A Sicilian Romance

The servants, in obedience to the commands of the marquis, assembled

at night in the north hall. The air of desolation which reigned

through the south buildings, and the circumstance of their having been

for so many years shut up, would naturally tend to inspire awe; but to

these people, who firmly believed them to be the haunt of an unquiet

spirit, terror was the predominant sentiment.

The marquis now appeared with the keys of these buildings in his

hands, and every heart thrilled with wild expectation. He ordered

Robert to precede him with a torch, and the rest of the servants

following, he passed on. A pair of iron gates were unlocked, and they

proceeded through a court, whose pavement was wildly overgrown with

long grass, to the great door of the south fabric. Here they met with

some difficulty, for the lock, which had not been turned for many

years, was rusted.

During this interval, the silence of expectation sealed the lips of

all present. At length the lock yielded. That door which had not been

passed for so many years, creaked heavily upon its hinges, and

disclosed the hall of black marble which Ferdinand had formerly

crossed. 'Now,' cried the marquis, in a tone of irony as he entered,

'expect to encounter the ghosts of which you tell me; but if you fail

to conquer them, prepare to quit my service. The people who live with

me shall at least have courage and ability sufficient to defend me

from these spiritual attacks. All I apprehend is, that the enemy will

not appear, and in this case your valour will go untried.'

No one dared to answer, but all followed, in silent fear, the marquis,

who ascended the great stair-case, and entered the gallery. 'Unlock

that door,' said he, pointing to one on the left, 'and we will soon

unhouse these ghosts.' Robert applied the key, but his hand shook so

violently that he could not turn it. 'Here is a fellow,' cried the

marquis, 'fit to encounter a whole legion of spirits. Do you, Anthony,

take the key, and try your valour.'

'Please you, my lord,' replied Anthony, 'I never was a good one at

unlocking a door in my life, but here is Gregory will do it.'--'No, my

lord, an' please you,' said Gregory, 'here is Richard.'--'Stand off,'

said the marquis, 'I will shame your cowardice, and do it myself.'

Saying this he turned the key, and was rushing on, but the door

refused to yield; it shook under his hands, and seemed as if partially

held by some person on the other side. The marquis was surprized, and

made several efforts to move it, without effect. He then ordered his

servants to burst it open, but, shrinking back with one accord, they

cried, 'For God's sake, my lord, go no farther; we are satisfied here

are no ghosts, only let us get back.'