“The domains of Lindenberg now fell to a distant Relation. But
terrified by the accounts given him of the Bleeding Nun (So was the
Spectre called by the multitude), the new Baron called to his
assistance a celebrated Exorciser. This holy Man succeeded in obliging
her to temporary repose; But though She discovered to him her history,
He was not permitted to reveal it to others, or cause her skeleton to
be removed to hallowed ground. That Office was reserved for you, and
till your coming, her Ghost was doomed to wander about the Castle and
lament the crime which She had there committed. However, the Exorciser
obliged her to silence during his lifetime. So long as He existed, the
haunted chamber was shut up, and the Spectre was invisible. At his
death which happened in five years after, She again appeared, but only
once on every fifth year, on the same day and at the same hour when She
plunged her Knife in the heart of her sleeping Lover: She then visited
the Cavern which held her mouldering skeleton, returned to the Castle
as soon as the Clock struck “Two,” and was seen no more till the next
five years had elapsed.
“She was doomed to suffer during the space of a Century. That period is
past. Nothing now remains but to consign to the Grave the ashes of
Beatrice. I have been the means of releasing you from your visionary
Tormentor; and amidst all the sorrows which oppress me, to think that I
have been of use to you, is some consolation. Youth, farewell! May the
Ghost of your Relation enjoy that rest in the Tomb, which the
Almighty’s vengeance has denied to me for ever!”
Here the Stranger prepared to quit the apartment.
“Stay yet one moment!” said I; “You have satisfied my curiosity with
regard to the Spectre, but you leave me in prey to yet greater
respecting yourself. Deign to inform me, to whom I am under such real
obligations. You mention circumstances long past, and persons long
dead: You were personally acquainted with the Exorciser, who by your
own account has been deceased near a Century. How am I to account for
this? What means that burning Cross upon your forehead, and why did the
sight of it strike such horror to my soul?”
On these points He for some time refused to satisfy me. At length
overcome by my entreaties, He consented to clear up the whole, on
condition that I would defer his explanation till the next day. With
this request I was obliged to comply, and He left me. In the Morning my
first care was to enquire after the mysterious Stranger. Conceive my
disappointment when informed that He had already quitted Ratisbon. I
dispatched messengers in pursuit of him but in vain. No traces of the
Fugitive were discovered. Since that moment I never have heard any more
of him, and ’tis most probable that I never shall.”
(Lorenzo here interrupted his Friend’s narrative.
“How?” said He; “You have never discovered who He was, or even formed a
guess?”
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