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Rh been offended by an affectionate daughter’s wish to see her again, especially, too, when many years were elapsed since that wish had been framed; and I felt so conscious of my own inconsistency, that at last I took courage, and looked for the ghost,—but whether my senses were too confused to discern objects, or that no one was there, I cannot tell. I did not perceive any thing unusual, yet as I advanced on the staircase, I heard of new, and always more distinctly, the sound of steps following close behind me. I came to the room-door on the corridor, however, but there my gown was held fast; I could proceed no farther, and sank down on the threshold in an agony of fear.

In a few moments afterwards, I luckily discovered by the light of my candle, which had not been extinguished, that in this last accident there was nothing supernatural;—my dress had caught hold of an old chest of drawers, with rough brass handles, which had been placed in the corridor, to be removed on the following day. This gave me new courage; I felt indignant at my own folly, rose and went on to the clothes’ press; but think only, Florentine, what must have