TheCantervilleGhost

AnamusingchronicleofthetribulationsoftheGhostofCantervilleChasewhenhisancestralhallsbecamethehomeoftheAmericanMinistertotheCourtofSt.James

By

WILDE

IllustratedbyWALLACEGOLDSMITH

1906

JohnW.LuceandCompanyBostonandLondon

LISTOFILLUSTRATIONS

MISSVIRGINIAE.OTIS"HADONCERACEDOLDLORDBILTONONHERPONY""BLOODHASBEENSPILLEDONTHATSPOT""IREALLYMUSTINSISTONYOUROILINGTHOSECHAINS""THETWINS...ATONCEDISCHARGEDTWOPELLETSONHIM""ITSHEADWASBALDANDBURNISHED""HEMETWITHASEVEREFALL""AHEAVYJUGOFWATERFELLRIGHTDOWNONHIM""MAKINGSATIRICALREMARKSONTHEPHOTOGRAPHS""SUDDENLYTHERELEAPEDOUTTWOFIGURES""'POOR,POORGHOST,'SHEMURMURED;'HAVEYOUNOPLACEWHEREYOUCANSLEEP?'""THEGHOSTGLIDEDONMORESWIFTLY""HEHEARDSOMEBODYGALLOPINGAFTERHIM""OUTONTHELANDINGSTEPPEDVIRGINIA""CHAINEDTOITWASAGAUNTSKELETON""BYTHESIDEOFTHEHEARSEANDTHECOACHESWALKEDTHESERVANTSWITHLIGHTEDTORCHES""THEMOONCAMEOUTFROMBEHINDACLOUD"

I

W henMr. Hiram B. Otis, the AmericanMinister, bought CantervilleChase, everyone toldhimhewasdoingavery foolish thing, as therewasnodoubtat all that theplacewashaunted. Indeed,LordCantervillehimself,whowasamanofthemostpunctilioushonour,hadfeltithisdutytomentionthefacttoMr.Otiswhentheycametodiscussterms.

"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville,"sincemygrandaunt,theDowagerDuchessofBolton,wasfrightenedintoafit,fromwhichsheneverreallyrecovered,bytwoskeletonhandsbeingplacedonher shouldersas shewasdressing fordinner, and I feelbound to tellyou,Mr.Otis, that theghosthasbeen seenby several livingmembersofmy family, aswellasbytherectoroftheparish,theRev.AugustusDampier,whoisaFellowofKing's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate accident to the Duchess,noneofouryoungerservantswouldstaywithus,andLadyCantervilleoftengotverylittlesleepatnight,inconsequenceofthemysteriousnoisesthatcamefromthecorridorandthelibrary."

"MyLord,"answeredtheMinister,"Iwilltakethefurnitureandtheghostatavaluation. Ihavecomefromamoderncountry,wherewehaveeverything thatmoneycanbuy;andwithallourspryyoungfellowspaintingtheOldWorldred,andcarryingoffyourbestactorsandprima-donnas,Ireckonthat if thereweresuchathingasaghostinEurope,we'dhaveitathomeinaveryshorttimeinoneofourpublicmuseums,orontheroadasashow."

"I fear that theghost exists," saidLordCanterville, smiling, "though itmayhave resisted the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been wellknownforthreecenturies,since1584infact,andalwaysmakesitsappearancebeforethedeathofanymemberofourfamily."

"Well,sodoesthefamilydoctorforthatmatter,LordCanterville.Butthereisnosuchthing,sir,asaghost,andIguessthelawsofNaturearenotgoingtobesuspendedfortheBritisharistocracy."

"YouarecertainlyverynaturalinAmerica,"answeredLordCanterville,who

did not quite understandMr.Otis's last observation, "and if you don'tmind aghostinthehouse,itisallright.OnlyyoumustrememberIwarnedyou."

MISSVIRGINIAE.OTISMISSVIRGINIAE.OTIS

Afewweeksafter this, thepurchasewasconcluded, andat thecloseof theseasontheMinisterandhisfamilywentdowntoCantervilleChase.Mrs.Otis,who,asMissLucretiaR.Tappan,ofWest53dStreet,hadbeenacelebratedNewYorkbelle,wasnowaveryhandsome,middle-agedwoman,withfineeyes,anda superb profile.ManyAmerican ladies on leaving their native land adopt anappearance of chronic ill-health, under the impression that it is a form ofEuropean refinement, butMrs.Otishadnever fallen into this error.Shehadamagnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits.Indeed,inmanyrespects,shewasquiteEnglish,andwasanexcellentexampleof thefact thatwehavereallyeverythingincommonwithAmericanowadays,except, of course, language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by hisparentsinamomentofpatriotism,whichheneverceasedtoregret,wasafair-haired,rathergood-lookingyoungman,whohadqualifiedhimselfforAmericandiplomacy by leading theGerman at theNewportCasino for three successiveseasons,andeveninLondonwaswellknownasanexcellentdancer.Gardeniasandthepeeragewerehisonlyweaknesses.Otherwisehewasextremelysensible.MissVirginiaE.Otiswasalittlegirloffifteen,litheandlovelyasafawn,andwitha finefreedominher largeblueeyes.ShewasawonderfulAmazon,andhadonceracedoldLordBiltononherponytwiceroundthepark,winningbyalengthandahalf, just infrontoftheAchillesstatue, tothehugedelightoftheyoungDukeofCheshire,whoproposedforheronthespot,andwassentbacktoEtonthatverynightbyhisguardians,infloodsoftears.AfterVirginiacamethetwins, who were usually called "The Star and Stripes," as they were alwaysgetting swished. They were delightful boys, and, with the exception of theworthyMinister,theonlytruerepublicansofthefamily.

"HADONCERACEDOLDLORDBILTONONHERPONY""HADONCERACEDOLDLORDBILTONONHERPONY"

AsCantervilleChase is sevenmiles fromAscot, thenearest railwaystation,Mr.Otis had telegraphed for awaggonette tomeet them, and they started ontheirdriveinhighspirits.ItwasalovelyJulyevening,andtheairwasdelicatewith the scent of the pinewoods. Now and then they heard a wood-pigeonbrooding over its own sweet voice, or saw, deep in the rustling fern, the

burnishedbreastofthepheasant.Littlesquirrelspeeredatthemfromthebeech-treesastheywentby,andtherabbitsscuddedawaythroughthebrushwoodandover the mossy knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered theavenueofCantervilleChase,however, the skybecamesuddenlyovercastwithclouds,acuriousstillnessseemedtoholdtheatmosphere,agreatflightofrookspassed silentlyover their heads, and, before they reached thehouse, somebigdropsofrainhadfallen.

Standingon the steps to receive themwas anoldwoman,neatlydressed inblacksilk,withawhitecapandapron.ThiswasMrs.Umney,thehousekeeper,whomMrs.Otis,atLadyCanterville'searnestrequest,hadconsentedtokeepinherformerposition.Shemadethemeachalowcurtseyastheyalighted,andsaidin a quaint, old-fashionedmanner, "I bid youwelcome toCantervilleChase."Followingher, theypassed through the fineTudorhall into the library,a long,lowroom,panelledinblackoak,at theendofwhichwasalargestainedglasswindow.Heretheyfoundtealaidoutforthem,and,aftertakingofftheirwraps,theysatdownandbegantolookround,whileMrs.Umneywaitedonthem.

SuddenlyMrs.Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by thefireplace,and,quiteunconsciousofwhatitreallysignified,saidtoMrs.Umney,"Iamafraidsomethinghasbeenspiltthere."

"Yes,madam," replied theoldhousekeeper in a lowvoice, "bloodhasbeenspiltonthatspot."

"BLOODHASBEENSPILLEDONTHATSPOT""BLOODHASBEENSPILLEDONTHATSPOT"

"Howhorrid!"criedMrs.Otis;"Idon'tatallcareforblood-stainsinasitting-room.Itmustberemovedatonce."

Theoldwomansmiled,andansweredinthesamelow,mysteriousvoice,"ItisthebloodofLadyEleanoredeCanterville,whowasmurderedonthatveryspotbyherownhusband,SirSimondeCanterville,in1575.SirSimonsurvivedhernineyears,anddisappearedsuddenlyunderverymysteriouscircumstances.Hisbodyhasneverbeendiscovered,buthisguiltyspiritstillhauntstheChase.Theblood-stain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot beremoved."

"That is all nonsense," criedWashingtonOtis; "Pinkerton'sChampionStainRemover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the

terrified housekeeper could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and wasrapidly scouring the floor with a small stick of what looked like a blackcosmetic.Inafewmomentsnotraceoftheblood-staincouldbeseen.

"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he lookedround at his admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than aterribleflashoflightninglitupthesombreroom,afearfulpealofthundermadethemallstarttotheirfeet,andMrs.Umneyfainted.

"Whatamonstrousclimate!" said theAmericanMinister, calmly,ashe lit along cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have notenough decent weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion thatemigrationistheonlythingforEngland."

"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman whofaints?"

"Chargeittoherlikebreakages,"answeredtheMinister;"shewon'tfaintafterthat;"andinafewmomentsMrs.Umneycertainlycameto.Therewasnodoubt,however, that she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis tobewareofsometroublecomingtothehouse.

"Ihaveseen thingswithmyowneyes, sir," shesaid, "thatwouldmakeanyChristian'shairstandonend,andmanyandmanyanightIhavenotclosedmyeyesinsleepfortheawfulthingsthataredonehere."Mr.Otis,however,andhiswifewarmly assured the honest soul that theywere not afraid of ghosts, and,afterinvokingtheblessingsofProvidenceonhernewmasterandmistress,andmakingarrangementsforanincreaseofsalary,theoldhousekeepertotteredofftoherownroom.

II

T he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular noteoccurred.Thenextmorning,however,whentheycamedowntobreakfast,theyfoundtheterriblestainofbloodonceagainonthefloor."Idon'tthinkitcanbethe fault of theParagonDetergent," saidWashington, "for I have tried itwitheverything.Itmustbetheghost."Heaccordinglyrubbedoutthestainasecondtime,but thesecondmorning it appearedagain.The thirdmorningalso itwasthere,thoughthelibraryhadbeenlockedupatnightbyMr.Otishimself,andthekey carried up-stairs. The whole family were now quite interested; Mr. Otisbegantosuspectthathehadbeentoodogmaticinhisdenialoftheexistenceofghosts,Mrs.Otis expressedher intentionof joining thePsychicalSociety, andWashingtonpreparedalonglettertoMessrs.MyersandPodmoreonthesubjectof the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. Thatnightalldoubtsabouttheobjectiveexistenceofphantasmatawereremovedforever.

Thedayhadbeenwarmandsunny;and,inthecooloftheevening,thewholefamilywentouttodrive.Theydidnotreturnhometillnineo'clock,whentheyhadalightsupper.Theconversationinnowayturneduponghosts,sotherewerenot even those primary conditions of receptive expectations which so oftenprecede thepresentationof psychical phenomena.The subjects discussed, as Ihave since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely such as form the ordinaryconversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as the immensesuperiority ofMiss FannyDevonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; thedifficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in thebestEnglishhouses;theimportanceofBostoninthedevelopmentoftheworld-soul;theadvantagesofthebaggage-checksysteminrailwaytravelling;andthesweetness of the New York accent as compared to the London drawl. Nomentionatallwasmadeof thesupernatural,norwasSirSimondeCantervillealludedtoinanyway.Ateleveno'clockthefamilyretired,andbyhalf-pastallthelightswereout.Sometimeafter,Mr.Otiswasawakenedbyacuriousnoiseinthecorridor,outsidehisroom.Itsoundedliketheclankofmetal,andseemedto be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a match, and

lookedat the time. Itwasexactlyoneo'clock.Hewasquitecalm,and felthispulse,whichwasnotatallfeverish.Thestrangenoisestillcontinued,andwithithehearddistinctly thesoundof footsteps.Heputonhisslippers, tookasmalloblongphialoutofhisdressing-case,andopenedthedoor.Rightinfrontofhimhesaw,inthewanmoonlight,anoldmanofterribleaspect.Hiseyeswereasredburning coals; long grey hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; hisgarments,whichwereofantiquecut,weresoiledandragged,andfromhiswristsandankleshungheavymanaclesandrustygyves.

"Mydearsir,"saidMr.Otis,"Ireallymustinsistonyouroilingthosechains,andhavebroughtyouforthatpurposeasmallbottleoftheTammanyRisingSunLubricator.Itissaidtobecompletelyefficaciousupononeapplication,andthereare several testimonials to that effect on the wrapper from some of ourmosteminentnativedivines.Ishallleaveithereforyoubythebedroomcandles,andwillbehappytosupplyyouwithmore,shouldyourequireit."WiththesewordstheUnitedStatesMinister laid thebottledownonamarble table,and,closinghisdoor,retiredtorest.

"IREALLYMUSTINSISTONYOUROILINGTHOSECHAINS""IREALLYMUSTINSISTONYOUROILINGTHOSECHAINS"

For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in naturalindignation; then, dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fleddown the corridor, uttering hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light.Just,however,ashereachedthetopofthegreatoakstaircase,adoorwasflungopen, two littlewhite-robed figures appeared, and a large pillowwhizzedpasthishead!Therewasevidentlynotimetobelost,so,hastilyadoptingtheFourthdimensionofSpaceasameansofescape,hevanishedthroughthewainscoting,andthehousebecamequitequiet.

On reachinga small secretchamber in the leftwing,he leanedupagainstamoonbeamtorecoverhisbreath,andbegantotryandrealizehisposition.Never,in a brilliant and uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been sogrosslyinsulted.HethoughtoftheDowagerDuchess,whomhehadfrightenedinto a fit as she stood before the glass in her lace and diamonds; of the fourhousemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he merely grinned at themthrough thecurtainsononeof thesparebedrooms;of the rectorof theparish,whosecandlehehadblownoutashewascominglateonenightfromthelibrary,andwhohadbeenunderthecareofSirWilliamGulleversince,aperfectmartyrtonervousdisorders;andofoldMadamedeTremouillac,who,havingwakened

up one morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the firereadingherdiary,hadbeenconfinedtoherbedforsixweekswithanattackofbrain fever, and, on her recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, andbrokenoffherconnectionwiththatnotorioussceptic,MonsieurdeVoltaire.Heremembered the terrible night when the wicked Lord Canterville was foundchoking in his dressing-room,with the knave of diamonds half-way down histhroat,andconfessed,justbeforehedied,thathehadcheatedCharlesJamesFoxout of £50,000 at Crockford's bymeans of that very card, and swore that theghosthadmadehimswallow it.All hisgreat achievements cameback tohimagain,fromthebutlerwhohadshothimselfinthepantrybecausehehadseenagreenhandtappingatthewindow-pane,tothebeautifulLadyStutfield,whowasalwaysobligedtowearablackvelvetbandroundherthroattohidethemarkoffive fingersburntuponherwhite skin, andwhodrownedherself at last in thecarp-pond at the end of theKing'sWalk.With the enthusiastic egotismof thetrueartist,hewentoverhismostcelebratedperformances,andsmiledbitterlytohimself as he recalled to mind his last appearance as "Red Reuben, or theStrangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the Blood-sucker of BexleyMoor,"andthefurorehehadexcitedonelovelyJuneeveningbymerelyplayingninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all thissomewretchedmodernAmericansweretocomeandofferhimtheRisingSunLubricator,andthrowpillowsathishead!Itwasquiteunbearable.Besides,noghost in history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, hedeterminedtohavevengeance,andremainedtilldaylightinanattitudeofdeepthought.

III

T henextmorning,whentheOtisfamilymetatbreakfast,theydiscussedthe ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a littleannoyedtofindthathispresenthadnotbeenaccepted."Ihavenowish,"hesaid,"todotheghostanypersonalinjury,andImustsaythat,consideringthelengthoftimehehasbeeninthehouse,Idon'tthinkitisatallpolitetothrowpillowsathim,"—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst intoshoutsoflaughter."Upontheotherhand,"hecontinued,"ifhereallydeclinestouse the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him. Itwould be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside thebedrooms."

Fortherestoftheweek,however,theywereundisturbed,theonlythingthatexcited any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on thelibraryfloor.Thiscertainlywasverystrange,asthedoorwasalwayslockedatnight byMr. Otis, and the windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-likecolour,also,ofthestainexcitedagooddealofcomment.Somemorningsitwasadull (almost Indian) red, then itwouldbevermilion, then a richpurple, andoncewhentheycamedownforfamilyprayers,accordingtothesimpleritesofthe Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they found it a brightemerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party verymuch,andbetsonthesubjectwerefreelymadeeveryevening.Theonlypersonwhodidnotenter into the jokewas littleVirginia,who, for someunexplainedreason,was always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, andverynearlycriedthemorningitwasemerald-green.

Thesecondappearanceof theghostwasonSundaynight.Shortlyafter theyhad gone to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall.Rushing down-stairs, they found that a large suit of old armour had becomedetachedfromitsstand,andhadfallenonthestonefloor,whileseatedinahigh-backedchairwastheCantervilleghost,rubbinghiskneeswithanexpressionofacuteagonyonhisface.Thetwins,havingbroughttheirpea-shooterswiththem,atoncedischargedtwopelletsonhim,withthataccuracyofaimwhichcanonlybe attainedby long and careful practice on awriting-master,while theUnited

States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon him, inaccordancewithCalifornianetiquette,toholduphishands!Theghoststartedupwith awild shriek of rage, and swept through them like amist, extinguishingWashingtonOtis'scandleashepassed,andsoleavingthemallintotaldarkness.Onreachingthetopofthestaircaseherecoveredhimself,anddeterminedtogivehiscelebratedpealofdemoniaclaughter.Thishehadonmorethanoneoccasionfoundextremelyuseful. Itwas said tohave turnedLordRaker'swiggrey inasingle night, and had certainly made three of Lady Canterville's Frenchgovernesses givewarning before theirmonthwas up.He accordingly laughedhismosthorriblelaugh,tilltheoldvaultedroofrangandrangagain,buthardlyhadthefearfulechodiedawaywhenadooropened,andMrs.Otiscameoutinalight blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far fromwell," she said, "andhave brought you a bottle ofDoctorDobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, youwillfinditamostexcellentremedy."Theghostglaredatherinfury,andbeganat once to make preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, anaccomplishment for which he was justly renowned, and to which the familydoctor always attributed the permanent idiocy of LordCanterville's uncle, theHon.ThomasHorton.Thesoundofapproachingfootsteps,however,madehimhesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with becoming faintlyphosphorescent, and vanishedwith a deep churchyard groan, just as the twinshadcomeuptohim.

"THETWINS...ATONCEDISCHARGEDTWOPELLETSONHIM""THETWINS...ATONCEDISCHARGEDTWOPELLETSONHIM"

Onreachinghisroomheentirelybrokedown,andbecameapreytothemostviolentagitation.Thevulgarityof the twins,and thegrossmaterialismofMrs.Otis, were naturally extremely annoying, but what really distressed himmostwas thathehadbeenunable towear the suitofmail.Hehadhoped that evenmodernAmericanswouldbethrilledbythesightofaSpectreinarmour,iffornomoresensiblereason,atleastoutofrespectfortheirnaturalpoetLongfellow,overwhosegracefulandattractivepoetryhehimselfhadwhiledawaymanyawearyhourwhentheCantervilleswereupintown.Besidesitwashisownsuit.Hehadwornitwithgreatsuccessat theKenilworthtournament,andhadbeenhighlycomplimentedonitbynolessapersonthantheVirginQueenherself.Yetwhenhehadputiton,hehadbeencompletelyoverpoweredbytheweightofthehugebreastplateandsteelcasque,andhadfallenheavilyonthestonepavement,barkingbothhiskneesseverely,andbruisingtheknucklesofhisrighthand.

For some days after this hewas extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his

roomatall,excepttokeeptheblood-staininproperrepair.However,bytakinggreat care of himself, he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt tofrighten theUnitedStatesMinister andhis family.He selectedFriday,August17th, for his appearance, and spent most of that day in looking over hiswardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat with a redfeather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger.Towardseveningaviolentstormofraincameon,andthewindwassohighthatallthewindowsanddoorsintheoldhouseshookandrattled.Infact,itwasjustsuchweatherasheloved.Hisplanofactionwasthis.Hewastomakehiswayquietly toWashingtonOtis'sroom,gibberathimfromthefootof thebed,andstab himself three times in the throat to the sound of low music. He boreWashingtona specialgrudge,beingquiteaware that itwashewhowas in thehabit of removing the famousCanterville blood-stain bymeans of Pinkerton'sParagon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy youth to aconditionofabject terror,hewas then toproceed to the roomoccupiedby theUnitedStatesMinisterandhiswife,andtheretoplaceaclammyhandonMrs.Otis's forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awfulsecretsofthecharnel-house.WithregardtolittleVirginia,hehadnotquitemadeuphismind.Shehadneverinsultedhiminanyway,andwasprettyandgentle.A few hollow groans from the wardrobe, he thought, would be more thansufficient,or,ifthatfailedtowakeher,hemightgrabbleatthecounterpanewithpalsy-twitchingfingers.Asforthetwins,hewasquitedeterminedtoteachthemalesson.Thefirstthingtobedonewas,ofcourse,tositupontheirchests,soasto produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their bedswere quiteclose to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-coldcorpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off thewinding-sheet, andcrawl round the room,withwhite,bleachedbonesandonerollingeyeball, in thecharacterof"DumbDaniel,or theSuicide'sSkeleton,"arôle inwhich he had onmore than one occasion produced a great effect, andwhichheconsideredquiteequaltohisfamouspartof"MartintheManiac,ortheMaskedMystery."

"ITSHEADWASBALDANDBURNISHED""ITSHEADWASBALDANDBURNISHED"

At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed. For some time he wasdisturbedbywildshrieksoflaughterfromthetwins,who,withthelight-heartedgaietyofschoolboys,wereevidentlyamusingthemselvesbeforetheyretiredtorest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he

salliedforth.Theowlbeatagainstthewindow-panes,theravencroakedfromtheoldyew-tree,andthewindwanderedmoaningroundthehouselikealostsoul;buttheOtisfamilysleptunconsciousoftheirdoom,andhighabovetherainandstormhecouldhearthesteadysnoringoftheMinisterfortheUnitedStates.Hestepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel,wrinkledmouth,andthemoonhidherfaceinacloudashestolepastthegreatorielwindow,wherehisownarmsandthoseofhismurderedwifewereblazonedinazureandgold.Onandonheglided,likeanevilshadow,theverydarknessseeming to loathehimashepassed.Oncehe thoughtheheardsomethingcall,andstopped;butitwasonlythebayingofadogfromtheRedFarm,andhewenton,muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishingtherustydaggerinthemidnightair.FinallyhereachedthecornerofthepassagethatledtolucklessWashington'sroom.Foramomenthepausedthere,thewindblowing his long grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque andfantastic folds the nameless horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clockstruck thequarter,andhefelt the timewascome.Hechuckled tohimself,andturned the corner; but no sooner had he done so than,with a piteouswail ofterror,hefellback,andhidhisblanchedfaceinhislong,bonyhands.Rightinfrontofhimwasstandingahorriblespectre,motionlessasacarvenimage,andmonstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its faceround, and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed itsfeatures into an eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, themouthwasawidewelloffire,andahideousgarment,liketohisown,swathedwith its silent snows theTitan form.On its breastwas a placardwith strangewriting in antique characters, some scroll of shame it seemed, some record ofwildsins,someawfulcalendarofcrime,and,withitsrighthand,itborealoftafalchionofgleamingsteel.

Neverhaving seen aghost before, henaturallywas terribly frightened, and,after a second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room,trippingupinhis longwinding-sheetashespeddownthecorridor,andfinallydroppingtherustydagger intotheMinister's jack-boots,whereitwasfoundinthemorningby thebutler.Once in theprivacyofhisownapartment,he flunghimselfdownonasmallpallet-bed,andhidhisfaceundertheclothes.Afteratime,however,thebraveoldCantervillespiritasserteditself,andhedeterminedtogoandspeaktotheotherghostassoonasitwasdaylight.Accordingly,justasthedawnwastouchingthehillswithsilver,hereturnedtowardsthespotwherehe had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, twoghostswere better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, hemight safely

grapplewith the twins.On reaching thespot,however,a terrible sightmethisgaze.Somethinghadevidentlyhappenedtothespectre,forthelighthadentirelyfadedfromitsholloweyes,thegleamingfalchionhadfallenfromitshand,anditwas leaning up against the wall in a strained and uncomfortable attitude. Herushedforwardandseizeditinhisarms,when,tohishorror,theheadslippedoffand rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent posture, and he foundhimself clasping awhite dimity bed-curtain,with a sweeping-brush, a kitchencleaver,andahollowturniplyingathisfeet!Unabletounderstandthiscurioustransformation,heclutchedtheplacardwithfeverishhaste,andthere,inthegreymorninglight,hereadthesefearfulwords:—

YEOTISGHOSTE

YeOnlieTrueandOriginaleSpook,BewareofYeImitationes.Allothersarecounterfeite.

Thewholethingflashedacrosshim.Hehadbeentricked,foiled,andout-witted!The old Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gumstogether;and,raisinghiswitheredhandshighabovehishead,sworeaccordingtothepicturesquephraseologyoftheantiqueschool,that,whenChanticleerhadsounded twice hismerry horn, deeds of bloodwould bewrought, andmurderwalkabroadwithsilentfeet.

Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of adistanthomestead,acockcrew.Helaughedalong,low,bitterlaugh,andwaited.Hourafterhourhewaited,butthecock,forsomestrangereason,didnotcrowagain.Finally,athalf-pastseven,thearrivalofthehousemaidsmadehimgiveuphisfearfulvigil,andhestalkedbacktohisroom,thinkingofhisvainoathandbaffledpurpose.Thereheconsultedseveralbooksofancientchivalry,ofwhichhewasexceedinglyfond,andfoundthat,oneveryoccasiononwhichthisoathhadbeenused,Chanticleerhadalwayscroweda second time. "Perdition seizethenaughtyfowl,"hemuttered,"Ihaveseenthedaywhen,withmystoutspear,Iwouldhaverunhimthroughthegorge,andmadehimcrowformean'twereindeath!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed there tillevening.

IV

"HEMETWITHASEVEREFALL""HEMETWITHASEVEREFALL"

T henextdaytheghostwasveryweakandtired.Theterribleexcitementof the last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves werecompletelyshattered,andhestartedattheslightestnoise.Forfivedayshekepthisroom,andatlastmadeuphismindtogiveupthepointoftheblood-stainonthelibraryfloor.IftheOtisfamilydidnotwantit,theyclearlydidnotdeserveit.They were evidently people on a low, material plane of existence, and quiteincapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena. Thequestionofphantasmicapparitions,andthedevelopmentofastralbodies,wasofcoursequiteadifferentmatter,andreallynotunderhiscontrol.Itwashissolemnduty to appear in the corridor once aweek, and togibber from the largeorielwindowon the first and thirdWednesdays ineverymonth, andhedidnot seehowhecouldhonourablyescapefromhisobligations.Itisquitetruethathislifehadbeenveryevil,but,upon theotherhand,hewasmostconscientious inallthings connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays,accordingly, he traversed the corridor as usual between midnight and threeo'clock,takingeverypossibleprecautionagainstbeingeitherheardorseen.Heremoved his boots, trod as lightly as possible on the old worm-eaten boards,worealargeblackvelvetcloak,andwascarefultousetheRisingSunLubricatorforoilinghischains.Iamboundtoacknowledgethatitwaswithagooddealofdifficultythathebroughthimselftoadoptthislastmodeofprotection.However,onenight,while the familywereatdinner,heslipped intoMr.Otis'sbedroomandcarriedoffthebottle.Hefeltalittlehumiliatedatfirst,butafterwardswassensibleenough tosee that therewasagreatdeal tobesaid for the invention,and,toacertaindegree,itservedhispurpose.Stillinspiteofeverythinghewasnotleftunmolested.Stringswerecontinuallybeingstretchedacrossthecorridor,overwhichhe tripped in thedark, andononeoccasion,whiledressed for thepartof"BlackIsaac,ortheHuntsmanofHogleyWoods,"hemetwithaseverefall,throughtreadingonabutter-slide,whichthetwinshadconstructedfromtheentranceoftheTapestryChambertothetopoftheoakstaircase.Thislastinsultsoenragedhim,thatheresolvedtomakeonefinalefforttoasserthisdignityand

social position, and determined to visit the insolent young Etonians the nextnightinhiscelebratedcharacterof"RecklessRupert,ortheHeadlessEarl."

"AHEAVYJUGOFWATERFELLRIGHTDOWNONHIM.""AHEAVYJUGOFWATERFELLRIGHTDOWNONHIM."

Hehadnotappearedinthisdisguiseformorethanseventyyears;infact,notsincehehadsofrightenedprettyLadyBarbaraModishbymeansofit,thatshesuddenly broke off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville'sgrandfather, and ran away to Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown,declaringthatnothingintheworldwouldinducehertomarryintoafamilythatallowed such a horrible phantom towalk up and down the terrace at twilight.Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville onWandsworthCommon, andLadyBarbaradiedof abrokenheart atTunbridgeWellsbeforetheyearwasout,so,ineveryway,ithadbeenagreatsuccess.Itwas,howeveran extremely difficult "make-up," if Imay use such a theatrical expression inconnectionwithoneofthegreatestmysteriesofthesupernatural,or,toemployamorescientificterm,thehigher-naturalworld,andittookhimfullythreehourstomakehispreparations.Atlasteverythingwasready,andhewasverypleasedwithhisappearance.Thebigleatherriding-bootsthatwentwiththedresswerejustalittletoolargeforhim,andhecouldonlyfindoneofthetwohorse-pistols,but,onthewhole,hewasquitesatisfied,andataquarter-pastoneheglidedoutofthewainscotingandcreptdownthecorridor.Onreachingtheroomoccupiedby the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed Chamber, onaccount of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar.Wishing tomakeaneffectiveentrance,heflungitwideopen,whenaheavyjugofwaterfellrightdownonhim,wettinghimtotheskin,andjustmissinghisleftshoulderbya couple of inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughterproceedingfromthefour-postbed.Theshocktohisnervoussystemwassogreatthathefledbacktohisroomashardashecouldgo,andthenextdayhewaslaidupwithaseverecold.Theonlythingthatatallconsoledhiminthewholeaffairwasthefactthathehadnotbroughthisheadwithhim,for,hadhedoneso,theconsequencesmighthavebeenveryserious.

"MAKINGSATIRICALREMARKSONTHEPHOTOGRAPHS""MAKINGSATIRICALREMARKSONTHEPHOTOGRAPHS"

HenowgaveupallhopeofeverfrighteningthisrudeAmericanfamily,andcontented himself, as a rule,with creeping about the passages in list slippers,with a thick red muffler round his throat for fear of draughts, and a smallarquebuse, in case he should be attacked by the twins. The final blow he

received occurred on the 19th of September. He had gone down-stairs to thegreat entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he would be quiteunmolested,andwasamusinghimselfbymakingsatiricalremarksonthelargeSaroniphotographsof theUnitedStatesMinister andhiswifewhichhadnowtakentheplaceoftheCantervillefamilypictures.Hewassimplybutneatlycladinalongshroud,spottedwithchurchyardmould,hadtieduphisjawwithastripofyellowlinen,andcarriedasmalllanternandasexton'sspade.Infact,hewasdressed for the character of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher ofChertseyBarn,"oneofhismostremarkableimpersonations,andonewhichtheCantervilles had every reason to remember, as it was the real origin of theirquarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It was about a quarter-past twoo'clockinthemorning,and,asfarashecouldascertain,noonewasstirring.Ashewasstrollingtowardsthelibrary,however,toseeiftherewereanytracesleftof the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner twofigures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out"BOO!"inhisear.

"SUDDENLYTHERELEAPEDOUTTWOFIGURES.""SUDDENLYTHERELEAPEDOUTTWOFIGURES."

Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, herushedfor thestaircase,but foundWashingtonOtiswaitingforhimtherewiththebiggarden-syringe,andbeingthushemmedinbyhisenemiesoneveryside,and driven almost to bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which,fortunatelyforhim,wasnotlit,andhadtomakehiswayhomethroughthefluesandchimneys,arrivingathisownroominaterriblestateofdirt,disorder,anddespair.

Afterthishewasnotseenagainonanynocturnalexpedition.Thetwinslayinwaitforhimonseveraloccasions,andstrewedthepassageswithnutshellseverynight to thegreatannoyanceof theirparentsand theservants,but itwasofnoavail.Itwasquiteevidentthathisfeelingsweresowoundedthathewouldnotappear. Mr. Otis consequently resumed his great work on the history of theDemocratic Party, on which he had been engaged for some years; Mrs. Otisorganized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the whole county; the boystooktolacrosseeuchre,poker,andotherAmericannationalgames,andVirginiarodeaboutthelanesonherpony,accompaniedbytheyoungDukeofCheshire,whohadcometospendthelastweekofhisholidaysatCantervilleChase.Itwasgenerallyassumedthat theghosthadgoneaway,and, infact,Mr.Otiswrotealetter to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great

pleasureat thenews,andsenthisbestcongratulations to theMinister'sworthywife.

TheOtises,however,weredeceived,fortheghostwasstillinthehouse,andthough now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest,particularlyasheheardthatamongtheguestswastheyoungDukeofCheshire,whosegrand-uncle,LordFrancisStilton,hadoncebet ahundredguineaswithColonel Carbury that hewould play dicewith the Canterville ghost, andwasfound thenextmorning lyingon the floorof thecard-room in suchahelplessparalyticstatethat, thoughhelivedontoagreatage,hewasneverabletosayanything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the time,though,ofcourse,outofrespecttothefeelingsofthetwonoblefamilies,everyattempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstancesconnectedwithitwillbefoundinthethirdvolumeofLordTattle'sRecollectionsof the Prince Regent and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally veryanxioustoshowthathehadnotlosthisinfluenceovertheStiltons,withwhom,indeed,hewasdistantlyconnected,hisownfirstcousinhavingbeenmarriedensecondesnoces to theSieurdeBulkeley, fromwhom,aseveryoneknows, theDukesofCheshireare lineallydescended.Accordingly,hemadearrangementsfor appearing toVirginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "TheVampireMonk, or theBloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible thatwhenoldLadyStartupsawit,whichshedidononefatalNewYear'sEve,intheyear 1764, she went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated inviolentapoplexy,anddiedinthreedays,afterdisinheritingtheCantervilles,whowerehernearestrelations,andleavingallhermoneytoherLondonapothecary.At the lastmoment, however, his terror of the twinspreventedhis leavinghisroom,andthelittleDukesleptinpeaceunderthegreatfeatheredcanopyintheRoyalBedchamber,anddreamedofVirginia.

V

A few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went outriding on Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in gettingthroughahedgethat,ontheirreturnhome,shemadeuphermindtogoupbytheback staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the TapestryChamber,thedoorofwhichhappenedtobeopen,shefanciedshesawsomeoneinside,andthinkingitwashermother'smaid,whosometimesusedtobringherwork there, looked in to ask her tomend her habit. To her immense surprise,however, itwas theCantervilleGhost himself!Hewas sittingby thewindow,watchingtheruinedgoldoftheyellowingtreesflythroughtheair,andtheredleavesdancingmadlydownthelongavenue.Hisheadwasleaningonhishand,andhiswholeattitudewasoneofextremedepression.Indeed,soforlorn,andsomuchoutofrepairdidhelook,thatlittleVirginia,whosefirstideahadbeentorunawayandlockherselfinherroom,wasfilledwithpity,anddeterminedtotryandcomforthim.Solightwasherfootfall,andsodeephismelancholy,thathewasnotawareofherpresencetillshespoketohim.

"Iamsosorryforyou,"shesaid,"butmybrothersaregoingbacktoEtonto-morrow,andthen,ifyoubehaveyourself,noonewillannoyyou."

"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round inastonishment at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quiteabsurd.Imustrattlemychains,andgroanthroughkeyholes,andwalkaboutatnight,ifthatiswhatyoumean.Itismyonlyreasonforexisting."

"Itisnoreasonatallforexisting,andyouknowyouhavebeenverywicked.Mrs.Umneytoldus,thefirstdaywearrivedhere,thatyouhadkilledyourwife."

"Well,Iquiteadmitit,"saidtheGhost,petulantly,"butitwasapurelyfamilymatter,andconcernednooneelse."

"It is verywrong to kill any one," saidVirginia,who at times had a sweetpuritangravity,caughtfromsomeoldNewEnglandancestor.

"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics!My wife was very plain,

never hadmy ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery.Why,therewasabuckIhadshotinHogleyWoods,amagnificentpricket,anddoyouknowhowshehaditsenttotable?However,itisnomatternow,foritisallover,andIdon'tthinkitwasveryniceofherbrotherstostarvemetodeath,thoughIdidkillher."

"Starveyoutodeath?Oh,Mr.Ghost—ImeanSirSimon,areyouhungry?Ihaveasandwichinmycase.Wouldyoulikeit?"

"No, thankyou, Inevereatanythingnow;but it isverykindofyou,all thesame,andyouaremuchnicerthantherestofyourhorrid,rude,vulgar,dishonestfamily."

"Stop!"criedVirginia,stampingherfoot,"itisyouwhoarerude,andhorrid,andvulgar,andasfordishonesty,youknowyoustolethepaintsoutofmyboxtotryandfurbishupthatridiculousblood-staininthelibrary.Firstyoutookallmyreds,includingthevermilion,andIcouldn'tdoanymoresunsets,thenyoutookthe emerald-green and the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left butindigo and Chinese white, and could only do moonlight scenes, which arealwaysdepressing to lookat, andnotat all easy topaint. Inever toldonyou,thoughIwasverymuchannoyed,anditwasmostridiculous, thewhole thing;forwhoeverheardofemerald-greenblood?"

"Well, really,"said theGhost, rathermeekly,"whatwasI todo?It isaverydifficultthingtogetrealbloodnowadays,and,asyourbrotherbeganitallwithhis ParagonDetergent, I certainly saw no reasonwhy I should not have yourpaints.Asforcolour,thatisalwaysamatteroftaste:theCantervilleshaveblueblood,forinstance,theverybluestinEngland;butIknowyouAmericansdon'tcareforthingsofthiskind."

"Youknownothingaboutit,andthebestthingyoucandoistoemigrateandimproveyourmind.Myfatherwillbeonlytoohappytogiveyouafreepassage,and though there is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be nodifficulty about theCustomHouse, as the officers are allDemocrats.Once inNewYork,youaresuretobeagreatsuccess.Iknowlotsofpeopletherewhowould give a hundred thousanddollars to have a grandfather, andmuchmorethanthattohaveafamilyghost."

"Idon'tthinkIshouldlikeAmerica."

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

satirically.

"Noruins!nocuriosities!"answeredtheGhost;"youhaveyournavyandyourmanners."

"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week'sholiday."

"Pleasedon'tgo,MissVirginia,"hecried;"Iamsolonelyandsounhappy,andIreallydon'tknowwhattodo.IwanttogotosleepandIcannot."

"That'squiteabsurd!Youhavemerelytogotobedandblowoutthecandle.Itisverydifficultsometimestokeepawake,especiallyatchurch,but there isnodifficultyatallaboutsleeping.Why,evenbabiesknowhowtodothat,andtheyarenotveryclever."

"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia'sbeautifulblueeyesopenedinwonder;"forthreehundredyearsIhavenotslept,andIamsotired."

Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. Shecame towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his oldwitheredface.

"Poor,poorGhost,"shemurmured;"haveyounoplacewhereyoucansleep?"

"'POOR,POORGHOST,'SHEMURMURED;'HAVEYOUNOPLACEWHEREYOUCANSLEEP?'"

"'POOR,POORGHOST,'SHEMURMURED;'HAVEYOUNOPLACEWHEREYOUCANSLEEP?'"

"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice,"thereisalittlegarden.Therethegrassgrowslonganddeep,therearethegreatwhitestarsofthehemlockflower,therethenightingalesingsallnightlong.Allnight long he sings, and the cold crystalmoon looks down, and the yew-treespreadsoutitsgiantarmsoverthesleepers."

Virginia'seyesgrewdimwithtears,andshehidherfaceinherhands.

"YoumeantheGardenofDeath,"shewhispered.

"Yes,death.Deathmustbesobeautiful.To lie in thesoftbrownearth,withthegrasseswavingaboveone'shead,andlistentosilence.Tohavenoyesterday,andnoto-morrow.Toforgettime,toforgetlife,tobeatpeace.Youcanhelpme.Youcanopenformetheportalsofdeath'shouse, for love isalwayswithyou,andloveisstrongerthandeathis."

Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a fewmomentstherewassilence.Shefeltasifshewasinaterribledream.

Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of thewind.

"Haveyoueverreadtheoldprophecyonthelibrarywindow?"

"Oh,often,"criedthelittlegirl,lookingup;"Iknowitquitewell.Itispaintedincuriousblackletters,andisdifficulttoread.Thereareonlysixlines:

"'WhenagoldengirlcanwinPrayerfromoutthelipsofsin,Whenthebarrenalmondbears,Andalittlechildgivesawayitstears,ThenshallallthehousebestillAndpeacecometoCanterville.'

ButIdon'tknowwhattheymean."

"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins,becauseIhavenotears,andpraywithmeformysoul,becauseIhavenofaith,

and then, if you have always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel ofdeath will have mercy on me. You will see fearful shapes in darkness, andwickedvoiceswillwhisperinyourear,buttheywillnotharmyou,foragainstthepurityofalittlechildthepowersofHellcannotprevail."

Virginiamadenoanswer,andtheghostwrunghishandsinwilddespairashelookeddownatherbowedgoldenhead.Suddenlyshestoodup,verypale,andwithastrangelightinhereyes."Iamnotafraid,"shesaidfirmly,"andIwillasktheangeltohavemercyonyou."

Herosefromhisseatwithafaintcryofjoy,andtakingherhandbentoveritwithold-fashionedgraceandkissedit.Hisfingerswereascoldasice,andhislipsburned like fire,butVirginiadidnot falter,ashe ledheracross theduskyroom.On the faded green tapestrywere broidered little huntsmen. They blewtheir tasselled horns and with their tiny hands waved to her to go back. "Goback! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the ghost clutched her handmore tightly, and she shut her eyes against them.Horrible animalswith lizardtails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, andmurmured,"Beware! littleVirginia,beware!wemayneverseeyouagain,"buttheGhostglidedonmoreswiftly,andVirginiadidnotlisten.Whentheyreachedthe end of the room he stopped, and muttered some words she could notunderstand. She opened her eyes, and saw thewall slowly fading away like amist, and agreat black cavern in front of her.Abitter coldwind swept roundthem, and she felt something pulling at her dress. "Quick, quick," cried theGhost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting had closedbehindthem,andtheTapestryChamberwasempty.

"THEGHOSTGLIDEDONMORESWIFTLY""THEGHOSTGLIDEDONMORESWIFTLY"

VI

A bout tenminutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, asVirginia did notcomedown,Mrs.Otissentuponeofthefootmentotellher.AfteralittletimehereturnedandsaidthathecouldnotfindMissVirginiaanywhere.Asshewasinthehabitofgoingouttothegardeneveryeveningtogetflowersforthedinner-table,Mrs.Otiswasnotatallalarmedatfirst,butwhensixo'clockstruck,andVirginiadidnotappear,shebecamereallyagitated,andsenttheboysouttolookforher,whilesheherselfandMr.Otissearchedeveryroominthehouse.Athalf-pastsixtheboyscamebackandsaidthattheycouldfindnotraceoftheirsisteranywhere. Theywere all now in the greatest state of excitement, and did notknow what to do, whenMr. Otis suddenly remembered that, some few daysbefore, he had given a band of gipsies permission to camp in the park. Heaccordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew they were,accompaniedbyhiseldestsonandtwoofthefarm-servants.ThelittleDukeofCheshire,whowasperfectlyfranticwithanxiety,beggedhardtobeallowedtogo too, butMr.Otiswould not allow him, as hewas afraid theremight be ascuffle.Onarrivingatthespot,however,hefoundthatthegipsieshadgone,anditwasevident that theirdeparturehadbeen rather sudden, as the firewas stillburning,andsomeplateswere lyingon thegrass.HavingsentoffWashingtonandthetwomentoscourthedistrict,heranhome,anddespatchedtelegramstoall the police inspectors in the county, telling them to lookout for a little girlwhohadbeenkidnappedbytrampsorgipsies.Hethenorderedhishorsetobebroughtround,and,afterinsistingonhiswifeandthethreeboyssittingdowntodinner, rode off down theAscot roadwith a groom.He had hardly, however,gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and,looking round, saw the littleDuke coming up on his pony,with his face veryflushed,andnohat."I'mawfullysorry,Mr.Otis,"gaspedouttheboy,"butIcan'teatanydinneraslongasVirginiaislost.Pleasedon'tbeangrywithme;ifyouhadletusbeengagedlastyear,therewouldneverhavebeenallthistrouble.Youwon'tsendmeback,willyou?Ican'tgo!Iwon'tgo!"

"HEHEARDSOMEBODYGALLOPINGAFTERHIM""HEHEARDSOMEBODYGALLOPINGAFTERHIM"

TheMinistercouldnothelpsmilingat thehandsomeyoungscapegrace,andwasagooddeal touchedathisdevotiontoVirginia,so leaningdownfromhishorse,hepattedhimkindlyontheshoulders,andsaid,"Well,Cecil,ifyouwon'tgoback,Isupposeyoumustcomewithme,butImustgetyouahatatAscot."

"OUTONTHELANDINGSTEPPEDVIRGINIA""OUTONTHELANDINGSTEPPEDVIRGINIA"

"Oh,bothermyhat!IwantVirginia!"criedthelittleDuke,laughing,andtheygallopedontotherailwaystation.ThereMr.Otisinquiredofthestation-masterif any one answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on theplatform,butcouldgetnonewsofher.The station-master,however,wiredupanddowntheline,andassuredhimthatastrictwatchwouldbekeptforher,and,afterhavingboughtahat for the littleDukefroma linen-draper,whowas justputtinguphis shutters,Mr.Otis rodeoff toBexley, avillageabout fourmilesaway,whichhewastoldwasawell-knownhauntofthegipsies,astherewasalargecommonnexttoit.Heretheyrouseduptheruralpoliceman,butcouldgetnoinformationfromhim,and,afterridingalloverthecommon,theyturnedtheirhorses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tiredandalmostheart-broken.TheyfoundWashingtonandthetwinswaitingforthem at the gate-house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not theslightesttraceofVirginiahadbeendiscovered.ThegipsieshadbeencaughtonBrockleymeadows, but she was not with them, and they had explained theirsuddendeparturebysayingthattheyhadmistakenthedateofChortonFair,andhadgoneoffinahurryforfeartheyshouldbelate.Indeed,theyhadbeenquitedistressed at hearingofVirginia's disappearance, as theywereverygrateful toMr.Otisforhavingallowedthemtocampinhispark,andfouroftheirnumberhadstayedbehind tohelp in thesearch.Thecarp-pondhadbeendragged,andthewholeChase thoroughly gone over, butwithout any result. Itwas evidentthat,forthatnightatanyrate,Virginiawaslosttothem;anditwasinastateofthedeepestdepression thatMr.Otis and theboyswalkedup to thehouse, thegroomfollowingbehindwiththetwohorsesandthepony.Inthehalltheyfoundagroupoffrightenedservants,andlyingonasofainthelibrarywaspoorMrs.Otis, almost out of hermindwith terror and anxiety, and having her foreheadbathedwitheaudecolognebytheoldhousekeeper.Mr.Otisatonceinsistedonherhavingsomethingtoeat,andorderedupsupperforthewholeparty.Itwasamelancholymeal,ashardlyanyonespoke,andeventhetwinswereawestruckandsubdued,astheywereveryfondoftheirsister.Whentheyhadfinished,Mr.Otis,inspiteoftheentreatiesofthelittleDuke,orderedthemalltobed,saying

thatnothingmorecouldbedone thatnight,and thathewould telegraphin themorningtoScotlandYardforsomedetectivestobesentdownimmediately.Justastheywerepassingoutofthedining-room,midnightbegantoboomfromtheclocktower,andwhenthelaststrokesoundedtheyheardacrashandasuddenshrillcry;adreadfulpealofthundershookthehouse,astrainofunearthlymusicfloatedthroughtheair,apanelatthetopofthestaircaseflewbackwithaloudnoise,andoutonthelanding,lookingverypaleandwhite,withalittlecasketinherhand,steppedVirginia.Inamomenttheyhadallrusheduptoher.Mrs.Otisclaspedherpassionatelyinherarms,theDukesmotheredherwithviolentkisses,andthetwinsexecutedawildwar-danceroundthegroup.

"Goodheavens! child,where have you been?" saidMr.Otis, rather angrily,thinkingthatshehadbeenplayingsomefoolishtrickonthem."CecilandIhavebeen riding all over the country looking for you, and your mother has beenfrightenedtodeath.Youmustneverplaythesepracticaljokesanymore."

"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as theycaperedabout.

"Myowndarling, thankGodyou are found; youmust never leavemy sideagain,"murmuredMrs.Otis,asshekissedthetremblingchild,andsmoothedthetangledgoldofherhair.

"Papa," saidVirginia, quietly, "I havebeenwith theGhost.He is dead, andyoumustcomeandseehim.Hehadbeenverywicked,buthewasreallysorryforall thathehaddone,andhegavemethisboxofbeautifuljewelsbeforehedied."

Thewhole familygazedather inmuteamazement,butshewasquitegraveand serious; and, turning round, she led them through the opening in thewainscotingdownanarrowsecretcorridor,Washingtonfollowingwithalightedcandle,whichhehadcaughtupfromthetable.Finally,theycametoagreatoakdoor, studdedwith rustynails.WhenVirginia touched it, it swungbackon itsheavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low room,with a vaultedceiling,andonetinygratedwindow.Imbeddedinthewallwasahugeironring,andchainedtoitwasagauntskeleton,thatwasstretchedoutatfulllengthonthestone floor, andseemed tobe trying tograspwith its long fleshless fingersanold-fashionedtrencherandewer,thatwereplacedjustoutofitsreach.Thejughadevidentlybeenonce filledwithwater, as itwascovered insidewithgreenmould.Therewasnothingonthetrencherbutapileofdust.Virginiakneltdown

besidetheskeleton,and,foldingherlittlehandstogether,begantopraysilently,while the rest of the party looked on inwonder at the terrible tragedywhosesecretwasnowdisclosedtothem.

"CHAINEDTOITWASAGAUNTSKELETON""CHAINEDTOITWASAGAUNTSKELETON"

"Hallo!"suddenlyexclaimedoneof the twins,whohadbeen lookingoutofthewindowtotryanddiscoverinwhatwingofthehousetheroomwassituated."Hallo!theoldwitheredalmond-treehasblossomed.Icanseetheflowersquiteplainlyinthemoonlight."

"Godhasforgivenhim,"saidVirginia,gravely,assherosetoherfeet,andabeautifullightseemedtoillumineherface.

"Whatanangelyouare!"criedtheyoungDuke,andheputhisarmroundherneck,andkissedher.

VII

"BYTHESIDEOFTHEHEARSEANDTHECOACHESWALKEDTHESERVANTSWITHLIGHTEDTORCHES"

"BYTHESIDEOFTHEHEARSEANDTHECOACHESWALKEDTHESERVANTSWITHLIGHTEDTORCHES"

F ourdaysafterthesecuriousincidents,afuneralstartedfromCantervilleChase at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearsewas drawn by eight blackhorses,eachofwhichcarriedonitsheadagreattuftofnoddingostrich-plumes,and the leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which wasembroideredingoldtheCantervillecoat-of-arms.Bythesideofthehearseandthecoacheswalkedtheservantswithlightedtorches,andthewholeprocessionwas wonderfully impressive. Lord Canterville was the chief mourner, havingcomeupspeciallyfromWalestoattendthefuneral,andsatinthefirstcarriagealongwith littleVirginia. Then came theUnited StatesMinister and hiswife,thenWashingtonandthethreeboys,andinthelastcarriagewasMrs.Umney.Itwasgenerally felt that, as shehadbeen frightenedby theghost formore thanfiftyyearsofher life, shehada right tosee the lastofhim.Adeepgravehadbeendug in thecornerof thechurchyard, justunder theoldyew-tree, and theservicewasreadinthemostimpressivemannerbytheRev.AugustusDampier.Whentheceremonywasover,theservants,accordingtoanoldcustomobservedintheCantervillefamily,extinguishedtheirtorches,and,asthecoffinwasbeinglowered into the grave, Virginia stepped forward, and laid on it a large crossmade ofwhite and pink almond-blossoms.As she did so, themoon came outfrombehindacloud,andfloodedwithitssilentsilverthelittlechurchyard,andfrom a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of the ghost'sdescription of theGarden ofDeath, her eyes became dimwith tears, and shehardlyspokeawordduringthedrivehome.

"THEMOONCAMEOUTFROMBEHINDACLOUD""THEMOONCAMEOUTFROMBEHINDACLOUD"

Thenextmorning,beforeLordCantervillewentuptotown,Mr.OtishadaninterviewwithhimonthesubjectofthejewelstheghosthadgiventoVirginia.They were perfectly magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old

Venetiansetting,whichwasreallyasuperbspecimenofsixteenth-centurywork,and their value was so great that Mr. Otis felt considerable scruples aboutallowinghisdaughtertoacceptthem.

"Mylord,"hesaid,"Iknowthatinthiscountrymortmainisheldtoapplytotrinkets aswell as to land, and it is quite clear tome that these jewels are, orshouldbe,heirloomsinyourfamily.Imustbegyou,accordingly,totakethemtoLondonwithyou,andtoregardthemsimplyasaportionofyourpropertywhichhasbeenrestored toyouundercertainstrangeconditions.Asformydaughter,sheismerelyachild,andhasasyet,Iamgladtosay,butlittleinterestinsuchappurtenancesofidleluxury.IamalsoinformedbyMrs.Otis,who,Imaysay,isno mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of spending severalwintersinBostonwhenshewasagirl,—thatthesegemsareofgreatmonetaryworth,andifofferedforsalewouldfetchatallprice.Underthesecircumstances,LordCanterville,Ifeelsurethatyouwillrecognizehowimpossibleitwouldbeformetoallowthemtoremaininthepossessionofanymemberofmyfamily;and,indeed,allsuchvaingaudsandtoys,howeversuitableornecessarytothedignityoftheBritisharistocracy,wouldbecompletelyoutofplaceamongthosewhohavebeenbroughtupon thesevere,andIbelieve immortal,principlesofRepublican simplicity. Perhaps I shouldmention thatVirginia is very anxiousthatyoushouldallowhertoretainthebox,asamementoofyourunfortunatebutmisguidedancestor.Asitisextremelyold,andconsequentlyagooddealoutofrepair,youmayperhapsthinkfittocomplywithherrequest.Formyownpart,IconfessIamagooddealsurprisedtofindachildofmineexpressingsympathywith mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the fact thatVirginiawas born in one of your London suburbs shortly afterMrs.Otis hadreturnedfromatriptoAthens."

LordCantervillelistenedverygravelytotheworthyMinister'sspeech,pullinghis greymoustachenowand then to hide an involuntary smile, andwhenMr.Otishadended,heshookhimcordiallybythehand,andsaid:"Mydearsir,yourcharming little daughter rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a veryimportant service, and I and my family are much indebted to her for hermarvellouscourageandpluck.Thejewelsareclearlyhers,and,egad,Ibelievethat if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the wicked old fellowwouldbeoutofhisgrave ina fortnight, leadingme thedevilofa life.As fortheirbeingheirlooms,nothingisanheirloomthatisnotsomentionedinawillorlegal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. Iassure you I have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss

Virginiagrowsup,Idaresayshewillbepleasedtohaveprettythingstowear.Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that you took the furniture and the ghost at avaluation, and anything that belonged to the ghost passed at once into yourpossession,as,whateveractivitySirSimonmayhaveshown in thecorridoratnight, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property bypurchase."

Mr.OtiswasagooddealdistressedatLordCanterville'srefusal,andbeggedhim to reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peerwas quite firm, andfinallyinducedtheMinistertoallowhisdaughtertoretainthepresenttheghosthadgivenher,andwhen,inthespringof1890,theyoungDuchessofCheshirewaspresentedattheQueen'sfirstdrawing-roomontheoccasionofhermarriage,her jewels were the universal theme of admiration. For Virginia received thecoronet,whichistherewardofallgoodlittleAmericangirls,andwasmarriedtoherboy-loverassoonashecameofage.Theywerebothsocharming,andtheylovedeachothersomuch,thateveryonewasdelightedatthematch,excepttheoldMarchionessofDumbleton,whohadtriedtocatchtheDukeforoneofhersevenunmarrieddaughters,andhadgivennoless thanthreeexpensivedinner-parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis wasextremelyfondof theyoungDukepersonally,but, theoretically,heobjectedtotitles,and, tousehisownwords,"wasnotwithoutapprehensionlest,amidtheenervating influences of a pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles ofRepublican simplicity should be forgotten." His objections, however, werecompletely overruled, and I believe that when he walked up the aisle of St.George's,HanoverSquare,withhisdaughterleaningonhisarm,therewasnotaproudermaninthewholelengthandbreadthofEngland.

The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down toCanterville Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in theafternoon to the lonelychurchyardby thepine-woods.Therehadbeenagreatdeal of difficulty at first about the inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, butfinally it had been decided to engrave on it simply the initials of the oldgentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The Duchess hadbroughtwithhersomelovelyroses,whichshestreweduponthegrave,andaftertheyhadstoodbyitforsometimetheystrolledintotheruinedchanceloftheoldabbey.There theDuchesssatdownonafallenpillar,whileherhusbandlayather feet smokingacigaretteand lookingupatherbeautifuleyes.Suddenlyhethrewhiscigaretteaway,tookholdofherhand,andsaidtoher,"Virginia,awifeshouldhavenosecretsfromherhusband."

"DearCecil!Ihavenosecretsfromyou."

"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me whathappenedtoyouwhenyouwerelockedupwiththeghost."

"Ihavenevertoldanyone,Cecil,"saidVirginia,gravely.

"Iknowthat,butyoumighttellme."

"Pleasedon't askme,Cecil, I cannot tellyou.PoorSirSimon! Iowehimagreatdeal.Yes,don'tlaugh,Cecil,Ireallydo.HemademeseewhatLifeis,andwhatDeathsignifies,andwhyLoveisstrongerthanboth."

TheDukeroseandkissedhiswifelovingly.

"YoucanhaveyoursecretaslongasIhaveyourheart,"hemurmured.

"Youhavealwayshadthat,Cecil."

"Andyouwilltellourchildrensomeday,won'tyou?"

Virginiablushed.

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The Canterville GhostByWILDEIllustrated by WALLACE GOLDSMITH1906

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