Cruel As The Grave - Page 86/237

"I am a lady's death!" replied the stranger, in a tone so grim that Miss

Tabby ejaculated: "Heaven have mercy on us!"

Joe was about to direct the stranger to the ladies' dressing-rooms, when

his attention was suddenly diverted by the arrival of a crowd of

"knights," "Indians," "Welsh bards," "grisettes," "Greek slaves,"

et cætera, who demanded immediate service. The usher divided them according

to their sexes, and then noticed that the ghastly figure of "Death"

joined the gentlemen's party and accompanied them to their

dressing-room.