the most wretched ; nor is it in the power of fate to load me with superior ills. But to ease the amazement in which my words have involved you, follow me, and you shall be informed in full of the whole dismal cause. As she spoke this, she turned hastily towards the door of the chamber, and the other going after her as she had desired, they passed through several rooms, till they came to a long gallery, at the end of which was a closet. There Anziana stopped, and taking a key out of her pocket, opened it, and went in, desiring the other to do the same : but with what horror and affright was her soul invaded, when, as soon as she entered, the first object that presented itself to her, was the skeleton of a man, with arms extended wide, as if in act to seize the adventurous gazer, and on the breast was fixed a label ; which, as soon as she was enough recovered from that terror which so unexpected and so shocking a sight had plunged her in, to be able to look upon, Anziana took her by the hand, and bringing her nearer, shewed it her, containing these words, which to make them yet more dreadful, were writ in blood.
"Remember, Anziana, it is for your crime that I am thus; and let a just contrition take up your ensuing days, and peace be ever a stranger to your soul, till you become as I am!"
Let the reader imagine himself in this lady's place, and he will then be able to conceive some part of that astonishment she was in at beholding an object of this dire nature, in a house where nothing but mirth and chearfulness appeared to reign : to describe it, is not in the power of language ; therefore, I shall only say, that it took from her the power of speech; and though she passionately longed for the explanation of so strange an adventure, yet her tongue refused to obey the dictates of her heart; and by the wild confusion of her looks, and eyes half starting from their spheres, alone it was that she could make known her wonder, or her
