Page:Knight's Quarterly Magazine series 1 volume 1 (June–October 1823).djvu/365

 and repeatedly at the very slightest noise. At length he informed me that the apartment was called the Black Chamber, and that many strange stories were reported of it, none of which they dared to repeat to their master, lest it should give him some disgust against the mansion. He then related to me several of these ghostly stories, and finding that I was an attentive auditor, offered again either to remain with me all night, or divide his own sleeping-room with me, which he assured me was a much pleasanter one. I would not, however, accept either of these proposals, since I foresaw such acceptance might probably bring my reputation for courage into question; and finding that I was firm in my determination, he very gladly retired, once more giving me a caution against incredulity and fool-hardiness, which he averred had brought many a hardened unbeliever to destruction.

“Well! I was now alone in the evil-famed Black Chamber. At that period I thought very lightly respecting ghosts and goblins. I was aware that several enlightened men had gained everlasting laurels by detecting impostures, and tearing the mask from supposed spectres, and I awaited with pleasure the same opportunity in the approach of the midnight hour; but first I made a strict: scrutiny of my chamber; I locked both the doors, and bolted them with bolts which were entirely separate from the lock; I barricadoed the windows in the same manner; and, to complete all my preparations, I poked with my travelling sword repeatedly under the bed, the tables, and into the closets; and then, when I had thoroughly convinced myself that it was quite impossible for either man or beast to pay me a visit, I undressed myself, and prepared to go to bed; the night-light I placed in the stove, so that my chamber was in reality enveloped in darkness, for I found that the light only increased my terror, instead of diminishing it.

“After these preparations I laid myself quietly down, and, fatigue overpowering me, went to sleep much sooner than I had anticipated. I was still in my first doze, when I fancied that I heard my own name pronounced very softly; I started up and listened—and again plainly heard a soft voice call “Augustus.” The sound seemed to proceed from behind the curtains of my bed. I stretched my eyes as wide open as possible, but could see nothing around me but the thick darkness. Terror had now thrown me into a cold shivering fit—I shut my eyes closely, slipped under the bed-clothes, and endeavoured to steep my senses in forgetfulness. All at once I was aroused by a rustling of the curtains, and the repetition of my name breathed more plainly, and still nearer to me; I again opened my eyes—the chamber had undergone a strange transformation—a wonderful light glimmered through it, and enabled me to discover Rh