按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
while I reflected on the influence of superstition and weakness
of human reason。 Suddenly I heard a faint chorus steal upon the
silence of the night。
'What can occasion that noise； Theodore？'
'A Stranger of distinction；' replied He； 'passed through the
Village today in his way to the Castle： He is reported to be
the Father of Donna Agnes。 Doubtless； the Baron has given an
entertainment to celebrate his arrival。'
The Castle Bell announced the hour of midnight： This was the
usual signal for the family to retire to Bed。 Soon after I
perceived lights in the Castle moving backwards and forwards in
different directions。 I conjectured the company to be
separating。 I could hear the heavy doors grate as they opened
with difficulty； and as they closed again the rotten Casements
rattled in their frames。 The chamber of Agnes was on the other
side of the Castle。 I trembled lest She should have failed in
obtaining the Key of the haunted Room： Through this it was
necessary for her to pass in order to reach the narrow
Staircase by which the Ghost was supposed to descend into the
great Hall。 Agitated by this apprehension； I kept my eyes
constantly fixed upon the window； where I hoped to perceive the
friendly glare of a Lamp borne by Agnes。 I now heard the massy
Gates unbarred。 By the candle in his hand I distinguished old
Conrad； the Porter。 He set the Portal doors wide open； and
retired。 The lights in the Castle gradually disappeared； and at
length the whole Building was wrapt in darkness。
While I sat upon a broken ridge of the Hill； the stillness of the
scene inspired me with melancholy ideas not altogether
unpleasing。 The Castle which stood full in my sight； formed an
object equally awful and picturesque。 Its ponderous Walls tinged
by the moon with solemn brightness； its old and partly…ruined
Towers lifting themselves into the clouds and seeming to frown on
the plains around them； its lofty battlements oergrown with ivy；
and folding Gates expanding in honour of the Visionary
Inhabitant； made me sensible of a sad and reverential horror。
Yet did not these sensations occupy me so fully； as to prevent me
from witnessing with impatience the slow progress of time。 I
approached the Castle； and ventured to walk round it。 A few rays
of light still glimmered in the chamber of Agnes。 I observed
them with joy。 I was still gazing upon them； when I perceived a
figure draw near the window； and the Curtain was carefully closed
to conceal the Lamp which burned there。 Convinced by this
observation that Agnes had not abandoned our plan； I returned
with a light heart to my former station。
The half…hour struck！ The three…quarters struck！ My bosom beat
high with hope and expectation。 At length the wished…for sound
was heard。 The Bell tolled 'One；' and the Mansion echoed with
the noise loud and solemn。 I looked up to the Casement of the
haunted Chamber。 Scarcely had five minutes elapsed； when the
expected light appeared。 I was now close to the Tower。 The
window was not so far from the Ground but that I fancied I
perceived a female figure with a Lamp in her hand moving slowly
along the Apartment。 The light soon faded away； and all was
again dark and gloomy。
Occasional gleams of brightness darted from the Staircase
windows as the lovely Ghost past by them。 I traced the light
through the Hall： It reached the Portal； and at length I beheld
Agnes pass through the folding gates。 She was habited exactly
as She had described the Spectre。 A chaplet of Beads hung upon
her arm； her head was enveloped in a long white veil； Her Nun's
dress was stained with blood； and She had taken care to provide
herself with a Lamp and dagger。 She advanced towards the spot
where I stood。 I flew to meet her； and clasped her in my arms。
'Agnes！' said I while I pressed her to my bosom；
Agnes！ Agnes！ Thou art mine！
Agnes！ Agnes！ I am thine！
In my veins while blood shall roll；
Thou art mine！
I am thine！
Thine my body！ Thine my soul！
Terrified and breathless She was unable to speak： She dropt her
Lamp and dagger； and sank upon my bosom in silence。 I raised her
in my arms； and conveyed her to the Carriage。 Theodore remained
behind in order to release Dame Cunegonda。 I also charged him
with a letter to the Baroness explaining the whole affair； and
entreating her good offices in reconciling Don Gaston to my union
with his Daughter。 I discovered to her my real name： I proved
to her that my birth and expectations justified my pretending to
her Niece； and assured her； though it was out of my power to
return her love； that I would strive unceasingly to obtain her
esteem and friendship。
I stepped into the Carriage； where Agnes was already seated。
Theodore closed the door； and the Postillions drove away。 At
first I was delighted with the rapidity of our progress； But as
soon as we were in no danger of pursuit； I called to the Drivers；
and bad them moderate their pace。 They strove in vain to obey
me。 The Horses refused to answer the rein； and continued to rush
on with astonishing swiftness。 The Postillions redoubled their
efforts to stop them； but by kicking and plunging the Beasts soon
released themselves from this restraint。 Uttering a loud shriek；
the Drivers were hurled upon the ground。 Immediately thick
clouds obscured the sky： The winds howled around us； the
lightning flashed； and the Thunder roared tremendously。 Never
did I behold so frightful a Tempest！ Terrified by the jar of
contending elements； the Horses seemed every moment to increase
their speed。 Nothing could interrupt their career； They dragged
the Carriage through Hedges and Ditches； dashed down the most
dangerous precipices； and seemed to vye in swiftness with the
rapidity of the winds。
All this while my Companion lay motionless in my arms。 Truly
alarmed by the magnitude of the danger； I was in vain attempting
to recall her to her senses； when a loud crash announced； that a
stop was put to our progress in the most disagreeable manner。
The Carriage was shattered to pieces。 In falling I struck my
temple against a flint。 The pain of the wound； the violence of
the shock； and apprehension for the safety of Agnes combined to
overpower me so compleatly； that my senses forsook me； and I lay
without animation on the ground。
I probably remained for some time in this situation； since when I
opened my eyes； it was broad daylight。 Several Peasants were
standing round me； and seemed disputing whether my recovery was
possible。 I spoke German tolerably well。 As soon as I could
utter an articulate sound； I enquired after Agnes。 What was my
surprise and distress； when assured by the Peasants； that nobody
had been seen answering the description which I gave of her！
They told me that in going to their daily labour they had been
alarmed by observing the fragments of my Carriage； and by hearing
the groans of an Horse； the only one of the four which remained
alive： The other Three lay dead by my side。 Nobody was near me
when they came up； and much time had been lost； before they
succeeded in recovering me。 Uneasy beyond expression respecting
the fate of my Companion； I besought the Peasants to disperse
themselves in search of her： I described her dress； and promised
immense rewards to whoever brought me any intelligence。 As for
myself； it was impossible for me to join in the pursuit： I had
broken two of my ribs in the fall： My arm being dislocated hung
useless by my side； and my left leg was shattered so terribly；
that I never expected to recover its use。
The Peasants complied with my request： All left me except Four；
who made a litter of boughs and prepared to convey me to the
neighbouring Town。 I enquired its name。 It proved to be
Ratisbon； and I could scarcely persuade myself that I had
travelled to such a distance in a single night。 I told the
Countrymen that at one o'clock that morning I had past through
the Village of Rosenwald。 They shook their heads wistfully； and
made signs to each other that I must certainly be delirious。 I
was conveyed to a decent Inn and immediately put to bed。 A
Physician