Uneasiness now became despair. I entreated them to renew their search
in the most urgent terms, doubling the promises which I had already
made them. My wild and frantic manner confirmed the bye-standers in the
idea of my being delirious. No signs of the Lady having appeared, they
believed her to be a creature fabricated by my over-heated brain, and
paid no attention to my entreaties. However, the Hostess assured me
that a fresh enquiry should be made, but I found afterwards that her
promise was only given to quiet me. No further steps were taken in the
business.
Though my Baggage was left at Munich under the care of my French
Servant, having prepared myself for a long journey, my purse was amply
furnished: Besides my equipage proved me to be of distinction, and in
consequence all possible attention was paid me at the Inn. The day
passed away: Still no news arrived of Agnes. The anxiety of fear now
gave place to despondency. I ceased to rave about her and was plunged
in the depth of melancholy reflections. Perceiving me to be silent and
tranquil, my Attendants believed my delirium to have abated, and that
my malady had taken a favourable turn. According to the Physician’s
order I swallowed a composing medicine; and as soon as the night shut
in, my attendants withdrew and left me to repose.
That repose I wooed in vain. The agitation of my bosom chased away
sleep. Restless in my mind, in spite of the fatigue of my body, I
continued to toss about from side to side, till the Clock in a
neighbouring Steeple struck “One.” As I listened to the mournful hollow
sound, and heard it die away in the wind, I felt a sudden chillness
spread itself over my body. I shuddered without knowing wherefore; Cold
dews poured down my forehead, and my hair stood bristling with alarm.
Suddenly I heard slow and heavy steps ascending the staircase. By an
involuntary movement I started up in my bed, and drew back the curtain.
A single rush-light which glimmered upon the hearth shed a faint gleam
through the apartment, which was hung with tapestry. The door was
thrown open with violence. A figure entered, and drew near my Bed with
solemn measured steps. With trembling apprehension I examined this
midnight Visitor. God Almighty! It was the Bleeding Nun! It was my lost
Companion! Her face was still veiled, but She no longer held her Lamp
and dagger. She lifted up her veil slowly. What a sight presented
itself to my startled eyes! I beheld before me an animated Corse. Her
countenance was long and haggard; Her cheeks and lips were bloodless;
The paleness of death was spread over her features, and her eyeballs
fixed stedfastly upon me were lustreless and hollow.
I gazed upon the Spectre with horror too great to be described. My
blood was frozen in my veins. I would have called for aid, but the
sound expired ere it could pass my lips. My nerves were bound up in
impotence, and I remained in the same attitude inanimate as a Statue.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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