第1章

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。