Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Dream.
were surrounded by an impenetrable gloom , unable to distinguish any object save where a moonbeam strayed through the rifted walls at broken distances . A feeling of intense awe , partaking of a considerable portion of fear , seized upon us both at the same instant ; our feet appeared rivetted to the earth ; and looking in each other ' s faces , we trembled at the mutual expression of terror they exhibited , and turned our eyes towards the interior of the vault to avoid seeing it again . We ivould have seemed to hold
retraced our steps , but could not : some invisible power us fast—we were gathered in a cloud from which there was no egresswe spoke , in broken murmurs , of the fatality ivhich led us into so awful a situation , and startled with terror as the bat struck against us in her uncertain flight , and fell stunned at our feet ! " Hush ! " exclaimed M ., interrupting me as I was about to speak , and pointing with his finger to an object which , in despite of the darkness , of the
was distinctly visible . It was a female : her garments were purest white , and her countenance wore an expression of the deepest sorrow , which , although partly screened by a hood , appeared beautiful . Soft sounds of wailing issued from her lips , and her clasped hands were lifted up in the attitude of severe suffering . She suddenly turned her eyes upon the countenance of my companion , uttered a shriek of anguish , and instantlvanished
y . "It is she ! " he cried , shuddering , " and the death-hour of some person in our family is at hand . It was the Banshee!—she came to warn me of the circumstance—let us begone . " At this moment we observed a figure issuing from the most remote part of the vault , visible only when the pale light of the moon entered
through the ruinous apertures , alternately appearing and vanishing as he passed by them , but advancing nearer and nearer . It wore the habit of a monk ; and as he approached the features became perfectly distinct . His face was paler than the marble slabs that rest upon the graves of the departed ; and it was stained ivith the green blotches of corruption such as deform the fair face of death when the body has been kept too long before interment . The head was finely formed , and the glassy eyes
fixed upon my friend—large , full , and black as jet—had all the fascinating power of superhuman influence . The figure receded again into the darkness , keeping its fatal gaze upon M ., who followed it instinctively until , by a sudden and powerful grasp , I held him by my side—and the object vanished ! , When we were sufficiently recovered from our alarm to speak , we became ashamed of the feelings we had betrayed to each otherand
, , temerity taking the post of fear in our breasts , we concluded that some one , who had observed our entrance into the vaults , had played this trick upon us . Courage being restored , we were about to quit the spot , when the monk appeared a second time , advancing from the same direction in which we had formerly beheld him , with the same slow , gliding , soundless motion as beforeA desperate firmness determined us to await his approach .
. He advanced until ivithin a few inches of us—paused—and receded again in the same manner as at first . A current of air catching his flowing habit , occasioned it to touch my hand , which instantly became bloodless , and cold as death . My fortitude deserted me , and I trembled violently ; but my companion became angry with the impostor , as he called him , and urged me to pursue and punish the offender . At that instant , a greyish light illuminated the vault , and revealed to us the in-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Dream.
were surrounded by an impenetrable gloom , unable to distinguish any object save where a moonbeam strayed through the rifted walls at broken distances . A feeling of intense awe , partaking of a considerable portion of fear , seized upon us both at the same instant ; our feet appeared rivetted to the earth ; and looking in each other ' s faces , we trembled at the mutual expression of terror they exhibited , and turned our eyes towards the interior of the vault to avoid seeing it again . We ivould have seemed to hold
retraced our steps , but could not : some invisible power us fast—we were gathered in a cloud from which there was no egresswe spoke , in broken murmurs , of the fatality ivhich led us into so awful a situation , and startled with terror as the bat struck against us in her uncertain flight , and fell stunned at our feet ! " Hush ! " exclaimed M ., interrupting me as I was about to speak , and pointing with his finger to an object which , in despite of the darkness , of the
was distinctly visible . It was a female : her garments were purest white , and her countenance wore an expression of the deepest sorrow , which , although partly screened by a hood , appeared beautiful . Soft sounds of wailing issued from her lips , and her clasped hands were lifted up in the attitude of severe suffering . She suddenly turned her eyes upon the countenance of my companion , uttered a shriek of anguish , and instantlvanished
y . "It is she ! " he cried , shuddering , " and the death-hour of some person in our family is at hand . It was the Banshee!—she came to warn me of the circumstance—let us begone . " At this moment we observed a figure issuing from the most remote part of the vault , visible only when the pale light of the moon entered
through the ruinous apertures , alternately appearing and vanishing as he passed by them , but advancing nearer and nearer . It wore the habit of a monk ; and as he approached the features became perfectly distinct . His face was paler than the marble slabs that rest upon the graves of the departed ; and it was stained ivith the green blotches of corruption such as deform the fair face of death when the body has been kept too long before interment . The head was finely formed , and the glassy eyes
fixed upon my friend—large , full , and black as jet—had all the fascinating power of superhuman influence . The figure receded again into the darkness , keeping its fatal gaze upon M ., who followed it instinctively until , by a sudden and powerful grasp , I held him by my side—and the object vanished ! , When we were sufficiently recovered from our alarm to speak , we became ashamed of the feelings we had betrayed to each otherand
, , temerity taking the post of fear in our breasts , we concluded that some one , who had observed our entrance into the vaults , had played this trick upon us . Courage being restored , we were about to quit the spot , when the monk appeared a second time , advancing from the same direction in which we had formerly beheld him , with the same slow , gliding , soundless motion as beforeA desperate firmness determined us to await his approach .
. He advanced until ivithin a few inches of us—paused—and receded again in the same manner as at first . A current of air catching his flowing habit , occasioned it to touch my hand , which instantly became bloodless , and cold as death . My fortitude deserted me , and I trembled violently ; but my companion became angry with the impostor , as he called him , and urged me to pursue and punish the offender . At that instant , a greyish light illuminated the vault , and revealed to us the in-