Two Ghostly Mysteries | Page 9

relieved; his
manner recovered all its gaiety and elasticity, but the recollection of the
strange scene which I have just described dwelt painfully upon my
mind. More than a month passed away without any occurrence worth
recording; but I was not destined to leave Cahergillagh without further

adventure; one day intending to enjoy the pleasant sunshine in a ramble
through the woods, I ran up to my room to procure my bonnet and
shawl; upon entering the chamber, I was surprised and somewhat
startled to find it occupied; beside the fireplace and nearly opposite the
door, seated in a large, old-fashioned elbow-chair, was placed the
figure of a lady; she appeared to be nearer fifty than forty, and was
dressed suitably to her age, in a handsome suit of flowered silk; she had
a profusion of trinkets and jewellery about her person, and many rings
upon her fingers; but although very rich, her dress was not gaudy or in
ill taste; but what was remarkable in the lady was, that although her
features were handsome, and upon the whole pleasing, the pupil of each
eye was dimmed with the whiteness of cataract, and she was evidently
stone blind. I was for some seconds so surprised at this unaccountable
apparition, that I could not find words to address her.
"Madam," said I, "there must be some mistake here--this is my
bed-chamber."
"Marry come up," said the lady, sharply; "your chamber! Where is
Lord Glenfallen?"
"He is below, madam," replied I; "and I am convinced he will be not a
little surprised to find you here."
"I do not think he will," said she; "with your good leave, talk of what
you know something about; tell him I want him; why does the minx
dilly dally so?"
In spite of the awe which this grim lady inspired, there was something
in her air of confident superiority which, when I considered our relative
situations, was not a little irritating.
"Do you know, madam, to whom you speak?" said I.
"I neither know nor care," said she; "but I presume that you are some
one about the house, so, again, I desire you, if you wish to continue
here, to bring your master hither forthwith."
"I must tell you madam," said I, "that I am Lady Glenfallen."
"What's that?" said the stranger, rapidly.
"I say, madam," I repeated, approaching her, that I might be more
distinctly heard, "that I am Lady Glenfallen."
"It's a lie, you trull," cried she, in an accent which made me start, and,
at the same time, springing forward, she seized me in her grasp and
shook me violently, repeating, "it's a lie, it's a lie," with a rapidity and

vehemence which swelled every vein of her face; the violence of her
action, and the fury which convulsed her face, effectually terrified me,
and disengaging myself from her grasp, I screamed as loud as I could
for help; the blind woman continued to pour out a torrent of abuse upon
me, foaming at the mouth with rage, and impotently shaking her
clenched fists towards me. I heard Lord Glenfallen's step upon the
stairs, and I instantly ran out; as I past him I perceived that he was
deadly pale, and just caught the words, "I hope that demon has not hurt
you?" I made some answer, I forget what, and he entered the chamber,
the door of which he locked upon the inside; what passed within I
know not; but I heard the voices of the two speakers raised in loud and
angry altercation. I thought I heard the shrill accents of the woman
repeat the words, "let her look to herself"; but I could not be quite sure.
This short sentence, however, was, to my alarmed imagination,
pregnant with fearful meaning; the storm at length subsided, though not
until after a conference of more than two long hours. Lord Glenfallen
then returned, pale and agitated, "That unfortunate woman," said he, "is
out of her mind; I dare say she treated you to some of her ravings, but
you need not dread any further interruption from her, I have brought
her so far to reason. She did not hurt you, I trust."
"No, no," said I; "but she terrified me beyond measure." "Well," said he,
"she is likely to behave better for the future, and I dare swear that
neither you nor she would desire after what has passed to meet again."
This occurrence, so startling and unpleasant, so involved in mystery,
and giving rise to so many painful surmises, afforded me no very
agreeable food for rumination. All attempts on my part to arrive at the
truth were baffled; Lord Glenfallen evaded all my enquiries, and at
length peremptorily forbid any further allusion to the matter. I was thus
obliged to