evening become its victim; for to that alone
must I ascribe my fears. Listen then to the cause of this weakness in
me. I was deeply immersed in Horace, when I heard a knocking against the
partition that separates the rooms. I paid little or no attention to it
at first, when a second time the knocks were repeated with more
violence. I then arose, and proceeded to the room where the noise
issued; and directing my eyes towards the bed, to my infinite surprise I
perceived the bell-rope making rapid and extensive strides from one side
of the partition to the other. After viewing it for a moment, I thought
I would take the liberty of stopping the marble breasted gentleman's
progress; I grasped the bell-rope, it yielded to my embrace, and became
quiescent; I sat a moment to observe it; it remained quiet, and I
returned to my studies. The instant I was seated, the same noise was
repeated with increased violence; I entered the room a second time, and
a second time saw the bell-rope in rapid motion. I then examined every
corner of the room, without discovering the least trace by which I might
elucidate this singular appearance. I again grasped the rope, and again
it was motionless: I sat two or three minutes in the room, I believe,
during which every thing was perfectly quiet. I returned to my room,
when scarcely had I seated myself, ere the same noise met my ear, with a
sort of hard breathing. This was more than even my philosophy could bear
at that moment, and must plead my excuse for appearing before you in the
disordered state which you have just witnessed." "You must pardon me, my
good sir, for smiling," I remarked, but I really have scarcely had
patience to hear you out, so anxious am I to be introduced to this ghost
in the shape of a bell-rope! lead me to the haunted room, and you will
gratify me beyond measure!"

"Magnanimous courage! exclaimed Monsieur, with such a guide, I'd face
e'en Beelzebub himself;" when each embracing our taper, we proceeded to
the mysterious room. My eager eye sought the bell-rope; but no sooner
did I perceive its motion (for it was moving as Monsieur had described)
than all my boasted philosophy forsook me. Ashamed to confess as much, I
begged my companion to once more stop its progress, and suppressing my
emotions, I assisted Monsieur in searching the room. Nothing, however,
which possessed animation could we discover, (ourselves excepted) and
indeed we could scarcely be said to possess it. Mons