pense of ghosts and ghost seers. The Baron listened patiently for some time; and, at last, asked, with seeming carelessness, whether they were inclined to encounter another night of danger? The officers quickly answered in the affirmative, and appeared rather offended by the question. But Bentheim continued, very composedly,
“You have spoken: and I shall now acquaint you with a deception which has been practised on you. When, yesterday, you expressed a wish to pass the night in the suspicious chamber, I thought your design a mere ebullition of youthful levity, and I consequently opposed it. You urged me still more; and then, I seemed to accede. But still desiring to protect you from the results which might have proceeded from a compliance with your desire, I resorted to a stratagem. You believe that you have tempted fate and tried your courage, in the haunted chamber; but you have only occupied one of the common rooms of the castle, in which no extraordinary event was likely to occur. Perhaps this is the reason why you have remained undisturbed. Since yesterday, however, I imagine I have become better acquainted with your disposition; and I now think that I owe you a reparation for the deceit which I have practised upon you. If, therefore, your courage is not damped by your first trial, I now faithfully promise you, you shall certainly pass the coming night in The Silver Lady’s chamber. Consider well, however, whether your intrepidity is equal to the adventure; and then let me know your resolution. I must also mention, that whatever may befal you, no practical jest shall be attempted against you, either by myself, or by any of my family. I pledge you, I repeat, my word of honour, that no one shall presume, by any deception, to alarm or to disturb you.”
This speech made a visible impression on the strangers. The serious tone of the Baron showed that, in his estimation
