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to withstand the shock which He felt at this fearful Vision：
Its horror increased with every succeeding appearance： His alarm
at length became so insupportable that his heart burst； and one
morning He was found in his bed totally deprived of warmth and
animation。 His death did not put an end to the nocturnal riots。
The bones of Beatrice continued to lie unburied； and her Ghost
continued to haunt the Castle。
'The domains of Lindenberg now fell to a distant Relation。 But
terrified by the accounts given him of the Bleeding Nun （So was
the Spectre called by the multitude）； the new Baron called to his
assistance a celebrated Exorciser。 This holy Man succeeded in
obliging her to temporary repose； But though She discovered to
him her history； He was not permitted to reveal it to others； or
cause her skeleton to be removed to hallowed ground。 That Office
was reserved for you； and till your coming； her Ghost was doomed
to wander about the Castle and lament the crime which She had
there committed。 However； the Exorciser obliged her to silence
during his lifetime。 So long as He existed； the haunted chamber
was shut up； and the Spectre was invisible。 At his death which
happened in five years after； She again appeared； but only once
on every fifth year； on the same day and at the same hour when
She plunged her Knife in the heart of her sleeping Lover： She
then visited the Cavern which held her mouldering skeleton；
returned to the Castle as soon as the Clock struck 'Two；' and was
seen no more till the next five years had elapsed。
'She was doomed to suffer during the space of a Century。 That
period is past。 Nothing now remains but to consign to the Grave
the ashes of Beatrice。 I have been the means of releasing you
from your visionary Tormentor； and amidst all the sorrows which
oppress me； to think that I have been of use to you； is some
consolation。 Youth； farewell！ May the Ghost of your Relation
enjoy that rest in the Tomb； which the Almighty's vengeance has
denied to me for ever！'
Here the Stranger prepared to quit the apartment。
'Stay yet one moment！' said I； 'You have satisfied my curiosity
with regard to the Spectre； but you leave me in prey to yet
greater respecting yourself。 Deign to inform me； to whom I am
under such real obligations。 You mention circumstances long
past； and persons long dead： You were personally acquainted with
the Exorciser； who by your own account has been deceased near a
Century。 How am I to account for this？ What means that burning
Cross upon your forehead； and why did the sight of it strike
such horror to my soul？'
On these points He for some time refused to satisfy me。 At
length overcome by my entreaties； He consented to clear up the
whole； on condition that I would defer his explanation till the
next day。 With this request I was obliged to comply； and He left
me。 In the Morning my first care was to enquire after the
mysterious Stranger。 Conceive my disappointment when informed
that He had already quitted Ratisbon。 I dispatched messengers in
pursuit of him but in vain。 No traces of the Fugitive were
discovered。 Since that moment I never have heard any more of
him； and 'tis most probable that I never shall。'
（Lorenzo here interrupted his Friend's narrative。
'How？' said He； 'You have never discovered who He was； or even
formed a guess？'
'Pardon me；' replied the Marquis； 'When I related this adventure
to my Uncle； the Cardinal…Duke； He told me that He had no doubt
of this singular Man's being the celebrated Character known
universally by the name of 'the wandering Jew。' His not being
permitted to pass more than fourteen days on the same spot； the
burning Cross impressed upon his forehead； the effect which it
produced upon the Beholders； and many other circumstances give
this supposition the colour of truth。 The Cardinal is fully
persuaded of it； and for my own part I am inclined to adopt the
only solution which offers itself to this riddle。 I return to
the narrative from which I have digressed。'）
From this period I recovered my health so rapidly as to astonish
my Physicians。 The Bleeding Nun appeared no more； and I was soon
able to set out for Lindenberg。 The Baron received me with open
arms。 I confided to him the sequel of my adventure； and He was
not a little pleased to find that his Mansion would be no longer
troubled with the Phantom's quiennial visits。 I was sorry to
perceive that absence had not weakened Donna Rodolpha's
imprudent passion。 In a private conversation which I had with
her during my short stay at the Castle； She renewed her attempts
to persuade me to return her affection。 Regarding her as the
primary cause of all my sufferings； I entertained for her no
other sentiment than disgust。 The Skeleton of Beatrice was found
in the place which She had mentioned。 This being all that I
sought at Lindenberg； I hastened to quit the Baron's domains；
equally anxious to perform the obsequies of the murdered Nun； and
escape the importunity of a Woman whom I detested。 I departed；
followed by Donna Rodolpha's menaces that my contempt should not
be long unpunished。
I now bent my course towards Spain with all diligence。 Lucas
with my Baggage had joined me during my abode at Lindenberg。 I
arrived in my native Country without any accident； and
immediately proceeded to my Father's Castle in Andalusia。 The
remains of Beatrice were deposited in the family vault； all due
ceremonies performed； and the number of Masses said which She had
required。 Nothing now hindered me from employing all my
endeavours to discover the retreat of Agnes。 The Baroness had
assured me that her Niece had already taken the veil： This
intelligence I suspected to have been forged by jealousy； and
hoped to find my Mistress still at liberty to accept my hand。 I
enquired after her family； I found that before her Daughter could
reach Madrid； Donna Inesilla was no more： You； my dear Lorenzo；
were said to be abroad； but where I could not discover： Your
Father was in a distant Province on a visit to the Duke de
Medina； and as to Agnes； no one could or would inform me what was
become of her。 Theodore； according to promise； had returned to
Strasbourg； where He found his Grandfather dead； and Marguerite
in possession of his fortune。 All her persuations to remain with
her were fruitless： He quitted her a second time； and followed
me to Madrid。 He exerted himself to the utmost in forwarding my
search： But our united endeavours were unattended by success。
The retreat； which concealed Agnes remained an impenetrable
mystery； and I began to abandon all hopes of recovering her。
About eight months ago I was returning to my Hotel in a
melancholy humour； having past the evening at the Play…House。
The Night was dark； and I was unaccompanied。 Plunged in
reflections which were far from being agreeable； I perceived not
that three Men had followed me from the Theatre； till； on turning
into an unfrequented Street； they all attacked me at the same
time with the utmost fury。 I sprang back a few paces； drew my
sword； and threw my cloak over my left arm。 The obscurity of the
night was in my favour。 For the most part the blows of the
Assassins； being aimed at random； failed to touch me。 I at
length was fortunate enough to lay one of my Adversaries at my
feet； But before this I had already received so many wounds； and
was so warmly pressed； that my destruction would have been
inevitable； had not the clashing of swords called a Cavalier to
my assistance。 He ran towards me with his sword drawn： Several
Domestics followed him with torches。 His arrival made the combat
equal： Yet would not the Bravoes abandon their design till the
Servants were on the point of joining us。 They then fled away；
and we lost them in the obscurity。
The Stranger now addressed himself to me with politeness； and
enquired whether I was wounded。 Faint with the loss of blood； I
could scarcely thank him for his seasonable aid； and entreat him
to let some of his Servants convey me to the Hotel de las
Cisternas。 I no sooner mentioned the name than He profest
himself an acquaintance of my Father's； and