e she
could command a better view of it, what was her horror to see a form
advance like that described in the story of the castellan! It appeared
to be a tall man, clad in complete armor, with visor down: in one hand
he bore a torch, which seemed to emit a supernatural light and in the
other, a bunch of keys, and a long chain, dragging upon the ground. She
distinctly heard the clanking sound of the chain, and the ringing noise
of his footstep upon the stone, ere she distinguished the figure, so
exactly similar to that of the spectre of Alcantra, the vengeful Don
Pedro which was so vividly impressed upon her imagination. She did not
shriek, she did not faint; but quickly bounding along the corridor, she
flew like lightning down the broad staircase, and found herself in the
hall. She had hoped to find her father still there, but it was dark and
deserted, and looked so vast and so gloomy, by the cold light of the
moon, which streamed in at the furthest windows, that she felt a cold
chill creep over her. At this moment the clock struck twelve: as she
counted the strokes, which seemed to her excited fancy as if they would
never cease tolling, she thought she heard the ringing footsteps
approach: in an agony of terror, she rushed through the darkness, which
was indeed to her a darkness which could be felt, a palpable thing,
towards the chimney place, hoping to find enough of flame to light her
lamp; but in vain. The air felt to her so thick and heavy, as if her
lungs could scarcely breathe it: she listened for the sound of a step,
but heard only the beating of her own heart. At length she summoned
courage to retrace her steps, to find either her own room or her
sister's, for the silence and solitude of that vast hall were too
oppressive to be endured. Softly and slowly she crept up the staircase,
when suddenly she felt her wrist clasped by a cold iron hand: she gave
one piercing shriek, and fell senseless to the ground.

When she came to herself, she was lying upon her bed, in the same
clothes she wore the preceding day, and the bright sun was streaming in
at the windows. She arose, with a sense of pain and confusion, as if
some dreadful thing had happened, which she could not recall to her
mind; but suddenly the whole scene of the preceding night flashed upon
her. She thought, it is impossible: certainly it was a painful dream,
caused by the exciting conversation of last evening, and by my
impressions of the castle. But all