Page:The Keepsake for 1838.djvu/215

 The design of the garden was almost entirely the work of the young lady, whose brother, a major in the Prussian service, and now in the field, frequently sent her the most rare and precious plants. The gardener was unwearied in praise of his fair mistress.

“Beautiful as she is,” said he, “her loveliness is almost eclipsed by her goodness of heart. A celebrated General lately solicited her hand; and the young lady, solely to please her father, gave her consent. But, soon after the betrothment, an extraordinary circumstance broke off the engagement. The bridegroom retracted his promise, and quarelled with the father of his bride, who challenged him; but, shortly before the day fixed for the duel, the General suddenly died.”

Again, the whole current of my feelings changed; the demon of curiosity was now at work within me, and I was anxious to hear the particulars of this strange circumstance. After repeated urgency, and much mysterious hesitation, the gift of a much larger sum than my necessities justified me in bestowing, induced the still reluctant menial to communicate to me the following strange detail.

One evening, when there were a great many guests in the castle, and also a detachment of military, the General insisted on occupying an apartment which went by the name of “The Silver Lady’s chamber.” It had been long uninhabited, as it possessed but a very evil repute, in consequence of the ill deeds which, it was asserted, had once been perpetrated within it.

All the histories, however, that were related to the General, respecting the apartment, only served to excite his ridicule, and to render him more anxious to fulfil his resolution. At last, the Baron, who, probably, did not himself give credence to the reports, yielded to his wishes; and ordered the room to be prepared for his guest. 2