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��Stranger that} Fiction,
��of the year, almost priceless, exotics ; like an offering to a saint.
I prayed to that figure for months as I never prayed to my God, begging it to come to life, to give me one look, from the eyes I had never seen. I prayed as never even Pygmalion did, , but with less than his success. I sup- pose you are thinking I was insane? Well, I was. I tell you I went mad over that dead girl as I never did over a living one. My friends could not un- derstand me, my mother suffered untold agony, but I could not help them.
After a while a new phase set in. I was haunted ! I felt that Elinor was ever with me, ever near me, and yet would not show herself. I would turn sud- denly hundreds of times a day, thinking I felt her near me, her breath upon my cheek, only to be disappointed. It made no material difference where I was ; on the street, in the theatre, or at home, I was a haunted, unhappy man. I lost appetite, flesh, and sleep ; and at last I had to endure a companion of flesh, or in other words, a keeper. They said I was mad.
I was possessed with a desire to go to Florence, where my darling had lost her youth, and gayety. And strange as it may seem, the presence which haunted me seemed pleased, and urged me forward in my preparations.
I had been in Florence a week and the change had done me good ; although I was as mad as ever, but I had gained a little in strength. I was still haunted, had still to be watched.
One day my keeper, not feeling well, laid down upon a lounge and closed his eyes. I was seemingly engrossed with a book : but I furtively watched every motion, every breath. I longed to be alone, to breathe the air of freedom once again. From my windows, in the distance, I could see a ruined castle.
��I heard it was much admired by tourists and artists, and I had an almost insane desire to explore it alone. I watched with bated breath the ailing man, and prayed that sleep might soon claim him.
After what seemed to me time inter- minable, I was rewarded by deep and regular breathing, and I knew my time had come. But I had to watch ray chance, for had any one seen me go out alone, my attendant had soon been made aware of his relaxed vigilance, and my little scheme frustrated. I suc- ceeded in gettmg away unobserved though, and I went upon my way rejoicing.
I think I must have been in the cas- tle an hour (it was an immense place,) when I thought I heard voices, in another part, somewhat removed. I was then at the entrance of a large, dim room, whose \vindows seemed afar off. Its lofty arches gave back the echoes of my footsteps. I fancied there was a peculiarly mouldy smell. The walls were wainscctted in rich, dark mahog- ony, the floor was of the same. The windows were of stained glass, and lent strange shadows to the room. It was near twilight, and through the broken panes the bats flew in and out. An owl hooted at me from a perch far above my reach, and the remnants of a heavy curtain flapped in the evening breeze. I seemed to feel the presence of my unseen companion closer than ever. I felt her breath upon my cheek. I heard the rustle of her garments. I was strangely, wildly excited, and a sudden voice would have caused me to scream like a nervous woman. The room was v.-ithout furniture with one exception ; I could see between the windows what seemed to be a lounge, or chair of some kind, and feeling weary I drew near it for the purpose of rest.
This is what I saw. A heavy, iTistic
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