TheTapestriedChamberbySirWalterScottandDeathoftheLaird’sJockINTRODUCTION。
　　ThisisanotherlittlestoryfromTheKeepsakeof1828。ItwastoldtomemanyyearsagobythelateMissAnnaSeward，who，amongotheraccomplishmentsthatrenderedheranamusinginmateinacountryhouse，hadthatofrecountingnarrativesofthissortwithveryconsiderableeffect——muchgreater，indeed，thananyonewouldbeapttoguessfromthestyleofherwrittenperformances。Therearehoursandmoodswhenmostpeoplearenotdispleasedtolistentosuchthings；andIhaveheardsomeofthegreatestandwisestofmycontemporariestaketheirshareintellingthem。
　　AUGUST1831
　　*
　　THETAPESTRIEDCHAMBER；
　　OR，THELADYINTHESACQUE。
　　Thefollowingnarrativeisgivenfromthepen，sofarasmemorypermits，inthesamecharacterinwhichitwaspresentedtotheauthor’sear；norhasheclaimtofurtherpraise，ortobemoredeeplycensured，thaninproportiontothegoodorbadjudgmentwhichhehasemployedinselectinghismaterials，ashehasstudiouslyavoidedanyattemptatornamentwhichmightinterferewiththesimplicityofthetale。
　　Atthesametime，itmustbeadmittedthattheparticularclassofstorieswhichturnsonthemarvellouspossessesastrongerinfluencewhentoldthanwhencommittedtoprint。Thevolumetakenupatnoonday，thoughrehearsingthesameincidents，conveysamuchmorefeebleimpressionthanisachievedbythevoiceofthespeakeronacircleoffiresideauditors，whohanguponthenarrativeasthenarratordetailstheminuteincidentswhichservetogiveitauthenticity，andlowershisvoicewithanaffectationofmysterywhileheapproachesthefearfulandwonderfulpart。Itwaswithsuchadvantagesthatthepresentwriterheardthefollowingeventsrelated，morethantwentyyearssince，bythecelebratedMissSewardofLitchfield，who，tohernumerousaccomplishments，added，inaremarkabledegree，thepowerofnarrativeinprivateconversation。Initspresentformthetalemustnecessarilylosealltheinterestwhichwasattachedtoitbytheflexiblevoiceandintelligentfeaturesofthegiftednarrator。Yetstill，readaloudtoanundoubtingaudiencebythedoubtfullightoftheclosingevening，orinsilencebyadecayingtaper，andamidstthesolitudeofahalf—
　　lightedapartment，itmayredeemitscharacterasagoodghoststory。MissSewardalwaysaffirmedthatshehadderivedherinformationfromanauthenticsource，althoughshesuppressedthenamesofthetwopersonschieflyconcerned。IwillnotavailmyselfofanyparticularsImayhavesincereceivedconcerningthelocalitiesofthedetail，butsufferthemtorestunderthesamegeneraldescriptioninwhichtheywerefirstrelatedtome；
　　andforthesamereasonIwillnotaddtoordiminishthenarrativebyanycircumstance，whethermoreorlessmaterial，butsimplyrehearse，asIheardit，astoryofsupernaturalterror。
　　AbouttheendoftheAmericanwar，whentheofficersofLordCornwallis’sarmy，whichsurrenderedatYorktown，andothers，whohadbeenmadeprisonersduringtheimpoliticandill—fatedcontroversy，werereturningtotheirowncountry，torelatetheiradventures，andreposethemselvesaftertheirfatigues，therewasamongstthemageneralofficer，towhomMissS。gavethenameofBrowne，butmerely，asIunderstood，tosavetheinconvenienceofintroducinganamelessagentinthenarrative。Hewasanofficerofmerit，aswellasagentlemanofhighconsiderationforfamilyandattainments。
　　SomebusinesshadcarriedGeneralBrowneuponatourthroughthewesterncounties，when，intheconclusionofamorningstage，hefoundhimselfinthevicinityofasmallcountrytown，whichpresentedasceneofuncommonbeauty，andofacharacterpeculiarlyEnglish。
　　Thelittletown，withitsstatelyoldchurch，whosetowerboretestimonytothedevotionofageslongpast，layamidstpasturesandcornfieldsofsmallextent，butboundedanddividedwithhedgerowtimberofgreatageandsize。Therewerefewmarksofmodernimprovement。Theenvironsoftheplaceintimatedneitherthesolitudeofdecaynorthebustleofnovelty；thehouseswereold，butingoodrepair；andthebeautifullittlerivermurmuredfreelyonitswaytotheleftofthetown，neitherrestrainedbyadamnorborderedbyatowing—path。
　　Uponagentleeminence，nearlyamiletothesouthwardofthetown，wereseen，amongstmanyvenerableoaksandtangledthickets，theturretsofacastleasoldasthewallsofYorkandLancaster，butwhichseemedtohavereceivedimportantalterationsduringtheageofElizabethandhersuccessor，Ithadnotbeenaplaceofgreatsize；butwhateveraccommodationitformerlyaffordedwas，itmustbesupposed，stilltobeobtainedwithinitswalls。Atleast，suchwastheinferencewhichGeneralBrownedrewfromobservingthesmokearisemerrilyfromseveraloftheancientwreathedandcarvedchimney—stalks。Thewalloftheparkranalongsideofthehighwayfortwoorthreehundredyards；andthroughthedifferentpointsbywhichtheeyefoundglimpsesintothewoodlandscenery，itseemedtobewellstocked。
　　Otherpointsofviewopenedinsuccession——nowafulloneofthefrontoftheoldcastle，andnowasideglimpseatitsparticulartowers，theformerrichinallthebizarrerieoftheElizabethanschool，whilethesimpleandsolidstrengthofotherpartsofthebuildingseemedtoshowthattheyhadbeenraisedmorefordefencethanostentation。
　　Delightedwiththepartialglimpseswhichheobtainedofthecastlethroughthewoodsandgladesbywhichthisancientfeudalfortresswassurrounded，ourmilitarytravellerwasdeterminedtoinquirewhetheritmightnotdeserveanearerview，andwhetheritcontainedfamilypicturesorotherobjectsofcuriosityworthyofastranger’svisit，when，leavingthevicinityofthepark，herolledthroughacleanandwell—pavedstreet，andstoppedatthedoorofawell—frequentedinn。
　　Beforeorderinghorses，toproceedonhisjourney，GeneralBrownemadeinquiriesconcerningtheproprietorofthechateauwhichhadsoattractedhisadmiration，andwasequallysurprisedandpleasedathearinginreplyanoblemannamed，whomweshallcallLordWoodville。Howfortunate！MuchofBrowne’searlyrecollections，bothatschoolandatcollege，hadbeenconnectedwithyoungWoodville，whom，byafewquestions，henowascertainedtobethesamewiththeownerofthisfairdomain。
　　Hehadbeenraisedtothepeeragebythedeceaseofhisfatherafewmonthsbefore，and，astheGenerallearnedfromthelandlord，thetermofmourningbeingended，wasnowtakingpossessionofhispaternalestateinthejovialseasonofmerry，autumn，accompaniedbyaselectpartyoffriends，toenjoythesportsofacountryfamousforgame。
　　Thiswasdelightfulnewstoourtraveller。FrankWoodvillehadbeenRichardBrowne’sfagatEton，andhischosenintimateatChristChurch；theirpleasuresandtheirtaskshadbeenthesame；
　　andthehonestsoldier’sheartwarmedtofindhisearlyfriendinpossessionofsodelightfularesidence，andofanestate，asthelandlordassuredhimwithanodandawink，fullyadequatetomaintainandaddtohisdignity。Nothingwasmorenaturalthanthatthetravellershouldsuspendajourney，whichtherewasnothingtorenderhurried，topayavisittoanoldfriendundersuchagreeablecircumstances。
　　Thefreshhorses，therefore，hadonlythebrieftaskofconveyingtheGeneral’stravellingcarriagetoWoodvilleCastle。AporteradmittedthematamodernGothiclodge，builtinthatstyletocorrespondwiththecastleitself，andatthesametimerangabelltogivewarningoftheapproachofvisitors。Apparentlythesoundofthebellhadsuspendedtheseparationofthecompany，bentonthevariousamusementsofthemorning；for，onenteringthecourtofthechateau，severalyoungmenwereloungingaboutintheirsportingdresses，lookingatandcriticizingthedogswhichthekeepersheldinreadinesstoattendtheirpastime。AsGeneralBrownealighted，theyounglordcametothegateofthehall，andforaninstantgazed，asatastranger，uponthecountenanceofhisfriend，onwhichwar，withitsfatiguesanditswounds，hadmadeagreatalteration。Buttheuncertaintylastednolongerthantillthevisitorhadspoken，andtheheartygreetingwhichfollowedwassuchascanonlybeexchangedbetwixtthosewhohavepassedtogetherthemerrydaysofcarelessboyhoodorearlyyouth。
　　"IfIcouldhaveformedawish，mydearBrowne，"saidLordWoodville，"itwouldhavebeentohaveyouhere，ofallmen，uponthisoccasion，whichmyfriendsaregoodenoughtoholdasasortofholiday。Donotthinkyouhavebeenunwatchedduringtheyearsyouhavebeenabsentfromus。Ihavetracedyouthroughyourdangers，yourtriumphs，yourmisfortunes，andwasdelightedtoseethat，whetherinvictoryordefeat，thenameofmyoldfriendwasalwaysdistinguishedwithapplause。"
　　TheGeneralmadeasuitablereply，andcongratulatedhisfriendonhisnewdignities，andthepossessionofaplaceanddomainsobeautiful。
　　"Nay，youhaveseennothingofitasyet，"saidLordWoodville，"andItrustyoudonotmeantoleaveustillyouarebetteracquaintedwithit。Itistrue，Iconfess，thatmypresentpartyisprettylarge，andtheoldhouse，likeotherplacesofthekind，doesnotpossesssomuchaccommodationastheextentoftheoutwardwallsappearstopromise。Butwecangiveyouacomfortableold—fashionedroom，andIventuretosupposethatyourcampaignshavetaughtyoutobegladofworsequarters。"
　　TheGeneralshruggedhisshoulders，andlaughed。"Ipresume，"hesaid，"theworstapartmentinyourchateauisconsiderablysuperiortotheoldtobacco—caskinwhichIwasfaintotakeupmynight’slodgingwhenIwasintheBush，astheVirginianscallit，withthelightcorps。ThereIlay，likeDiogeneshimself，sodelightedwithmycoveringfromtheelements，thatImadeavainattempttohaveitrolledontomynextquarters；butmycommanderforthetimewouldgivewaytonosuchluxuriousprovision，andItookfarewellofmybelovedcaskwithtearsinmyeyes。"
　　"Well，then，sinceyoudonotfearyourquarters，"saidLordWoodville，"youwillstaywithmeaweekatleast。Ofguns，dogs，fishing—rods，flies，andmeansofsportbyseaandland，wehaveenoughandtospare——youcannotpitchonanamusementbutwewillfindthemeansofpursuingit。Butifyoupreferthegunandpointers，Iwillgowithyoumyself，andseewhetheryouhavemendedyourshootingsinceyouhavebeenamongsttheIndiansofthebacksettlements。"
　　TheGeneralgladlyacceptedhisfriendlyhost’sproposalinallitspoints。Afteramorningofmanlyexercise，thecompanymetatdinner，whereitwasthedelightofLordWoodvilletoconducetothedisplayofthehighpropertiesofhisrecoveredfriend，soastorecommendhimtohisguests，mostofwhomwerepersonsofdistinction。HeledGeneralBrownetospeakofthesceneshehadwitnessed；andaseverywordmarkedalikethebraveofficerandthesensibleman，whoretainedpossessionofhiscooljudgmentunderthemostimminentdangers，thecompanylookeduponthesoldierwithgeneralrespect，asononewhohadprovedhimselfpossessedofanuncommonportionofpersonalcourage——thatattributeofallothersofwhicheverybodydesirestobethoughtpossessed。
　　ThedayatWoodvilleCastleendedasusualinsuchmansions。Thehospitalitystoppedwithinthelimitsofgoodorder。Music，inwhichtheyounglordwasaproficient，succeededtothecirculationofthebottle；cardsandbilliards，forthosewhopreferredsuchamusements，wereinreadiness；buttheexerciseofthemorningrequiredearlyhours，andnotlongaftereleveno’clocktheguestsbegantoretiretotheirseveralapartments。
　　Theyounglordhimselfconductedhisfriend，GeneralBrowne，tothechamberdestinedforhim，whichansweredthedescriptionhehadgivenofit，beingcomfortable，butold—fashioned，Thebedwasofthemassiveformusedintheendoftheseventeenthcentury，andthecurtainsoffadedsilk，heavilytrimmedwithtarnishedgold。Butthenthesheets，pillows，andblanketslookeddelightfultothecampaigner，whenhethoughtofhis"mansion，thecask。"Therewasanairofgloominthetapestryhangings，which，withtheirworn—outgraces，curtainedthewallsofthelittlechamber，andgentlyundulatedastheautumnalbreezefounditswaythroughtheancientlatticewindow，whichpatteredandwhistledastheairgainedentrance。Thetoilet，too，withitsmirror，turbanedafterthemannerofthebeginningofthecentury，withacoiffureofmurrey—colouredsilk，anditshundredstrange—shapedboxes，providingforarrangementswhichhadbeenobsoleteformorethanfiftyyears，hadanantique，andinsofaramelancholy，aspect。Butnothingcouldblazemorebrightlyandcheerfullythanthetwolargewaxcandles；orifaughtcouldrivalthem，itwastheflaming，bickeringfagotsinthechimney，thatsentatoncetheirgleamandtheirwarmththroughthesnugapartment，which，notwithstandingthegeneralantiquityofitsappearance，wasnotwantingintheleastconveniencethatmodernhabitsrenderedeithernecessaryordesirable。
　　"Thisisanold—fashionedsleepingapartment，General，"saidtheyounglord；"butIhopeyoufindnothingthatmakesyouenvyyouroldtobacco—cask。"
　　"Iamnotparticularrespectingmylodgings，"repliedtheGeneral；"yetwereItomakeanychoice，Iwouldpreferthischamberbymanydegreestothegayerandmoremodernroomsofyourfamilymansion。Believemethat，whenIuniteitsmodernairofcomfortwithitsvenerableantiquity，andrecollectthatitisyourlordship’sproperty，IshallfeelinbetterquartersherethanifIwereinthebesthotelLondoncouldafford。"
　　"Itrust——Ihavenodoubt——thatyouwillfindyourselfascomfortableasIwishyou，mydearGeneral，"saidtheyoungnobleman；andoncemorebiddinghisguestgood—night，heshookhimbythehand，andwithdrew。
　　TheGeneraloncemorelookedroundhim，andinternallycongratulatinghimselfonhisreturntopeacefullife，thecomfortsofwhichwereendearedbytherecollectionofthehardshipsanddangershehadlatelysustained，undressedhimself，andpreparedforaluxuriousnight’srest。
　　Here，contrarytothecustomofthisspeciesoftale，weleavetheGeneralinpossessionofhisapartmentuntilthenextmorning。
　　Thecompanyassembledforbreakfastatanearlyhour，butwithouttheappearanceofGeneralBrowne，whoseemedtheguestthatLordWoodvillewasdesirousofhonouringaboveallwhomhishospitalityhadassembledaroundhim。HemorethanonceexpressedsurpriseattheGeneral’sabsence，andatlengthsentaservanttomakeinquiryafterhim。ThemanbroughtbackinformationthatGeneralBrownehadbeenwalkingabroadsinceanearlyhourofthemorning，indefianceoftheweather，whichwasmistyandungenial。
　　"Thecustomofasoldier，"saidtheyoungnoblemantohisfriends。"Manyofthemacquirehabitualvigilance，andcannotsleepaftertheearlyhouratwhichtheirdutyusuallycommandsthemtobealert。"
　　YettheexplanationwhichLordWoodvillethusofferedtothecompanyseemedhardlysatisfactorytohisownmind，anditwasinafitofsilenceandabstractionthathewaitedthereturnoftheGeneral。Ittookplacenearanhourafterthebreakfastbellhadrung。Helookedfatiguedandfeverish。Hishair，thepowderingandarrangementofwhichwasatthistimeoneofthemostimportantoccupationsofaman’swholeday，andmarkedhisfashionasmuchasinthepresenttimethetyingofacravat，orthewantofone，wasdishevelled，uncurled，voidofpowder，anddankwithdew。Hisclotheswerehuddledonwithacarelessnegligence，remarkableinamilitaryman，whoserealorsupposeddutiesareusuallyheldtoincludesomeattentiontothetoilet；
　　andhislookswerehaggardandghastlyinapeculiardegree。
　　"Soyouhavestolenamarchuponusthismorning，mydearGeneral，"saidLordWoodville；"oryouhavenotfoundyourbedsomuchtoyourmindasIhadhopedandyouseemedtoexpect。Howdidyourestlastnight？"
　　"Oh，excellentlywell！remarkablywell！neverbetterinmylife，"saidGeneralBrownerapidly，andyetwithanairofembarrassmentwhichwasobvioustohisfriend。Hethenhastilyswallowedacupoftea，andneglectingorrefusingwhateverelsewasoffered，seemedtofallintoafitofabstraction。
　　"Youwilltakethegunto—day，General？"saidhisfriendandhost，buthadtorepeatthequestiontwiceerehereceivedtheabruptanswer，"No，mylord；IamsorryIcannothavetheopportunityofspendinganotherdaywithyourlordship；myposthorsesareordered，andwillbeheredirectly。"
　　Allwhowerepresentshowedsurprise，andLordWoodvilleimmediatelyreplied"Posthorses，mygoodfriend！Whatcanyoupossiblywantwiththemwhenyoupromisedtostaywithmequietlyforatleastaweek？"
　　"Ibelieve，"saidtheGeneral，obviouslymuchembarrassed，"thatImight，inthepleasureofmyfirstmeetingwithyourlordship，havesaidsomethingaboutstoppinghereafewdays；butIhavesincefounditaltogetherimpossible。"
　　"Thatisveryextraordinary，"answeredtheyoungnobleman。"Youseemedquitedisengagedyesterday，andyoucannothavehadasummonsto—day，forourposthasnotcomeupfromthetown，andthereforeyoucannothavereceivedanyletters。"
　　GeneralBrowne，withoutgivinganyfurtherexplanation，mutteredsomethingaboutindispensablebusiness，andinsistedontheabsolutenecessityofhisdepartureinamannerwhichsilencedalloppositiononthepartofhishost，whosawthathisresolutionwastaken，andforboreallfurtherimportunity。
　　"Atleast，however，"hesaid，"permitme，mydearBrowne，sincegoyouwillormust，toshowyoutheviewfromtheterrace，whichthemist，thatisnowrising，willsoondisplay。"
　　Hethrewopenasash—window，andsteppeddownupontheterraceashespoke。TheGeneralfollowedhimmechanically，butseemedlittletoattendtowhathishostwassaying，as，lookingacrossanextendedandrichprospect，hepointedoutthedifferentobjectsworthyofobservation。ThustheymovedontillLordWoodvillehadattainedhispurposeofdrawinghisguestentirelyapartfromtherestofthecompany，when，turningrounduponhimwithanairofgreatsolemnity，headdressedhimthus：——
　　"RichardBrowne，myoldandverydearfriend，wearenowalone。
　　Letmeconjureyoutoanswermeuponthewordofafriend，andthehonourofasoldier。Howdidyouinrealityrestduringlastnight？"
　　"Mostwretchedlyindeed，mylord，"answeredtheGeneral，inthesametoneofsolemnity——"somiserably，thatIwouldnotruntheriskofsuchasecondnight，notonlyforallthelandsbelongingtothiscastle，butforallthecountrywhichIseefromthiselevatedpointofview。"
　　"Thisismostextraordinary，"saidtheyounglord，asifspeakingtohimself；"thentheremustbesomethinginthereportsconcerningthatapartment。"AgainturningtotheGeneral，hesaid，"ForGod’ssake，mydearfriend，becandidwithme，andletmeknowthedisagreeableparticularswhichhavebefallenyouunderaroof，where，withconsentoftheowner，youshouldhavemetnothingsavecomfort。"
　　TheGeneralseemeddistressedbythisappeal，andpausedamomentbeforehereplied。"Mydearlord，"heatlengthsaid，"whathappenedtomelastnightisofanaturesopeculiarandsounpleasant，thatIcouldhardlybringmyselftodetailiteventoyourlordship，wereitnotthat，independentofmywishtogratifyanyrequestofyours，Ithinkthatsincerityonmypartmayleadtosomeexplanationaboutacircumstanceequallypainfulandmysterious。Toothers，thecommunicationIamabouttomake，mightplacemeinthelightofaweak—minded，superstitiousfool，whosufferedhisownimaginationtodeludeandbewilderhim；butyouhaveknownmeinchildhoodandyouth，andwillnotsuspectmeofhavingadoptedinmanhoodthefeelingsandfrailtiesfromwhichmyearlyyearswerefree。"Herehepaused，andhisfriendreplied，——
　　"Donotdoubtmyperfectconfidenceinthetruthofyourcommunication，howeverstrangeitmaybe，"repliedLordWoodville。"Iknowyourfirmnessofdispositiontoowell，tosuspectyoucouldbemadetheobjectofimposition，andamawarethatyourhonourandyourfriendshipwillequallydeteryoufromexaggeratingwhateveryoumayhavewitnessed。"
　　"Well，then，"saidtheGeneral，"IwillproceedwithmystoryaswellasIcan，relyinguponyourcandour，andyetdistinctlyfeelingthatIwouldratherfaceabatterythanrecalltomymindtheodiousrecollectionsoflastnight。"
　　Hepausedasecondtime，andthenperceivingthatLordWoodvilleremainedsilentandinanattitudeofattention，hecommenced，thoughnotwithoutobviousreluctance，thehistoryofhisnight’sadventuresintheTapestriedChamber。
　　"Iundressedandwenttobedsosoonasyourlordshipleftmeyesterdayevening；butthewoodinthechimney，whichnearlyfrontedmybed，blazedbrightlyandcheerfully，and，aidedbyahundredexcitingrecollectionsofmychildhoodandyouth，whichhadbeenrecalledbytheunexpectedpleasureofmeetingyourlordship，preventedmefromfallingimmediatelyasleep。Iought，however，tosaythatthesereflectionswereallofapleasantandagreeablekind，groundedonasenseofhavingforatimeexchangedthelabour，fatigues，anddangersofmyprofessionfortheenjoymentsofapeacefullife，andthereunionofthosefriendlyandaffectionatetieswhichIhadtornasunderattherudesummonsofwar。
　　"Whilesuchpleasingreflectionswerestealingovermymind，andgraduallylullingmetoslumber，Iwassuddenlyarousedbyasoundlikethatoftherustlingofasilkengown，andthetappingofapairofhigh—heeledshoes，asifawomanwerewalkingintheapartment。EreIcoulddrawthecurtaintoseewhatthematterwas，thefigureofalittlewomanpassedbetweenthebedandthefire。Thebackofthisformwasturnedtome，andIcouldobserve，fromtheshouldersandneck，itwasthatofanoldwoman，whosedresswasanold—fashionedgown，whichIthinkladiescallasacque——thatis，asortofrobecompletelylooseinthebody，butgatheredintobroadplaitsupontheneckandshoulders，whichfalldowntotheground，andterminateinaspeciesoftrain。
　　"Ithoughttheintrusionsingularenough，butneverharbouredforamomenttheideathatwhatIsawwasanythingmorethanthemortalformofsomeoldwomanabouttheestablishment，whohadafancytodresslikehergrandmother，andwho，havingperhaps（asyourlordshipmentionedthatyouwereratherstraitenedforroom）
　　beendislodgedfromherchamberformyaccommodation，hadforgottenthecircumstance，andreturnedbytwelvetoheroldhaunt。UnderthispersuasionImovedmyselfinbedandcoughedalittle，tomaketheintrudersensibleofmybeinginpossessionofthepremises。Sheturnedslowlyround，but，graciousHeaven！
　　mylord，whatacountenancedidshedisplaytome！Therewasnolongeranyquestionwhatshewas，oranythoughtofherbeingalivingbeing。Uponafacewhichworethefixedfeaturesofacorpsewereimprintedthetracesofthevilestandmosthideouspassionswhichhadanimatedherwhileshelived。Thebodyofsomeatrociouscriminalseemedtohavebeengivenupfromthegrave，andthesoulrestoredfromthepenalfire，inordertoformforaspaceaunionwiththeancientaccompliceofitsguilt。Istartedupinbed，andsatupright，supportingmyselfonmypalms，asIgazedonthishorriblespectre。Thehagmade，asitseemed，asingleandswiftstridetothebedwhereIlay，andsquattedherselfdownuponit，inpreciselythesameattitudewhichIhadassumedintheextremityofhorror，advancingherdiabolicalcountenancewithinhalfayardofmine，withagrinwhichseemedtointimatethemaliceandthederisionofanincarnatefiend。"
　　HereGeneralBrownestopped，andwipedfromhisbrowthecoldperspirationwithwhichtherecollectionofhishorriblevisionhadcoveredit。
　　"Mylord，"hesaid，"Iamnocoward，Ihavebeeninallthemortaldangersincidentaltomyprofession，andImaytrulyboastthatnomaneverknewRichardBrownedishonourtheswordhewears；butinthesehorriblecircumstances，undertheeyes，and，asitseemed，almostinthegraspofanincarnationofanevilspirit，allfirmnessforsookme，allmanhoodmeltedfrommelikewaxinthefurnace，andIfeltmyhairindividuallybristle。Thecurrentofmylife—bloodceasedtoflow，andIsankbackinaswoon，asveryavictimtopanicterroraseverwasavillagegirl，orachildoftenyearsold。HowlongIlayinthisconditionIcannotpretendtoguess。