A family of rank and opulence had their villa at a short distance from the Abbé’s residence. They had a taste for learning, and were remarkable for the distinction which they paid to literary characters. They were seldom without some more or less eminent individuals in their house, and among others, they always treated the Abbé with particular kindness. The lady, however, of the mansion had rather a propensity to what she considered as innocent mischief, and would often amuse herself at the expence of her guests. One evening the party was kept up till a very late hour, by the recital of ghost-stories, to which our hero had listened with extraordinary attention. On returning to his apartment, and ruminating upon what he had recently heard, he thought he perceived something like motion in the countenance of an old family picture. He was a little startled, but on looking more attentively, he evidently saw the eyes of the picture open and shut, and at last a loud groan was uttered. He could bear it no longer, but rang his bell, and running out of his room, made the old staircase reverberate with the cries of thieves and murder. The family, who were prepared for the event, all assembled, with well feigned astonishment and sympathy, to hear the cause of his alarm, and to search his apartment. When an eclaircissement took place, it appeared that the head had been taken out of an old picture, and a groom, properly instructed to act his part, was placed behind the tapestry. One of these jests was however carried rather too far, and threatened a much more serious termination. A young lady, of somewhat masculine appearance, and less polished manners, which induced the belief that she had more courage than the event demonstrated, was upon a visit at the house. On going one night to bed, she perceived the bolster and pillow rise gradually, and elevate her to a considerable height. She gave a loud scream, and fell into a fit, from which she was with difficulty recovered. But to return to our Abbé.