'My children,' said she, 'I will not attempt to persuade you that the

existence of such spirits is impossible. Who shall say that any thing

is impossible to God? We know that he has made us, who are embodied

spirits; he, therefore, can make unembodied spirits. If we cannot

understand how such spirits exist, we should consider the limited

powers of our minds, and that we cannot understand many things which

are indisputably true. No one yet knows why the magnetic needle points

to the north; yet you, who have never seen a magnet, do not hesitate

to believe that it has this tendency, because you have been well

assured of it, both from books and in conversation. Since, therefore,

we are sure that nothing is impossible to God, and that such beings

may exist, though we cannot tell how, we ought to consider by what

evidence their existence is supported. I do not say that spirits

have appeared; but if several discreet unprejudiced persons were to

assure me that they had seen one, I should not be proud or bold enough

to reply--'it is impossible.' Let not, however, such considerations

disturb your minds.

I have said thus much, because I was unwilling to

impose upon your understandings; it is now your part to exercise your

reason, and preserve the unmoved confidence of virtue. Such spirits,

if indeed they have ever been seen, can have appeared only by the

express permission of God, and for some very singular purposes; be

assured that there are no beings who act unseen by him; and that,

therefore, there are none from whom innocence can ever suffer harm.'

No further sounds disturbed them for that time; and before the morning

dawned, weariness insensibly overcame apprehension, and sunk them in

repose. When Ferdinand learned the circumstances relative to the southern side

of the castle, his imagination seized with avidity each appearance of

mystery, and inspired him with an irresistible desire to penetrate the

secrets of his desolate part of the fabric. He very readily consented

to watch with his sisters in Julia's apartment; but as his chamber was

in a remote part of the castle, there would be some difficulty in

passing unobserved to her's. It was agreed, however, that when all was

hushed, he should make the attempt. Having thus resolved, Emilia and

Julia waited the return of night with restless and fearful impatience.

At length the family retired to rest. The castle clock had struck one,

and Julia began to fear that Ferdinand had been discovered, when a

knocking was heard at the door of the outer chamber.

Her heart beat with apprehensions, which reason could not justify.

Madame rose, and enquiring who was there, was answered by the voice of

Ferdinand. The door was cheerfully opened. They drew their chairs

round him, and endeavoured to pass the time in conversation; but fear

and expectation attracted all their thoughts to one subject, and

madame alone preserved her composure. The hour was now come when the

sounds had been heard the preceding night, and every ear was given to

attention. All, however, remained quiet, and the night passed without

any new alarm.




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