DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22902#0069
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fore he had reached the lobby, he felt as if some one had laid his
hand on his shoulder ; the King started and looked back, but
to his surprise he could see nothing ; he attempted to move
forward, but he could not; he again looked back and placed
his hand on his sword, but, strange to say, it stuck fast to its
scabbard, nor could he disengage his hand from the hilt;
a cold shudder slowly crept over him ; his knees smote against
each other, his teeth chattered, and cold drops of perspira-
tion stood on his forehead. At last, with a strong effort, the
King shrieked aloud, which roused the maid servants from then-
sleep ; they all in a hurry ran to the staircase. But a certain
dark skinny hand had quickly seized the King by his cummer-
bund (s), and with one sudden jerk raised him up from the
ground, and before any one could come to his assistance,
he was thi'own violently against the stone wall, and his
head was smashed to pieces. Soon after the women set up a
loud cry, and the whole house was in an uproar.- But all at
once Moteeram and Jovunnia suddenly disappeared, nor were
they heard of ever after ! All was now confusion. It was re-
marked, however, that notwithstanding all this noise and
uproar, Neeroopoma was still asleep ; the maid servants there-
fore immediatly ran to the bed-chamber to acquaint her with
this disastrous catastrophe, but here again they were struck
with another sight; Neeroopoma lay stretched on her bed pale
and emaciated, her hands and feet were cold as ice,—she
slept, alas ! "the sleep from which no one waketh."
(s) Waistband.
fore he had reached the lobby, he felt as if some one had laid his
hand on his shoulder ; the King started and looked back, but
to his surprise he could see nothing ; he attempted to move
forward, but he could not; he again looked back and placed
his hand on his sword, but, strange to say, it stuck fast to its
scabbard, nor could he disengage his hand from the hilt;
a cold shudder slowly crept over him ; his knees smote against
each other, his teeth chattered, and cold drops of perspira-
tion stood on his forehead. At last, with a strong effort, the
King shrieked aloud, which roused the maid servants from then-
sleep ; they all in a hurry ran to the staircase. But a certain
dark skinny hand had quickly seized the King by his cummer-
bund (s), and with one sudden jerk raised him up from the
ground, and before any one could come to his assistance,
he was thi'own violently against the stone wall, and his
head was smashed to pieces. Soon after the women set up a
loud cry, and the whole house was in an uproar.- But all at
once Moteeram and Jovunnia suddenly disappeared, nor were
they heard of ever after ! All was now confusion. It was re-
marked, however, that notwithstanding all this noise and
uproar, Neeroopoma was still asleep ; the maid servants there-
fore immediatly ran to the bed-chamber to acquaint her with
this disastrous catastrophe, but here again they were struck
with another sight; Neeroopoma lay stretched on her bed pale
and emaciated, her hands and feet were cold as ice,—she
slept, alas ! "the sleep from which no one waketh."
(s) Waistband.