there was something uncommonly terrifying in the sound; its
slowly lengthened vibrations were still fresh in our ears. Antonelli was
pale, confused, and every moment in danger of falling into a swoon. We
were obliged to remain with her half the night. Nothing more was heard. On
the following evening the same company was assembled; and although the
cheerfulness of the preceding day was wanting, we were not dejected.
Precisely at the same hour we heard the same hollow groan as the night
before.

We had in the meantime formed many conjectures on the origin of this
strange sound, which were as contradictory as they were extravagant. It is
unnecessary to relate every particular: in short, whenever Antonelli
supped at home, the alarming noise was heard at the same hour, sometimes
stronger, at others weaker. This occurrence was spoken of all over Naples.
Every inmate of the house, every friend and acquaintance, took the most
lively interest; even the police was summoned to attend. Spies were placed
at proper distances around the house. To such as stood in the street the
sound seemed to arise in the open air, while those in the room heard it
close by them. As often as she supped out all was silent, but whenever she
remained at home, she was sure to be visited by her uncivil guest; but
leaving her house was not always a means of escaping him. Her talent and
character gained her admittance into the first houses; the elegance of her
manners and her lively conversation, made her everywhere welcome; and, in
order to avoid her unpleasant visiter, she used to pass her evenings in
company out of the house.

A gentleman, whose age and rank made him respectable, accompanied her home
one evening in his coach. On taking leave of him at her door, the well
known voice issued from the steps beneath them; and the old gentleman, who
was perfectly well acquainted with the story, was helped into his coach
more dead than alive.

She was one evening accompanied by a young singer, in her coach, on a
visit to a friend's. He had heard of this mysterious affair, and being of
a lively disposition, expressed some doubts on the subject. I most
ardently wish, continued he, to hear the voice of your invisible companion;
do call him, there are two of us, we shall not be frightened. Without
reflecting, she had the courage to summon the spirit, and presently, from
the floor of the coach arose the appalling sound; it was repeated three
times, in rapid succes