Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 011.djvu/495

 “On my journey to my ultimate destination, I contented myself with viewing the cloister in passing, and I was well pleased with the Amtman that he was not willing, merely for the sake of a new house, to destroy the fine old Gothic pile, which looked so venerable in the plain from the surrounding hills. I rejoiced in my approaching acquaintance with him, and his curious antique neighbourhood. On my return, I arrived rather late at Wallbach; the setting moon, occasionally obscured by heavy thunderclouds, partially illumined the old towers and dark grey walls, which seemed to me to bear their age tolerably well. The Amtman’s lady, an elderly but still an active woman, welcomed me, and apologized for the absence of her husband on a professional journey, from which he was not expected back till the following day. She seemed much embarrassed, and I was obliged repeatedly to assure her that I could not be surprised at the absence of her husband, as my visit was totally unexpected by him, and that it would be quite time enough on the morrow to transact the business I was commissioned upon. As I soon found that my presence disturbed the family, I requested to be shown to my chamber, and a dunce of a servant conducted me through many cross and winding passages, to an antique room with Gothic windows and ornaments, and there left me, humbly wishing me a good night. Fatigue from my journey, and ennui, induced me to go to bed, and I soon fell asleep. I was awakened I know not how in a few hours, and, while endeavouring to compose myself again, I heard most remarkable sounds, as if caused by slow, heavy, gigantic footsteps: the longer I listened, the more I was alarmed at this noise. The steps seemed to indicate the presence of some supernatural being, and occasionally the very floor trembled under them. Although the noise itself was not very loud, and appeared to proceed from a distance, I could not help shuddering, though I endeavoured to banish my apprehension; but it was in vain I attempted to sleep. The noise at last ceased, to my great joy, but ere long I heard a rustling at my door, and thought I could distinguish a slight knocking: I sat up in my bed, and looked earnestly towards it, but it remained fast; I had hardly laid myself down again when the rustling and knocking were repeated; and when I again looked towards the door, I clearly saw that it was moved ”

“Fancy!” cried the professor, “nothing but fancy, delusion of an excited imagination.”

“No such thing,” resumed the narrator, “you shall hear more. I saw the door move, and I cried out, ‘Who is there?’ All was again still for a short time, then again something knocked louder and stronger, and the door opened ”

“No! are you serious?” interrupted the professor.

“Perfectly:—this was too much for me, I sprang out of bed towards the door, and there I saw distinctly a slender white female figure in a faint gleam of light that instantly glided away. It seemed to beckon to me. I seized my light, my fear giving way to an almost wild courage. The figure glided through some dark passages; I hastened after, but could not overtake it; on a sudden it vanished, but when I reached the spot where I saw it last, I discovered a staircase; I thought I could still descry at the bottom of it something of the pale light, and therefore hastily descended, but there was no one to be seen. A doorway