ааааа Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost

 

ааааааа I

 

аааа Whenа Mr.а Hiramа B.а Otis,а the American Minister, boughtа Canterville

Chase, every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no

doubt at allа that theа place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself,

whoа was a manа ofа theа most punctilious honour,а hadа felt it hisа duty to

mention the fact to Mr. Otis when they came to discuss terms.

аааа "We haveа notа caredа toа liveа in аtheа placeа ourselves,"а saidа Lord

Canterville,а "sinceа myа grand-aunt,а theа Dowagerа Duches ofа Bolton,а was

frightenedа intoа aа fit,а from which she neverа reallyа recovered,а byа two

skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was dressing for dinner,

andа Iа feel bound to tellа you, Mr. Otis, thatа the ghost hasа been seen by

several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish,

theа Rev.а Augustus Dampier, who is aа Fellow of King's College,а Cambridge.

After the unfortunate accident to theа Duches, none of ourа younger servants

wouldа stayа withа us,а andа Lady Canterville often got very little sleep at

night, in consequence of the mysterious noisesа thatа came from the corridor

and the library."

аааа "Myа Lord," answered theа Minister, "Iа will take the furniture and the

ghost at a valuation. I come from a modern country, where we have everything

that money can buy; and withа all ourа spryа young fellows paintingа the Old

World red, and carrying off your best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that

if there were such thing as aа ghost inа Europe, we'd have it atа homeа in a

very short time in one of our public museums, or on the road as a show."

аааа "I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though

it may have resisted theа overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has

beenа well known for three centuries, since 1584 in fact,а and alwaysа makes

its appearance before the death of any member of our family."

аааа "Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But

there is no such thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws ofа Nature are

not going to be suspended for the British aristocracy."

аааа "You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville,

who did not quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and ifа you don't

mind a ghost in the house, it is all right. Onlyа you must remember I warned

you."

аааа A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of

the season the Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase.а Mrs.

Otis, who,а as Missа Lucretiaа R. Tappan, ofа West 53rdа Street,а had been a

celebrated New York belle, was now a veryа handsome, middle-aged woman, with

fine eyes, and aа superb profile. Manyа Americanа ladiesа onа leavingа their

native land adopt an appearance of chronicа ill-health, under the impression

that it isа a formа ofа Europeanа refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen

into this error. She had a magnificent constitution, andа a really wonderful

amount ofа animal spirits.а Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English,

and wasа an excellent example of the factа that we have really everything in

common with America nowadays,а except, of course,а language. Her eldest son,

christened Washingtonа byа hisа parentsа in a moment of patriotism, which he

never ceased to regret,а wasа aа fair-haired, rather good-looking young man,

will known as anа excellent dancer.а Gardenias and the peerage were his only

weaknesses. Otherwise he was extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a

little girlа of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a fawn, and with a fine freedom

in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful amazon, and hadа onceа raced old

Lordа Bilton on her pony twice round theа park, winning by aа lengthа andа a

half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young

Duke of Cheshire,а who proposed for her onа the spot,а andа was sent back to

Etonа that veryа night by his guardians, in floodsа of tears. After Virginia

came theа twins,а who were usually calledа "The Stars and Stripes,"а as they

wereа alwaysа gettingа swished.а Theyа wereа delightful boys, andа withа the

exception of the worthy Minister the only true republicans of the family.

аааа Asа Canterville Chase isа seven miles from Ascot, theа nearestа railway

station, Mr. Otis hadа telegraphedа forа a waggonette to meet them, and they

started on their drive in highа spirits.а It was aа lovely July evening, and

the air was delicate withа theа scent of theа pine-woods. Now andа then they

heard a wood pigeon brooding over its own sweet voice, orа saw,а deep in the

rustling fern, the burnished breast of the pheasant. Little squirrels peered

at them from the beech-treesа asа they went by, and the rabbits scudded away

through the brushwood and over the mossy knolls, with theirа whiteа tails in

theа air. As they entered the avenue ofа Canterville Chase, however, the sky

became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to hold the

atmosphere, a great flight of rooksа passed silently over their heads,а and,

before they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen.

аааа Standing on steps toа receive them was an old woman,а neatly dressed in

blackа silk,а withа aа whiteа cap аandа apron.а Thisа wasа Mrs.а Umney,а the

housekeeper,а whom Mrs.а Otis, atа Ladyа Canterville's earnest request,а had

consented toа keepа on in her formerа position. She madeа themа eachа aа low

curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned manner, "I bid

youа welcome to Cantervilleа Chase." Followingа her, they passed through the

fineа Tudor hallа into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak,

at theа end of which wasа a large stained-glass window. Hereа they found tea

laidа out forа them,а and, after takingа off their wraps, they sat downа and

began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited on them.

аааа Suddenlyа Mrs. Otis caught sight of aа dull red stain on the floor just

by the fireplace and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to

Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid something has been spilt there."

аааа "Yes, madam,"а replied the oldа housekeeper in a low voice,а "blood has

been spilt on that spot."

аааа "How horrid," cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in

a sitting room. It must be removed."

аааа The old woman smiled,а and answered in the same low,а mysterious voice,

"Itа is the blood of Lady Eleanore deа Canterville, who was murdered on that

very spot by her ownа husband, Sir Simon deа Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon

survivedа her nineа years,а and disappearedа suddenlyа under very mysterious

circumstances. His bodyа hasа never been discovered, but hisа guiltyа spirit

still haunts the Chase.а The blood-stain has beenа much admired byа tourists

and others, and cannot be removed."

аааа "That isа all nonsense,"а cried Washington Otis;а "Pinkerton's Champion

Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before

the terrified housekeeper couldа interfere he had fallen upon his knees, and

wasа rapidly scouring theа floor with aа small stick of what looked likedа a

black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood-stain could be seen.

аааа "I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed triumphantly, as he looked

roundа at hisа admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a

terribleа flash of lightning litа upа theа sombreа room,а a fearfulа peal of

thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. Umney fainted.

аааа "What a monstrousа climate!" said the Americanа Minister calmly,а as he

lit a long cheroot. "I guess the old country is so over-populatedа that they

haveа not enough decent weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion

that emigration is the only thing for England."

аааа "Myа dear Hiram," criedа Mrs. Otis,а "whatа can we doа with a woman who

faints?"

аааа "Chargeа it toа her likeа breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't

faintа after that;" and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There

was no doubt, however, that she was extremely upset, and sheа sternly warned

Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble coming to the house.

аааа "I have seen thingsа with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make

any Christian'sа hairа stand on end, andа many and manyа a night I haveа not

closed my eyes in sleep for the awfulа things that are done here." Mr. Otis,

however, andа hisа wife warmly assured theа honestа soul that they wereа not

afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of Providence on her new

master andа mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of salary, the

old housekeeper tottered off to her own room.

 

 

ааааааа II

 

аааа The storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note

occurred. The next morning, however, when they came down toа breakfast, they

found theа terrible stain ofа blood onceа again onа the floor. "I don't

think it can be the fault of theа Paragonа Detergent," said Washington,

"forа I have tried it withа everything. It mustа be the ghost." He

accordingly rubbedа out theа stainа a second time, but the second morning it

appeared again. The third morning also it wasа there, though the library had

been locked upа at night byа Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried upstairs.

The wholeа familyа were now quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that

he had been to dogmatic in his denialа of the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis

expressed herа intention ofа joiningа the Psychicalа Society, and Washington

prepared a long letter to Messrs.а Myersа and Podmoreа on the subject of the

Permanence ofа Sanguineousа Stains when connected with Crime. That night all

doubts about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever.

аааа The day had been warm and sunny;а and inа the cool of the evening,а the

wholeа family went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock,

when they had a light supper. The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts,

soа there were not evenа thoseа primaryа conditions of receptive expectation

which so often precede the presentation of psychical phenomena. The subjects

discussed,а as I have sinceа learned fromа Mr. Otis, were merely such a form

the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as

the immenseа superiority of Miss Fannyа Davenport over Saraа Bernhardt as an

actress;а the difficultyа ofа obtaining greenа corn,а buckwheatа cakes,а and

hominy,а even in the best English houses; the importanceа ofа Bostonа in the

development of the world-soul; the advantages of the baggage check system in

railway travelling; and the sweetnessа of the New York accent as compared to

the London drawl. No mentionа at allа wasа made of the supernatural, nor was

Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock the family

retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis

wasа awakenedа byа aа curious noise inа theа corridor, outsideа his room. It

sounded like theа clankа ofа metal, andа seemedа toа beа coming nearer every

moment. He got up at once, struck aа match,а and lookedа at the time. It was

exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his pulse, which was not at

allа feverish.а Theа strange noise still continued, andа withа itа heа heard

distinctlyа the soundа of footsteps. He put on hisа slippers,а took aа small

oblong phial out of hisа dressing-case, and openedа the door. Right in front

of him he saw, in the wan moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes

were as redа burning coals; long grey hair fell over his shoulders in matted

coils; his garments, which were of antiqueа cut, were soiled and ragged, and

from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves.

аааа "Myа dear sir," said Mr.а Otis, "I really must insist on

your oilingа those chains, and have broughtа youа for thatа purpose aа small

bottle of theа Tammanyа Rising Sunа Lubricator. It isа said to be completely

efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials to that

effect on the wrapper from someа of our most eminent native divines. I shall

leave it here forа you by theа bedroom candles, and will be happy toа supply

you withа moreа shouldа you require it."а Withа these wordsа the United

States Minister laid theа bottleа down on aа marble table,а and, closing his

door, retired to rest.

аааа Forа a moment the Cantervilleа ghost stood quiteа motionless in natural

indignation; then,а dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he

fled down the corridor, uttering hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green

light.а Just, however, as he reached the top of the great oakа staircase,а a

door was flung open, two little white-robedа figuresа appeared, andа a large

pillow whizzed past his head! There wasа evidentlyа no time to be lost,а so,

hastily adoptingа theа Fourthа Dimensionа of Space as a means ofа escape, he

vanished through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet.

аааа On reachingа aа small secret chamber inа theа leftа wing, heа leaned up

against a moonbeamа toа recover his breath, and began to try and realise his

position. Never, in a brilliantа and uninterruptedа career of threeа hundred

years, has he been soа grossly insulted. He thought ofа the Dowager Duchess,

whom he had frightened into a fit as she stoodа before the glass in her lace

and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone offа intoа hysterics when

he merely grinned at them through the curtains of one of the spare bedrooms;

of the rector of the parish, whose candle he has blown out as he wasа coming

lateа one nightа from the library, and whoа hadа been under the careа of Sir

William Gull everа since,а a perfect martyr to nervous disorders; and of old

Madame de Tremouillac, who, havingа wakened up one morning earlyа and seen a

skeletonа seatedа inа an armchairа by theа fire reading her diary,а had been

confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, in her

recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection

with that Notorious sceptic Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible

nightа whenа theаа wickedа Lordаа Cantervilleа wasа foundа chokingаа inа his

dressing-room, withа theа knaveа of diamonds half-wayа down hisа throat, and

confessed, just before he died, that he had cheated Charles James Fox out of

L50,000 at Crockford'sа by means of that very card, and swore that the ghost

had made him swallow it. All his greatа achievements came back to him again,

fromа the butler who had shotа himself in the pantry because heа hadа seen a

greenа hand tapping at the window pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who

was alwaysа obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the

markа of five fingers burnt upon her white skin, andа who drowned herself at

lastа in theа carp-pond at the end of the King's Walk. With the enthusiastic

egoism of the true artist he went over his most celebrated performances, and

smiledа bitterly to himselfа as heа recalledа to mind his last appearance as

"Red Reuben,а or theа Strangledа Babe,"а his

 

debut

 

а as "Gaunt

Gibeon, the Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the

 

furore

 

аhe had excited

one lovely June evening by merely playingа ninepins with his ownа bones upon

theа law-tennis ground. Andа after all this, someа wretched modern Americans

were to come andа offer him the Rising Sun Lubricator,а and throw pillows at

hisа head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, noа ghost inа historyа had ever

been treated inа thisа manner. Accordingly, he determined to have vengeance,

and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought.

 

 

ааааааа III

 

аааа The next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed

the ghost at some length. The United Statesа Minister was naturally a little

annoyed toа find thatа hisа present had not beenа accepted.а "I have no

wish," he said, "to do the ghost anyа personal injury, and Iа must

say that, considering the lengthа of time he has been in the house, Iа don't

think itа is at all politeа toа throw pillowsа at him"а - aа veryа just

remark,а atа which,а Iа am sorryа toа say, the twinsа burstа intoа shouts of

laughter. "Upon the otherа hand," he continued, "if he really

declinesа to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains

from him. Itа would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on

outside the bedrooms."

аааа Forа the rest of theа week,а however, theyа wereа undisturbed, the only

thingа thatа excitedа any attentionа beingа theа continualа renewalа ofа the

blood-stain on the library floor. Thisа certainly was very strange,а asа the

door wasа always locked at night byа Mr. Otis, and the windowsа kept closely

barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a good deal of

comment. Some mornings it wasа a dull (almost Indian) red, thenа it would be

vermilion,а thenа a rich purple,а and once whenа they cameа downа for family

prayers,а accordingа to the simpleа ritesа ofа theа Freeа Americanа Reformed

Episcopalianаа Church,аа theyа foundа itаа aа brightа emerald-green.аа These

kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party very much, andа bets on the

subject were freely made every evening.а The onlyа person who didа not enter

into theа jokeа wasа little Virginia, who, for some unexplainedа reason, was

always aа good deal distressed at the sightа of theа blood-stain,а andа very

nearly cried the morning it was emerald-green.

аааа Theа second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night.а Shortly after

they had gone toа bed they wereа suddenly alarmed by aа fearful crash in the

hall.а Rushing downstairs, they foundа thatа a large suit of old armourа had

becomeа detached from its stand,а and had fallen on the stoneа floor, while,

seated inа a high-backed chair, was the Canterville ghost, rubbing his knees

with anа expression ofа acuteа agony on his face.а The twins, having brought

their pea-shooters withа them, at onceа discharged two pellets on him,а with

that accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice

on a writing-master, whileа the United States Ministerа covered him with his

revolver,а and called upon him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to

hold up his hands!а The ghostа startedа up withа a wild shriekа of rage, and

swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington Otis's candle as he

passed, andа so leaving them all inа total darkness. On reachingа the top of

theа staircase he recovered himself, and determinedа toа give his celebrated

pealа of demoniac laughter.а This he hadа onа moreа than oneа occasion found

extremely useful.а Itа was said toа have turned Lordа Raker's wig greyа in a

single night,а andа had certainlyа made threeа ofа Lady Canterville's French

governesses give warning beforeа theirа month was up. He accordingly laughed

hisа most terrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, but

hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came

outа inа aа light blueа dressing-gown. "Iа amа afraid you are farа from

well," sheа said, " and have brought youа a bottle of Dr. Dobell's

tincture.а Ifа itа isа indigestion,а youа willа findа itа aа mostа excellent

remedy."а The ghost glared at her inа fury, andа beganа at once to make

preparationsа for turning himself into a largeа black dog, an accomplishment

forа which he was justlyа renowned,а and toа which the familyа doctor always

attributed the permanent idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas

Horton. Theа sounds of approaching footsteps, however,а made him hesitate in

hisаа fellа purpose,аа soа heаа contentedа himselfа withа becomingаа faintly

phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the twins

had come up to him.

аааа On reachingа his room heа entirely broke down, and became a prey to the

mostа violentаа agitation.а Theа vulgarityа ofа theа twins,а andа theа gross

materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally extremely annoying, but what really

distressed him most was, that he hadа been unable to wear the suite of mail.

He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the sightа of a

Spectre In Armour, if for noа more sensible reason, atа least out of respect

forа their nationalа poetа Longfellow,а overа whoseа graceful and attractive

poetry heа himself had whiled awayа many aа weary hour when the Cantervilles

were upа in town. Besides,а it was his own suite. He hadа worn it with great

success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had been highly complimented on it

by no less person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet when heа had put it on,

he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge breastplate and

steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both his

knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand.

аааа Forа some days after thisа he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out

of hisа roomа atа all, except toа keepа theа blood-stainа in properа repair.

However, by taking great care of himself, he recovered, and relsoved to make

aа thirdа attemptа to frighten the United States Minister and his family. He

selected Friday, theа 17

 

th

 

а ofа August,а for his appearance,а and

spent most of that day in looking over his wardrobe,а ultimately deciding in

favor of a large slouched hat with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at

the wrists andа neck, and a rasty dagger. Towards evening a violent storm of

rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the windows and doors in the

old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was justа such weather as he loved.

His plan of action was this.а He was to makeа his way quietlyа to Washington

Otis'sа room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three

times in the throat to the sound of slow music. He bore Washington a special

grudge,а beingа quite aware that it wasа he who was in the habit of removing

theа famousа Cantervilleа blood-stain,а byаа meansа ofа Pinkerton'sа Paragon

Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy youth to a condition of

abject terror,а heа was then to proceedа to theа room occupied by the United

States Minister and his wife,а and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis

forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets

of the charnel-house. Withа regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made

up hisа mind. Sheа hadа neverа insultedа him in any way, and wasа pretty and

gentle. Aа few hollow groans from theа wardrobe, he thought, wouldа beа more

that sufficient,а or, if thatа failedа to wake her, he might grabbleа at the

counterpaneа with palsy-twitching fingers.а As for theа twins, he wasа quite

determinedа toа teach themа a lesson.а The firstа thingа to beа done was, of

course, to sit upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of

nightmare. Then,а as theirа beds wereа quite closeа toа each other, to stand

between them inа the formа ofа aа green, icy-coldа corpse, tillа they became

paralysed withа fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, and crawl

round the room, with white, bleached bonesа andа one rolling eyeball, in the

character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton",а a

 

role

 

а in

which he had on more than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he

considered quite equal to his famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the

Masked Mystery."

аааа At half-past ten he heard the family goingа to bed. For someа more time

he was disturbedа by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins,а who, with the

light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before

they retired to rest, but atа a quarter past elevenа all wasа still, and, as

midnightа sounded, heа sailed forth.а The owl beat against the window panes,

the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round

theа house like a lost soul; but the Otisа family slept unconscious of their

doom, and high above the rain and stormа he could hear the steady snoring of

theа Ministerа forа theа Unitedа States.а Heа steppedа stealthy outа ofа the

wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, andа theа moon

hid herа face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, whereа his

own arms and thoseа of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On

and on he glided,а like an evil shadow, the very darkness seemingа to loathe

him as he passed. Once he thought he heard something call, and stopped;а but

it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and he went on, muttering

strangeа sixteenth-centuryа curses,а and ever and anon brandishing the rusty

daggerа inа the midnightа air. Finallyа he reached the corner of the passage

that led to luckless Washington'sа room. For a momentа he pausedа there, the

wind blowing his long grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque

and fantastic folds the nameless horror of the dead man'sа shroud.а Then the

clock struckа theа quarter,а andа he felt the time wasа come. Heа chucked to

himself, andа turned the corner; but no soonerа had he done so, than, with a

piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long,

bonyа hands.а Rightа inа frontа ofа him wasа standingа aа horribleа spectre,

motionlessа as a carven image,а and monstrous as a madman's dream!а Its head

wasа bald and burnished;а its faceа round, and fat,а and white; andа hideous

laughter seemed to have writhedа its features into an eternal grin. From the

eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of fire,а and

a hideousа garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan

form.а Onа itsа breastа wasа aа placardа withа strangeа writingа inа antique

characters,а some scroll of shame it seemed, some record of wild sins,а some

awful calendar of crime, and,а with its right hand, it bore aloft a falchion

of gleaming steel.

аааа Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened,

and, after a second hasty glance at the awful phantom, heа fledа back to his

room,а tripping up in his long winding-sheetа asа he sped down the corridor,

andа finally dropping the rusty dagger into the Minister's jack-boots, where

it wasа found in theа morning by the butler. Once in the privacy of hisа own

apartment, heа flung himselfа downа on a small pallet-bed,а and hid his face

under the clothes.а Afterа a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit

asserted itself,а andа he determined to go and speak toа the otherа ghost as

soonа as itа was daylight.а Accordingly, just as the dawn wasа touchingа the

hills with silver, he returned towards the spot where he had first laid eyes

on the grisly phantom, feeling that, afterа all, two ghosts were better than

one, and that, byа the aid of his new friend,а he mightа safely grapple with

theа twins. On reachingа the spot, however, a terrible sight metа hisа gaze.

Something had evidently happened to the spectre, for the light hadа entirely

faded from itsа hollow eyes, the gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand,

andа itа wasа leaning upа againstа the wall in a strained andа uncomfortable

attitude. He rushed forward and seizedа it in his arms, when, to his horror,

the head slipped off and rolledа on the floor,а the body assumed a recumbent

posture,а and he foundа himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain,а with a

sweeping-brush,а a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnipа lying at hisа feet!

Unableа to understand thisа curious transformation,а he clutched the placard

withа feverish haste, andа there, inа the grey morning light, he readа these

fearful words:

 

аааа

 

 

YE OTIS GHOSTE.

 

аааа Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook.

аааа Beware of Ye Imitationes.

аааа All others are Counterfeite.

 

 

 

аааа Theа whole thing flashed across him.а He had been

tricked, foiled, and outwitted! The old Canterville look came into his eyes;

he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising hisа withered hands high

aboveа his head, swore,а accordingа toа theа picturesque phraseology ofа the

antique school, thatа whenа Chantecleerа hadа sounded twice hisа merry horn,

deeds of blood would be wrought, and Murder walk abroad with silent feet.

аааа Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of

a distant homestead, a cock crew. Heа laughed a long, low, bitterа laugh and

waited. Hour afterа hour heа waited,а but the cock, for some strange reason,

didа notа crowа again.а Finally, atа half-past seven,а theа arrivalа ofа the

housemaids made him giveа up hisа fearful vigil, and he stalked back toа his

room,а thinking ofа his vainа oath andа baffled purpose. There heа consulted

severalа books ofа ancient chivalry,а of whichа he was exceedingly fond, and

found that, on every occasion on whichа this oath had been used, Chanticleer

hadа alwaysаа crowedа aа secondа time.а "Perditionа seizeа theа naughty

fowl,"а he muttered,а "Iа have seenа the day when, withа myа stout

spear, Iа would have run himа through the gorge, and made him crow for me an

'twereа in death!" Heа then retired to aа comfortableа lead coffin, and

stayed there till evening.

 

 

ааааааа IV

 

аааа The next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement

of theа lastа fourа weeksа was beginigа to have its effect.а His nerves were

completely shattered,а and he started at the slightest noise. Forа five days

he kept his room, and at last made upа his mind to give upа the point of the

blood-stainа on the libraryа floor. If the Otis family did not want it, they

clearly did not deserve it. Theyа were evidently people on aа low,а material

plane of existence, and quite incapableа of appreciatingа the symbolic value

of sensuousа phenomena. Theа question ofа phantasmicа apparitions,а andа the

development of astral bodies,а was ofа course quite a differentа matter, and

really notа underа hisа control.а It wasа his solemn duty to appearа inа the

corridor once a week, and to gibber from the large oriel window on the first

andа thirdа Wednesdayа in everyа month, andа heа didа not seeа howа he could

honourably escape frimа hisа obligations. It is quite true that his life had

been very evil, but, upon the other hand, heа was most conscientiousа in all

thingsа connectedа withа theа supernatural.а Forа the nextа three Saturdays,

accordingly,а he traversed the corridor as usualа between midnight and three

o'clock taking every possible precaution against being either heard or seen.

He removedа hisа boots,а trodа as lightly asа possible on the old worm-eaten

boards, wore a large black velvet cloak,а and was careful to useа the Rising

Sun Lubricator for oilingа his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it was

with a good deal of difficulty thatа he broughtа himself to adopt thisа last

mode of protection. However, one night, while theа family were at dinner, he

slipped into Mr.Otis's bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt aа little

humiliatedа at first, but afterwards was sensible enough toа seeа that there

was a great deal to beа said for the invention, and, to a certain degree, it

served his purpose.

аааа Still, in spite of everything, he was not left unmolested. Strings were

continually beingа stretched across theа corridor,а over which he tripped in

the dark, andа onа one occasion, whileа dressed for the partа of "Black

Isaak, orа theа Huntsman ofа Hogleyа Woods," he met with a severe fall,

through treading on a butter-slide, which the twins had constructed from the

entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the top of the oak staircase.а This last

insult soа enraged him, that he resolved to make one finalа effort to assest

his dignity and social position, and determined to visit theа insolent young

Etoniansа theа nextа nightа inа hisа celebrated characterа of "Reckless

Rupert, or the Headless Earl."

аааа He had not appearedа in this disguise for moreа than seventyа years; in

fact, not since he had so frightened pretty Lady Barbaraа Modish by means of

it,а thatа sheа suddenly broke offа her engagementа withа theа presentа Lord

Canterville's grandfather,а and ran away toа Gretta Green with handsome Jack

Castleton, declaring that nothingа inа the worldа would induceа her to marry

intoа a family that allowedа such a horrible phantom to walk up and down the

terraceа at twilight.а Poorа Jackа wasа afterwardsа shot inа a duelа by Lord

Canterville on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at

Tunbridge Wells before the year wasа out,а so, in every way, itа had beenа a

great success. It was, however, anа extremely difficult "make-up",

ifа I may use suchа aа theatrical expressionа in connection with oneа of the

greatestа mysteriesа of the supernatural, or,а to employ aа moreа scientific

term, the higher-natural world,а and it tookа him fully three hours toа make

his preparations. At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with

hisа appearance.а The big leather riding-boots that went with the dress were

justа a littleа too largeа forа him, and he couldа only find one ofа the two

horse-pistols, but,а on the whole,а he was quite satisfied, and at a quarter

past one he glided out of the wainscoting andа creptа down theа corridor. On

reachingа the room occupied by twins, which I should mention wasа called the

Blueа Bedа Chamber, on account of the colourа of its hangings, heа found the

door justа ajar. Wishingа toа makeа an effective entrance,а he flung it wide

open, when a heavyа jug of water fell right down on him, wetting him toа the

skin, and just missing his left shoulder byа a couple of inches. At the same

moment he heard stifled shrieks ofа laughter proceeding fromа theа four-post

bed. The shockа to his nervousа system was so great that he fled back to his

room as hard as he could go,а and the next day he was laid up with aа severe

cold. Theа only thing that at all consoledа himа in the whole affair was the

fact that heа had not broughtа his head with him, for, hadа heа done so, the

consequences might have been very serious.

аааа He now gave up all hopeа of ever frightening this rude American family,

and contented himself, asа a rule, withа creeping about the passages in list

slippers,а with aа thick red muffler round his throatа for fear of draughts,

and a small arquebuse, in case he should be attacked by the twins. The final

blow he received occurred on the 19

 

th

 

аofа September.а He had gone

downstairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate,

he would be quiteа unmolested,а and was amusingа himself by making satirical

remarks onа the large Saroni photographsа of the United States Ministerа and

his wife, whichа had now taken the place of the Canterville family pictures.

He was simplyа but neatlyа clad inа aа long shroud,а spotted with churchyard

mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, and carried a small

lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he wasа dressed for theа character of

"Jonasа the Graveless, or theа Corpse-Snatcherа of Chertsey Barn,"

oneа of his mostа remarkableа impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles

hadа everyа reason to remember, asа it was the realа origin of their quarrel

with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It was aboutа a quarter past two o'clock

inа the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, noа one was stirring. As

he wasа strolling towards theа library, however, toа seeа ifа there were any

traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark

cornerа two figures,а whoа waved theirа arms wildly aboveа their heads,а and

shrieked out "BOO!" in his ear.

аааа Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances,а was only natural,

he rushed for the staircase, but found Washington Otis waitnig for him there

with the bigа gardenа syringe; andа beingа thus hemmed in byа his enemies on

every side, and driven almost to bay, he vanished into the great iron stove,

which,а fortunately forа him, wasа not lit, and hadа toа makeа hisа way home

through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a terrible state

of dirt, disorder and dispair.

аааа After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins

lay inа waitа forа him on several occasions,а and strewed the passagesа with

nutshells everyа night toа theа greatа annoyance ofа their parentsа andа the

servants, butа it was ofа no avail. Itа was quite evidentа that his feelings

were so wounded that he wouldа not appear. Mr. Otis consequently resumed his

great work on theа historyа of the Democraticа Party,а onа which he had been

engagedа for someа years;а Mrs.а Otis organised a wonderful clam-bake, which

amazed the wholeа country; theа boys took toа lacrosse,а euchre,а poker, and

other Americanа nationalа games;а and Virginia rodeа about the lanes onа her

pony, accompaniedа by the young Duke ofа Cheshire, who had come to spend the

last week of hisа holidays atа Cantervilleа Chase. It wasа generally assumed

that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr.а Otis wrote a letter to that

effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed hisа great pleasureа at

the news, and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife.

аааа The Otises,а however, wereа decieved, forа theа ghostа was still in the

house,а andа though now almost anа invalid, was byа no meansа readyа toа let

mattersа rest, particularly as he heard that among the guests wasа the young

Dukeа ofа Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis Stilton, had onceа bet a

hundredа guineasа withа Colonelа Carburyа that he wouldа play dice withа the

Canterville ghost, and was foundа the next morning lying on the floor of the

card-room in such a helpless paralytic state, that though he livedа onа to a

greatа age, heа was neverа ableа toа sayа anythingа againа butа "Double

Sixes". The story was well known at the time, though, of course, out of

respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every attempt was made to

hushа it up; and aа full accountа of all the circumstances connected with it

willа beа found in the third volumeа ofа Lordа Tattle's

 

Recollections of the

Prince Regentа and his Friends.

 

аThe ghost, then, wasа naturally very anxious

to show thatа heа had not lost his influence over theа Stiltons, withа whom,

indeed, he was distantly connected, his own first cousin having beed married

en secondes nocesа to the Sieurа de Bulkeley, from whom, as every one knows,

theа Dukesа ofа Cheshireа areа lineallyа descended.а Accordingly,аа heа made

arrangementsа forа appearing to Virginia'sа littleа loverа in his celebrated

impersonationаа ofааа "Theаа Vampireааа Monk,аа or,ааа theааа Bloodless

Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old Ladyа Startup saw

it, whichа she did on one fatalа New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, sheа went

off into the mostа piercing shrieks,а which culminated inа violent apoplexy,

and diedа in three days, after disinherting theа Cantervilles,а who were her

nearest relations,а andа leaving allа her money to her London apothecary. At

the last moment, his terror of the twins prevented his leaving his room, and

the little Duke slept in peace under the great feathered canopy in the Royal

Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia.

 

 

ааааааа V

 

аааа A few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier wentа out

riding on Brockery meadows,а where she toreа herа habit soа badly in getting

through a hedge, that,а on their return home, she made up her mind to goа up

byа the back staircaseа soа as not toа be seen.а As sheа was runnig past the

Tapestry Chamber, the door of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw

some one inside, andа thinking itа was her mother's maid, who sometimes used

to bringа her work here, looked inа toа askа her toа mend herа habit. To her

immense surprise,а however,а it wasа theа Cantervilleа ghost himself! He was

sitting by the window, watching the ruinedа gold of theа yellowing trees fly

through the air, and theа red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His

head wasа leaning onа his hand,а andа his whole attitude wasа one of extreme

depression.а Indeed, so forlorn, and so much out of repair did he look, that

littleа Virginia, whose first ideaа had been to run away and lock herself in

her room, was filledа with pity, andа determined to tryа and comfort him. So

light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of

her presence tillshe spoke to him.

аааа "I am so sorry for you," she said,а "but my brothers are

going backа to Eton to-morrow, and then, if you behave yourself, no one will

annoy you."

аааа "Itа isа absurd askingа meа to behave myself,"а heа answered,

looking round in astonishment at the pretty little girl who had venturedа to

address him, "quiteа absurd. I must rattle my chains, and groan through

keyholes, and walk about at night, if that isа what you mean.а It is my only

reason for existing."

аааа "It is no reasonа at all for existing, and youа know you have been

very wicked. Mrs. Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had

killed your wife."

аааа "Well,а Iа quiteаа admitа it,"а saidа theа ghostа petulantly,

"but it was a purely family matter, and concerned no one else."

аааа "Itа is very wrongа toа killа any one," said Virginia, who at

timesа had aа sweetа Puritanа gravity,а caughtа fromа someа oldа New England

ancestor.

аааа "Oh, I hate theа cheap severity ofа abstractа ethics! My wifeа was

veryа plain, neverа had my ruffs properly starched,а and knew nothingа about

cookery. Why, there аwasа a buck I had shot inа Hogley Woods,а a magnificent

pricket, and do you know how she hadа it sent up to table? However, it is no

matterа now, for it is all over, and Iа don't think it was very nice ofа her

brothers to starve me to death, though I had killed her."

аааа "Starve you to death?а Oh,а Mr. Ghost, Iа mean Sir Simon,а are you

hungry? I have a sandwich in my case. Would you like it?"

аааа "No, thank you, I neverа eat anything now; but it is veryа kind of

you, allа theа same, and you are much nicer that the restа ofа yourа horrid,

rude, vulgar, dishonest family."

аааа "Stop!"а cried Virginia, stampingа herа foot, "it is you

who are rude, and horrid, and vulgar, andа as for dishonesty,а youа know you

stoleа theа paintsа outа of myа box toа try and furbishа up thatа ridiculous

blood-stainа in the library.а First youа tookа all myа reds,а includingа the

vermillion,а andа Iаа could'tа doа anyа moreа sunsets,а thenа youа tookа the

emerald-greenа and theа chrome-yellow,а and finally I hadа nothing leftа but

indigo andа Chinese white, andа couldа onlyа do moonlightа scenes, which are

always depressing to look at, andа not at all easy to paint. I never told on

you, though I was veryа much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous,а the whole

thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?"

аааа "Well, really," said the ghost, rather meekly, "what was

I to do? It is a veryа difficult thing toа get realа blood nowadays, and, as

your brotherа began it all with hisа Paragonа Detergent, I certainly sawа no

reason why I should not have your paints. Asа for colour,а that isа always a

matter of taste: the Cantervillesа have blue blood,а forа instance, the very

bluest in England; butа I know you Americans don't care for thingsа ofа this

kind."

аааа "You know nothing about it,а and theа best thing you can do isа to

emigrate and improve your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you

a free passage, and though there isа a heavy duty on spirits ofа every kind,

there will be no difficulty about theа Custom House, as the officers are all

Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great success. I know lots

of peopleа there whoа wouldа giveа aа hundredа thousands dollarsа to haveа a

grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost."

аааа "I don't think I should like America."

аааа "I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said

Virginia satirically.

аааа "Noа ruins! no curiosities!"а answeredа the ghost;а "you

have your navy and your manners."

аааа "Good evening; аI will go andа ask papa to get the twinsа an extra

week's holiday."

аааа "Please don'tа go, Missа Virginia," heа cried; "I amа so

lonelyа and so unhappy, and I really don't know whatа to do. I want to go to

sleep and I cannot."

аааа "That's quite absurd! You have merely to goа toа bed and blowа out

theа candle. Itа is veryа difficult sometimesа toа keep awake, especially at

church, but there is noа difficulty at all aboutа sleeping. Why, even babies

know how to do that, and they are not very clever."

аааа "I have not slept forа three hundredа years," he saidа sadly,

and Virginia'sа beautifullа blueа eyesа opened inа wonder;а "forа three

hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired."

аааа Virginiaа grewаа quiteа grave,а andаа herа littleа lipsа trembledа like

rose-leaves. Sheа came towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up

into his old withered face.

аааа "Poor, poorа Ghost," she murmured;а "haveа youа no place

where you can sleep?"

аааа "Far away beyond the pinewoods," he answered, in a low dreamy

voice, "there is a little garden. Thereа the grass grows long and deep,

there are the great white stars of the hemlock flower, there the nightingale

singsа all night long. All night long he sings, and theа cold, crystalа moon

looksа down,а andа theаа yew-treeа spreadsа outа itsа giantа armsа overа the

sleepers."

аааа Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands.

аааа "You mean the Garden of Death," she wispered.

аа аа"Yes, Death. Death must be so beautiful. To lieа in the soft brown

earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, andа listenа to silence. To

have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, toа forgive life, to be

at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of Death's house,

for Love is always with you, and Love is stronger than Death is."

аааа Virginiaа trembled,а aа cold shudder ranа through her,а andа for aа few

moments there was silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream.

аааа Then the ghost spoke again, andа his voice sounded like the sighning of

the wind.

аааа "Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?"

аааа "Oh, often," criedа the little girl, looking up; "I know

it quiteа well. It is painted in curious black letters,а and it is difficult

to read. There are only six lines:

 

аааа

 

 

WHEN A GOLDEN GIRL CAN WIN

аааа PRAYER FROM OUT THE LIPS OF SIN,

аааа WHEN THE BARREN ALMOND BEARS,

аааа AND A LITTLE CHILD GIVES AWAY ITS TEARS,

аааа THEN SHALL ALL THE HOUSE BE STILL

аааа AND PEACE COME TO CANTERVILLE.

 

 

 

аааа But I don't know what they mean."

аааа "They mean," heа said sadly, "that you must weep with me

for my sins, because Iа haveа no tears,а and pray withа meа forа my my soul,

because I have no faith, and then, if you have alwaysа been sweet, and good,

and gentle, the Angel of Deathа will have mercy on me. You will see fearfull

shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will wisper in your ear, but they will

not harm you, forа againstа the purity of a little child the powers ofа Hell

cannot prevail."

аааа Virginia made no answer, and theа ghost wrung his hands in wild despair

asа heа looked downа at her bowed golden head. Suddenlyа she stoodа up, very

pale, and with a strange light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she

said firmly, "and I will ask the Angel to have mercy on you."

аааа He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent

over it with old-fashioned grace andа kissed it. His fingers were as cold as

ice, and his lips burned like fire, but Virginia didа not falter, asа he led

her across the dusky room. On the faded green tapestry were broidered little

huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny hands waved to

her to go back. "Go back! littleа Virginia," they cried,а "go

back!" But the ghost clutched herа handа more tightly, and she shut her

eyesа against them. Horrible animalsа withа lizardа tails,а and goggle eyes,

blinkedа atа her from theа carven chimney-piece, andа murmured "Beware!

littleа Virginia,а beware!а we may neverа see you again," but the ghost

glided on more swiftly,а and Virginiaа did not listen. When they reached the

endа ofа theа roomа heа stopped,а andа mutteredа someа words sheа couldа not

understand. She opened her eyes, andа saw the wall slowly fading away like a

mist, andа a great black cavernа in front of her. A bitterа cold windа swept

roundа them,а andа sheа feltа somethingа pulling at her dress.а "Quick,

quick," cried the ghost, "or it will be too late," and, inа a

moment, the wainscoting had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was

empty.

 

 

ааааааа VI

 

аааа About ten minutes later, the bell rang forа tea,а and, as Virginiaа did

notа come down, Mrs. Otis sent upа one ofа theа footmen to tell her. After a

littleа timeа heа returnedа andа said thatа heа could not find Miss Virginia

anywhere. As she was in the habitа of going out toа the garden every evening

to get flowersа for theа dinner-table, Mrs.а Otis wasа not at all alarmed at

first, butа when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not appear, she became

really agitated, andа sentа the boysа out to look for her, while she herself

and Mr.а Otisа searched every room in the house. At half-pastа sixа the boys

came backа and said that they could find no trace of their sisterа anywhere.

They wereа all now in the greatest state of exitement, and did not know what

to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly remembered that, some few days before,а he had

given a band ofа gipsies permission to campа inа the park. He accordingly at

once set off forа Blackfell Hollow, where he knew they were, accompaniedа by

hisа eldestа sonа and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke of Cheshire,

who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too,

but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle.

On arriving at the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it

was evident thatа their departure had been ratherа sudden,а as the fireа was

stillа burning, and some plates were lyingа on the grass.а Havingа sentа off

Washingtonа andа theа twoа menа toа scour theа district,а he ranа home,а and

despatched telegrams to all the policeа inspectorsа in theа country, telling

them to look outа forа a little girl whoа hadа been kidnapped byа trampsа or

gipsies. He then ordered his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting

on his wife andа the three boys sitting downа to dinner, rode offа downа the

Ascotа road with aа groom.а He hadа hardly, however, gone a couple of miles,

whenа heа heard somebodyа galloping after him,а and, looking round, sawа the

little Dukeа coming up on his pony,а with hisа face very flushed and no hat.

"I'mа awfullyа sorry,а Mr. Otis," gaspedа out the boy, "but I

can't eatа anyа dinner as long as Virginiaа is lost. Please, don'tа be angry

with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, there would never have been

all thisа trouble. You won't send meа back, willа you? Iа can'tа go! I won't

go!"

аааа The Ministerа could not helpа smiling at the handsome young scapegrace,

andа was aа good deal touched at hisа devotion to Virginia, so leaningа down

from his horse, he patted him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well,

Cecil, if you won't go back I supposeа you must come with me, but I must get

you a hat at Ascot."

аааа "Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried theа little Duke,

laughing,а andа they gallopedа on toа theа railwayа station. There Mr.а Otis

inquiredа ofа the station-master if anyа one answering to the description of

Virginia hadа been seen on the platform, but could getа no newsа of her. The

station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him thatа a

strict watchа would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat forа the

littleа Duke from a linen-draper,а who was just putting up his shutters, Mr.

Otis rode offа to Bexley, a village about four miles away, which he was told

was aа well-known haunt of the gipsies, as there was a largeа common next to

it. Here theyа roused upа the rural policeman, but could get noа information

from him,а and, after riding all over theа common, they turned their horses'

heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock,а dead-tired and

almost heartbroken. They foundа Washington and the twins waiting for them at

the gate-house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest

traceа ofа Virginiaа had been discovered. Theа gipsies hadа beenа caughtа on

Brockerly meadows, but she was notа with them, and they hadа explained their

sudden departure byа saying that they had mistaken the date of Chorton Fair,

and had gone offа in aа hurry for fear theyа might be late. Indeed, they had

been quite distressed atа hearing of Virginia's disappearance,а as they were

very grateful to Mr. Otis forа having allowed them to camp inа his park, and

four of their number had stayed behindа to help in the search. The carp-pond

had been dragged, and the whole Chase thoroughly gone over,а but without any

result.а It was evident that,а for that night at any rate, Virginia was lost

to them; and it was in a state of the deepest depressionа that Mr. Otisа and

the boysа walked up toа the house, the groom followingа behind withа the two

horsesа and the pony. In the hall they found a group of frightened servants,

and lyingа on a sofaа in theа library was poor Mrs. Otis,а almost out of her

mindа withа terrorа andа anxiety,аа andа havingа herа foreheadа bathedа with

eau-de-cologne byа the oldа housekeeper.а Mr.а Otis atа once insisted on her

having something to eat, and ordered up a supper for the whole party. It was

a melancholyа meal,а asа hardlyа anyа oneа spoke,а andа evenа the twins were

awestruck and subdued, as they were veryа found of theirа sister. Whenа they

hadа finished, Mr.а Otis,а in spiteа of theа entreaties ofа the little Duke,

ordered them all to bed, saying that nothing more could beа done that night,

andа that heа wouldа telegraphа inа the morning to Scotlandа Yardа forа some

detectives to be sent down immediately. Just as they were passing out of the

dining-room, midnight beganа to boom from the clock tower, and when the last

stroke sounded they heardа a crashа and a sudden shrill cry; a dreadful peal

of thunderа shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the

air, aа panelа at the topа of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and

out on the landing, looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her

hand, stepped Virginia. In a moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis

claspedа herа passionately in her arms, the Duke smothered herа with violent

kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round the group.

аааа "Goodа heavens!а child, where have you been?" saidа Mr. Otis,

rather angrily,а thinkingа that sheа had been playing some foolish trickа on

them. "Cecilа and Iа have been riding all overа the country looking for

you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You must never play these

practical jokes any more."

аааа "Except onа the ghost!а except onа theа ghost!"а shrieked the

twins, as they capered about.

аааа "My own darling, thankа God you are found; you must never leave my

side again," murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and

smoothed the tangled gold of her hair.

аааа "Papa,"а saidа Virginiaа quietly, "I haveа been with the

ghost.а He isа dead, and you must come and see him. He had been very wicked,

but he was really sorry for all that he had done, and he gave me this box of

beautiful jewels before he died."

аааа The wholeа family gazedа at herа in mute amazement, butа she wasа quite

graveа andа serious; and, turning round, she led them through the opening in

the wainscotingа down a narrow secretа corridor, Washington following with a

lighted candle, which he had caught up from the table. Finally, they came to

a great oak door,а studdedа with rustyа nails. When Virginia touched it,а it

swungа back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselvesа in a littleа low

room, with aа vaultedа ceiling, and one tiny grated window.а Imbedded in the

wall was a huge iron ring, and chained to itа was a gaunt skeleton, that was

stretched out at full length on the stone floor, and seemed to beа trying to

graspа with its long fleshless fingers an old-fashionedа trencher andа ewer,

that were placed just outа of itsа reach.а The jugа had evidentlyа been once

filledа withа water,а as it wasа covered insideа with green mould. There was

nothing on the trencherа but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down besideа the

skeleton,а and, folding her little handsа together,а began to pray silently,

whileа the rest of the party lookedа onа inа wonderа at the terrible tragedy

whose secret was now disclosed to them.

аааа "Hallo!"а suddenly exclaimed oneа of the twins, whoа had been

looking out of the window to tryа and discover in what wing of the house the

room was situated. "Hallo! the old withered almond-tree hasа blossomed.

I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight."

аааа "God has forgiven him," said Virginia gravely, as she rose to

her feet, and a beautifull light seemed to illumine her face.

аааа "What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his

arm round her neck, and kissed her.

 

 

ааааааа VII

 

аааа Fourа daysа afterа theseа curiousа incidentsа aа funeralа startedа from

Cantervilleа Chase at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by

eightа blackа horses, each of which carried onа its headа aа greatа tuftа of

noddingа ostrich-plumes, and theа leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple

pall, onа which was embroidered in gold the Canterville coat-of-arms. By the

side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants with lighted torches,

andа theа whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lordа Canterville was

theа chiefа mourner,а havingа come up speciallyа fromа Wales toа attendа the

funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came

the United States Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys,

and in the last carriage was Mrs. Umney. It was generally feltа that, as she

had been frightened by theа ghost for more than fifty years of her life, she

had a right to see the lastа of him. A deep grave had been dug in the corner

of theа churchyard,а just under theа corner of the yew-tree, and the service

was read in the mostа impressive manner by the Rev.а Augustusа Dampier. When

the ceremony was over, the servants, according to an old custom observed the

Canterville family, extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being

lowered into theа grave, Virginia stepped forward,а and laid onа itа a large

cross made of white andа pink almond-blossoms. As she did so, theа moon came

out fromа behind a cloud,а and floodedа with itsа silent silverа theа little

churchyard,а andа fromа a distantа copse aа nightingaleа began to sing.а She

thought of the ghost's description of the Gardenа of Death, her eyesа became

dim with tears, and she hardly spoke a word during the drive home.

аааа The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had

an interviewа with himа on theа subject of the jewels the ghost had given to

Virginia.а Theyа wereа perfectlyа magnificent,а especiallyа aа certainа ruby

necklaceа with oldа Venetian setting, which wasа really a superb specimen of

sixteenth-centuryа work, and their value was so greatа thatа Mr.а Otisа felt

considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them.

аааа "Myа Lord,"а heа said,а "Iа knowа that inа thisа country

mortmain is held to apply to trinketsа as well as to land,а and itа is quite

clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in your family. I

must beg you,а accordingly, to take them to London with you,а andа to regard

themа simply asа a portion of your property which has beenа restoredа to you

under certain strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child,

and has as yet, I am glad to say, but little interest in suchа appurtenances

of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. Otis,а who, I may say, is no mean

authority uponа Art - having had the priviledge ofа spending several winters

in Boston when she was a girl - that these gems are of great monetary worth,

and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these circumstances,

Lord Canterville,а Iа feel sureа thatа you will recogniseа how impossible it

would beа forа me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of

my family; and,а indeed,а all suchа vain gauds andа toys, however suitableor

necessary to the dignity of the British aristocracy, would be completely out

of place among those whoа have been brought upа on the severe, and I believe

immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. Perchaps I shoud mention that

Virginia is very anxious thatа you should allowа her to retain the box, as a

memento of your unfortunate butа misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old,

and consequently a good deal out of repair,а you may perchapsа think fitа to

complyа withа herа request.а For myа own part, Iа confess I amа aа good deal

surprised to find a childа of mine expressingа sympathy with mediaevalism in

any form, and can only account for it by the fact thatа Virginia was born in

one of your London suburbsа shortly after Mrs. Otis had returned from a trip

to Athens."

аааа Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech,

pulling his greyа moustache now and then to hideа an involuntaryа smile, and

when Mr.а Otisа had ended,а heа shook him cordially byа the hand, andа said,

"Myа dearа sir,а yourа charmingа little daughterа renderedа myа unlucky

ancestor, Sir Simon, aа very important service, and I and my family are much

indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly

hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heatlessа enough to take them from

her, the wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading

me the devil of a life. As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom

that is not soа mentioned inа a will or legal document, and the existence of

these jewels has been quite unknown. Iа assureа you Iа have no more claim on

them than your buttler, and whenа Miss Virginia grows up Iа daresay she will

beа pleased toа have pretty things to wear.а Besides, youа forget, Mr. Otis,

that you took the furniture and the ghost at aа valuation, and anything that

belonged to the ghost passedа at once intoа yourа possession,а as,а whatever

activity Sir Simon may have shown in the corridor at night, in pointа of law

he was really dead, and you acquired his property by purchase."

аааа Mr. Otis was a good deal disressed atа Lord Canterville's refusal,а and

begged him to reconsider hisа decision, but the good-natured peer wasа quite

firm, and finally induced the Minister toа allow his daughter to retainа the

present the ghost had given her, and when, in the spring of 1890,а the young

Duchess of Cheshireа was presented at the Queen's first drawing-room onа the

occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of admiration.

For Virginia receivedа the coronet, which is theа reward of allа good little

Americanа girls, and was married to her boy-lover as he cameа ofа age.а They

were both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was

delighted at the match,а exceptа theа old Marchioness of Dumbleton, whoа had

triedа to catchа the Duke for one of her seven unmarriedа daughters, and had

given noа lessа than three expensive dinner-partiesа forа that purpose, and,

strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr.а Otis wasа extremely fond of the young

Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles,а and, to use his

own words,а "was notа withoutа apprehensionа lest, amidа the enervating

influencesа ofа aа pleasure-lovingа aristocracy,аа theа trueа principlesа of

Republicanа simplicity shouldа beа forgotten." His objections, however,

were completely overruled, and I believe that when he walked up the aisle of

St. George's, Hanover Square, withа his daughter leaningа on his arm,а there

was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England.

аааа The Dukeа and the Duchess, after the honeymoon was over,а went downа to

Canterville Chase, and on theа dayа after their arrivalа they walked over in

the afternoon to the lonely churchyard by the pine-woods.а There had beenа a

great dealа of difficulty at firstа about аtheа inscription onа Sirа Simon's

tomb-stone, butа finally it had beenа decided toа engrave on itа simplyа the

initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window.

The Duchess had brought with herа some lovelyа roses, which she strewed upon

the grave, and after they had stood by itа for some time theyа strolled into

the ruined chancel of the old abbey. There the Duchessа sat down on a fallen

pillar, while her husband lay at her feet smoking a cigarette and looking up

at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw hisа cigaretteа away,а took hold of

her hand,а and said to her, "Virginia,а a wife should have noа sectrets

from her husband."

аааа "Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you."

аааа "Yes, youа have,"а he answered, smiling, "you have never

told me what happened to you when you were locked up with the ghost."

аааа "I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia gravely.

аааа "I know that, but you might tell me."

аааа "Pleaseа don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I

owe him a great deal. Yes,а don't laugh, Cecil, I reallyа do. He made me see

whatа Lifeа is,а and what Deathа signifies, and whyа Loveа is strongerа than

both."

аааа The Dukeа roseа andа kisse his wife lovingly.а "You can haveа your

secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured.

аааа "You have always had that, Cecil."

аааа "And you will tell our children some day, won't you?"

аааа Virginia blushed.