So it came to pass, that one evening the old hero had fallen asleep, having, yet ere his eyes were closed, rejoiced himself in thoughts of the many pleasant and heart-enlivening sights which he might ere long behold; but it fell out very differently from his expectations. Ere long he imagined that he heard a stranger coming stamping up stairs, with footsteps so heavy, and with armour rattling in such manner, that the very panes of glass in the windows rung in answer to the sounds. Thereafter he thought that three vehement knocks fell at measured intervals on the oak-door of the hall, as if given by the iron-gloved hand of a knight fully accoutred. The dreaming man wished to call aloud that the stranger should enter, but could not at first utter one word. At length he believed that he had spoken, and thereupon he heard the door open, grating harshly on its hinges; and, lo! there appeared in the room, with bloody and frightfully-distorted visage, that renowned forerunner of evil,--the Avenger,--with his tall vulture’s wings on his head, who stretched out his clenched hand, dropping with gore, in threatening and spectral dignity!--Shuddering with horror, the old knight started up, and scarcely had he begun to comfort himself with the reflection, that he had but dreamed,--when he heard, with all his senses fully awakened, the heavy steps on the staircase; whereat the windows indeed rattled; and thereafter came the three knocks at the hall-door, till at length the brave old man, unable to contend with this supernatural visitation, lost all recollection, and fell back in a deep swoon.