
man or woman who sat or crouched or lay stood
up and faced the imperial looking gipsy. The Queen, of course,
murmured Gerald, we are in look to the gipsy. Queen
threw a searching glance around the camp, and then, without hesitating,
an instant came straight over and stood before Joshua. Hold

(05:09):
out your hand, she said, in a commanding tone. Again,
Gerald spoke sotto voce, I have not been spoken to
in that way since I was at school. Your hand
must be crossed with gold. A hundred percent at this game,
whispered Gerald. As Joshua laid another half sovereign on his
upturned palm. The Gipsy looked at the hand with knitted brows, then, suddenly,

(05:31):
looking up into his face, said, have you a strong will,
have you a true heart that can be brave for
one you love? I hope so, But I am afraid
I have not vanity enough to say yes. Then I
will answer for you, for I read resolution in your face, resolution,

(05:52):
desperate and determined. If need be, you'll have a wife
you love, Yes, emphatically, then leave her at once, never
see her face again. Go from her now. My love
is fresh and your heart is free from wicked intent.
Go quick, go far, and never see her face again.

(06:15):
Joshua drew away his hand quickly and said thank you,
stiffly but sarcastically. As he began to move away, I say,
said Gerald, you are not going like that, old man.
No use in being indignant with the stars or their profit,
and moreover your sovereign, what of it? At least hear
the matter out Silence, Ribald commanded the queen. You know

(06:40):
not what you do. Let him go and go ignorant.
If you will not be warned, Joshua immediately turned back.
At all events, you will see this thing out. He said. Now, madam,
you have given me advice, but I paid for a fortune.
Be warmed, said the Gipsy. The stars have been silent

(07:01):
for long. Let the mystery still wrap them round. My
dear madam. I do not get within touch of a
mystery every day, and I prefer for my money knowledge
rather than ignorance. I can get the latter commodity for
nothing when I want any of it, Gerald echoed the sentiment.
As for me, I have a large and unsaleable stock

(07:23):
on hand. The Gipsy queen eyed the two men sterling,
and then said, as you wish, you have chosen for
yourself and have met warning with scorn and appeal with
levity on your own heads. Be the doom, Amen, said Gerald,
with an imperious gesture. The queen took Joshua's hand again

(07:46):
and began to tell his fortune. I see here the
flowing of blood. It will flow before long. It is
running in my sight. It flows through the broken circle
of a severed ring. Go on, said Joshua, smiling. Gerald

(08:07):
was silent. Must I speak plainer? Certainly? We commonplace mortals
want something definite. The stars are a long way off,
and their words get somewhat dulled in the message. The
gypsy shuddered, and then spoke impressively, this is the hand

(08:28):
of a murderer, the murderer of his wife. She dropped
the hand and turned away. Joshua laughed. Do you know,
said he, I think if I were you, I should
prophecy some jurish brudance into my system. For instance, you
say this hand is the hand of a murderer. Well,

(08:50):
whatever it may be in the future or potentially it
is at present, not one you ought to give your
prophecy in such terms as the hand which will be
a murderers, or rather for the hand of one who
will be the murderer of his wife. The stars are
not really good on technical questions. The gypsy made no

(09:11):
reply of any kind, but with drooping head and despondent
me and walked slowly to her tent, and, lifting the curtain,
disappeared without speaking. The two men turned homewards and walked
across them all presently. After some little hesitation, Gerald spoke,
of course, old man, this is all a joke, a

(09:32):
ghastly one, but still a joke. But would it not
be well to keep it to ourselves? How do you
mean well, not tell your wife. He might alarm her,
alarm her, My dear Gerald, what are you thinking of?
Why she would not be alarmed or afraid of me?

(09:52):
If all the Gypsies that ever didn't come from behem
Me agreed that I was to murder her, or even
to have a hard thought of her. Whilst so long
as she was saying Jack Robinson, Gerald remonstrated, old fellow,
women are superstitious, far more than we men are. And
also they are blessed or cursed with a nervous system

(10:13):
to which we are strangers. I see too much of
it in my work not to realize it. Take my
advice and do not let her know, or you will
frighten her. Joshua's lips unconsciously hardened as he answered, my
dear fellow, I would not have a secret from my wife.
Why it would be the beginning of a new order

(10:34):
of things between us. We have no secrets from each other.
If we ever have, then you may begin to look
out for something odd between us, still, said Gerald, at
the risk of our welcome interference, I say again be
warned in time the gypsies very words, said Joshua, you,

(10:55):
and she seemed quite of one accord. Tell me, old ma'am,
is this a put up thing? You told me of
the gipsy camp? Did you arrange it all with her majesty?
This was said with an air of bantering earnestness. Gerald
assured him that he only heard of the camp that morning,
but he made fun of every answer of his friend,
and in the process of this raillery. The time passed

(11:16):
and they entered the cottage. Mary was sitting at the piano,
but not playing. The dim twilight had waked some very
tender feelings in her breast, and her eyes were full
of gentle tears. When the men came in, she sold
over to her husband's side and kissed him. Joshua struck
a tragic attitude, Mary, He said, in a deep voice,

(11:38):
before you approach me, listen to the words of fate.
The stars have spoken and the doom is sealed. What
is it, dear? Tell me the fortune, But do not
frighten me, not at all, my dear. But there is
a truth which it is well that you should know. Nay,
it is necessary so that all your arranged can be

(12:00):
made beforehand, and everything be decently done and in order,
go on, dear, I'm listening, Mary Conserdine, your effigy may
yet be seen at Madame toussants. Their juris imprudent stars
have announced their fell tidings that this hand is red
with blood, Your blood, Mary, Mary, my God. He sprang forward,

(12:26):
but too late to catch her, as she fell fainting
on the floor. I told you, said Gerald, you don't
know them as well as I do. After a little while,
Mary recovered from her swoon, but only to fall into
strong hysterics, in which she laughed and wept and raved
and cried keep him from me, from me, Joshua and
my husband, and many other words of entreaty and of fear.

(12:48):
Joshua Considine was in a state of mind bordering on agony,
and when at last Mary became calm, he knelt by
her and kissed her feet and hands and hair, and
called her all the sweet names, and said all the
ten the things his lips could frame. All that night
he sat by her bedside and held her hand. Far
through the night, and up to the early morning. She
kept waking from sleep and crying out as if in fear,

(13:11):
till she was comforted by the consciousness that her husband
was watching beside her breakfast was late the next morning,
but during it Joshua received a telegram which A cried
him to drive over to Withering, nearly twenty miles. He
was loath to go, but Mary would not hear of
his remaining, and so before noon he drove off in
his dog Heart alone. When he was gone, Mary retired

(13:32):
to her room. She did not appear at lunch, but
when afternoon tea was served on the lawn under the
great weeping willow, she came to join her guest. She
was looking quite recovered from her illness of the evening before.
After some casual remarks, she said to Gerald, of course
it was very silly about last night, but I could
not help feeling frightened. Indeed, I would feel so still

(13:54):
if I let myself think of it. But after all,
these people may only imagine things, and I have got
a test that can hardly fail to show that the
prediction is false, if indeed it be false, She added sadly.
What is your plan? Asked Gerald, I shall go myself
to the Gipsy camp and have my fortune told by

(14:15):
the queen capital May I go with you? Oh? No,
thou would spoil it. She might know you and guess
at me and suit her utterance accordingly, I shall go
alone this afternoon. When the afternoon was gone, Mary Considine
took her way to the gipsy encampment. Gerald went with
her as far as the near edge of the common

(14:36):
and returned alone. Half an hour had hardly elapsed when
Mary entered the drawing room, where he lay on a
sofa reading. She was ghastly pale and was in a
state of extreme excitement. Hardly had she passed over the
threshold when she collapsed and sank, moaning on the carpet.
Gerald rushed to aid her, but by a great effort

(14:57):
she controlled herself and motioned him to be silent. He waited,
and his ready attention to her wish seemed to be
her best help, for in a few minutes she had
somewhat recovered and was able to tell him what had passed.
When I got to the camp, she said, there did
not seem to be a soul about. I went into
the center and stood there. Suddenly a tall woman stood

(15:20):
beside me. Something told me I was wanted. She said,
I held out my hand and laid a piece of
silver on it. She took from her neck a small
golden trinket and laid it there also, and then, seizing
the two, threw them into the stream that ran by.
Then she took my hand in hers and spoke naught

(15:43):
but blood in this guilty place, and turned away. I
caught hold of her and asked her to tell me more.
After some hesitation, she said the last alas I see
you lying at your husband's feet, and his hands are
red with blood. Jerrold did not feel at all at
ease and tried to laugh it off. Surely, he said,

(16:05):
this woman has a craze about murder. Do not laugh,
said Mary, I cannot bear it, and then, as if
with a sudden impulse, she left the room. Not long after,
Joshua returned, bright and cheery and as hungry as a
hunter after his long drive. His presence cheered his wife,
who seemed much brighter that she did not mention the

(16:25):
episode of the visit to the gypsy camp, so Gerald
did not mention it either, as if by tacit consent.
The subject was not alluded to during the evening, but
there was a strange, settled look on Mary's face which
Gerald could not but observe. In the morning, Joshua came
down to breakfast later than usual. Mary had been up
and about the house from an early hour, but as

(16:46):
the time drew on she seemed to get a little nervous,
and now and again threw a round an anxious look.
Gerald could not help noticing that none of those at
breakfast could get on satisfactorily with their food. It was
not altogether that the chops were tough, but that the
knives were all so blunt. Being a guest, he of
course made no sign, but presently saw Joshua draw his

(17:09):
thumb across the edge of his knife in an unconscious
sort of way. Had the action, Mary turned pale and
almost fainted. After breakfast, they all went out on the lawn.
Mary was making up a bouquet and said to her husband,
get me a few of the tea roses. Dear. Joshua
pulled down a cluster from the front of the house.
The stem bent but was too tough to break. He

(17:30):
put his hand in his pocket to get his knife,
but in vain, lend me your knife, Gerald, he said.
But Gerald had not got one, so he went into
the breakfast room and took one from the table. He
came out feeling its edge and grumbling, what on earth
has happened to all the knives? The edges seem more
ground off. Mary turned away hurriedly and entered the house.

(17:53):
Joshua tried to sever the stalk with the blunt knife,
as country cooks severn the necks of fowl, as schoolboys
cut twine with a little fir. He finished the task.
The cluster of roses grew thick, so we determined to
gather a great bunch. He could not find a single
sharp knife in the sideboard where the cutlery was kept,
so he called Mary, and when she came, told her
the state of things. She looked so agitated and so

(18:15):
miserable that he could not help knowing the truth, And,
as if a standard and hurt, asked her, do you
mean to say that you have done it? She broke in, Oh, Joshua,
I was so afraid. He paused, and a set white
look came over his face. Mary said, he is this
all the trust you have in me? I would not

(18:38):
have believed it, Oh Joshua, Joshua. She cried entutingly, forgive me,
and wept bitterly. Joshua thought a moment, and then said,
I see how it is. We shall better end this,
or we shall all go mad. He ran into the
drawing room, Where are you going? Almost screamed. Mary saw

(19:00):
what he meant, that he would not be tied to
blunt instruments by the force of a superstition, and was
not surprised when he saw him come out through the
French window, bearing in his hand a large Gurkha knife,
which usually lay on the center table, and which his
brother had sent him from northern India. It was one
of those great hunting knives which worked such havoc at
close quarters with the enemies of the loyal Gurkhas during

(19:21):
the mutiny. Of great weight, but so evenly balanced in
the hand as to seem light, and with an edge
like a razor. With one of these knives, a Gurkha
can cut a sheep in two. When Mary saw him
come out of the room with the weapon in his hand,
she screamed in an agony of fright, and the hysterics
of last night were promptly renewed. Joshua ran toward her, and,

(19:44):
seeing her falling, threw down the knife and tried to
catch her. However, he was just a second too late,
and the two men cried out in horror simultaneously as
they saw her fall upon the naked blade. When Gerald
rushed over, he found that in falling her, the left
hand had struck the blade, which lay partly upwards on
the grass. Some of the small veins were cut through,

(20:06):
and the blood gushed freely from the wound. As he
was tying it up, he pointed out to Joshua that
the wedding ring was severed by the steel. They carried her,
fainting to the house, When after a while she came
out with her arm in a sling, she was peaceful
in her mind, unhappy. She said to her husband, the
Gipsy was wonderfully near the truth, too near for the

(20:29):
real thing ever to occur. Now, dear Joshua bent over
and kissed the wounded hand. End of the Gipsy prophecy
read by Kate mc kenzie