f a
soldier. How did you in reality rest during last night?"

"Most wretchedly indeed, my lord," answered the general, in the same tone
of solemnity; "so miserably, that I would not run the risk of such a
second night, not only for all the lands belonging to this castle, but for
all the country which I see from this elevated point of view."

"This is most extraordinary," said the young lord, as if speaking to
himself; "then there must be something in the reports concerning that
apartment." Again turning to the general, he said: "For God's sake, my
dear friend, be candid with me, and let me know the disagreeable
particulars which have befallen you under a roof where, with consent of
the owner, you should have met nothing save comfort."

The general seemed distressed by this appeal, and paused a moment before
he replied.

"My dear lord," he at length said, "what happened to me last night is of
a nature so peculiar and so unpleasant, that I could hardly bring myself
to detail it even to your lordship, were it not that, independent of my
wish to gratify any request of yours, I think that sincerity on my part
may lead to some explanation about a circumstance equally painful and
mysterious. To others, the communication I am about to make might place me
in the light of a weak-minded, superstitious fool, who suffered his own
imagination to delude and bewilder him; but you have known me in childhood
and youth, and will not suspect me of having adopted in manhood the
feelings and frailties from which my early years were free."

Here he paused, and his friend replied:

"Do not doubt my perfect confidence in the truth of your communication,
however strange it may be," replied Lord Woodville, "I know your firmness
of disposition too well to suspect you could be made the object of
imposition, and am aware that your honor and your friendship will equally
deter you from exaggerating whatever you may have witnessed."

"Well, then," said the general, "I will proceed with my story as well as I
can, relying upon your candor; and yet distinctly feeling that I would
rather face a battery than recall to my mind the odious recollections of
last night."

He paused a second time, and then, perceiving that Lord Woodville remained
silent and in an attitude of attention, he commenced, though not without
obvious reluctance, the history of his night adventures in the Tapestried
Chamber.

"I undressed and went to bed, so soon as your lordshi