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entertainment commenced about a Century ago。 It was accompanied
with shrieking； howling； groaning； swearing； and many other
agreeable noises of the same kind。 But though one particular
room was more especially honoured with her visits； She did not
entirely confine herself to it。 She occasionally ventured into
the old Galleries； paced up and down the spacious Halls； or
sometimes stopping at the doors of the Chambers； She wept and
wailed there to the universal terror of the Inhabitants。 In
these nocturnal excursions She was seen by different People； who
all describe her appearance as you behold it here； traced by the
hand of her unworthy Historian。'
The singularity of this account insensibly engaged my attention。
'Did She never speak to those who met her？' said I。
'Not She。 The specimens indeed； which She gave nightly of her
talents for conversation； were by no means inviting。 Sometimes
the Castle rung with oaths and execrations： A Moment after She
repeated her Paternoster： Now She howled out the most horrible
blasphemies； and then chaunted De Profundis； as orderly as if
still in the Choir。 In short She seemed a mighty capricious
Being： But whether She prayed or cursed； whether She was impious
or devout； She always contrived to terrify her Auditors out of
their senses。 The Castle became scarcely habitable； and its Lord
was so frightened by these midnight Revels； that one fine morning
He was found dead in his bed。 This success seemed to please the
Nun mightily； for now She made more noise than ever。 But the
next Baron proved too cunning for her。 He made his appearance
with a celebrated Exorciser in his hand； who feared not to shut
himself up for a night in the haunted Chamber。 There it seems
that He had an hard battle with the Ghost； before She would
promise to be quiet。 She was obstinate； but He was more so； and
at length She consented to let the Inhabitants of the Castle take
a good night's rest。 For some time after no news was heard of
her。 But at the end of five years the Exorciser died； and then
the Nun ventured to peep abroad again。 However； She was now
grown much more tractable and well…behaved。 She walked about in
silence； and never made her appearance above once in five years。
This custom； if you will believe the Baron； She still continues。
He is fully persuaded； that on the fifth of May of every fifth
year； as soon as the Clock strikes One； the Door of the haunted
Chamber opens。 （Observe； that this room has been shut up for
near a Century。） Then out walks the Ghostly Nun with her Lamp
and dagger： She descends the staircase of the Eastern Tower；
and crosses the great Hall！ On that night the Porter always
leaves the Gates of the Castle open； out of respect to the
Apparition： Not that this is thought by any means necessary；
since She could easily whip through the Keyhole if She chose it；
But merely out of politeness； and to prevent her from making her
exit in a way so derogatory to the dignity of her Ghost…ship。'
'And whither does She go on quitting the Castle？'
'To Heaven； I hope； But if She does； the place certainly is not
to her taste； for She always returns after an hour's absence。
The Lady then retires to her chamber； and is quiet for another
five years。'
'And you believe this； Agnes？'
'How can you ask such a question？ No； no； Alphonso！ I have too
much reason to lament superstition's influence to be its Victim
myself。 However I must not avow my incredulity to the Baroness：
She entertains not a doubt of the truth of this History。 As to
Dame Cunegonda； my Governess； She protests that fifteen years ago
She saw the Spectre with her own eyes。 She related to me one
evening how She and several other Domestics had been terrified
while at Supper by the appearance of the Bleeding Nun； as the
Ghost is called in the Castle： 'Tis from her account that I drew
this sketch； and you may be certain that Cunegonda was not
omitted。 There She is！ I shall never forget what a passion She
was in； and how ugly She looked while She scolded me for having
made her picture so like herself！'
Here She pointed to a burlesque figure of an old Woman in an
attitude of terror。
In spite of the melancholy which oppressed me； I could not help
smiling at the playful imagination of Agnes： She had perfectly
preserved Dame Cunegonda's resemblance； but had so much
exaggerated every fault； and rendered every feature so
irresistibly laughable； that I could easily conceive the Duenna's
anger。
'The figure is admirable； my dear Agnes！ I knew not that you
possessed such talents for the ridiculous。'
'Stay a moment；' She replied； 'I will show you a figure still
more ridiculous than Dame Cunegonda's。 If it pleases you； you
may dispose of it as seems best to yourself。'
She rose； and went to a Cabinet at some little distance。
Unlocking a drawer； She took out a small case； which She opened；
and presented to me。
'Do you know the resemblance？' said She smiling。
It was her own。
Transported at the gift； I pressed the portrait to my lips with
passion： I threw myself at her feet； and declared my gratitude
in the warmest and most affectionate terms。 She listened to me
with complaisance； and assured me that She shared my sentiments：
When suddenly She uttered a loud shriek； disengaged the hand
which I held； and flew from the room by a door which opened to
the Garden。 Amazed at this abrupt departure； I rose hastily from
my knees。 I beheld with confusion the Baroness standing near me
glowing with jealousy； and almost choaked with rage。 On
recovering from her swoon； She had tortured her imagination to
discover her concealed Rival。 No one appeared to deserve her
suspicions more than Agnes。 She immediately hastened to find her
Niece； tax her with encouraging my addresses； and assure herself
whether her conjectures were well…grounded。 Unfortunately She
had already seen enough to need no other confirmation。 She
arrived at the door of the room at the precise moment； when Agnes
gave me her Portrait。 She heard me profess an everlasting
attachment to her Rival； and saw me kneeling at her feet。 She
advanced to separate us； We were too much occupied by each other
to perceive her approach； and were not aware of it； till Agnes
beheld her standing by my side。
Rage on the part of Donna Rodolpha； embarrassment on mine； for
some time kept us both silent。 The Lady recovered herself first。
'My suspicions then were just；' said She； 'The Coquetry of my
Niece has triumphed； and 'tis to her that I am sacrificed。 In
one respect however I am fortunate： I shall not be the only one
who laments a disappointed passion。 You too shall know； what it
is to love without hope！ I daily expect orders for restoring
Agnes to her Parents。 Immediately upon her arrival in Spain； She
will take the veil； and place an insuperable barrier to your
union。 You may spare your supplications。' She continued；
perceiving me on the point of speaking； 'My resolution is fixed
and immoveable。 Your Mistress shall remain a close Prisoner in
her chamber till She exchanges this Castle for the Cloister。
Solitude will perhaps recall her to a s