"We will soon see if that is the case," | mondo ?" inquired Bascara. exclaimed I, as I leaped from the chaise. "I require a stable, a room, and refreshments," said I to the hostess, in that kind of imperious tone which we had generally found to answer on these occasions; "and these without loss of time; it is in the service of the emperor." Heyday, captain," cried the good dame, with the most perfect assurance; "if the emperor himself were to apply for a lodging he would not even find standing room in our hostelry. Provisions and wine you can have in plenty, for, thanks to Heaven, there is no difficulty in procuring them in a town like this. But, on my word of honor, there is not lodging to be had-save in the Château Ghismondo." "I only wish this terrible castle was really not far off," said I; "for I would certainly sooner pass the night in it than in the street." "Well, that's not at all a bad idea; the Château Ghismondo is only three-quarters of a league from here, and shelter is to be found in it at all times and seasons, though people seldom avail themselves of this advantage; you Frenchmen are not men to yield a comfortable lodging to the devil. If you like this plan, your carriage shall be filled with every thing necessary to make you pass a merry night, unless you happen to be disturbed by some mysterious visitor." In ten minutes after this discussion our conveyance was so crammed with good things, that the smallest person could not have inserted himself. We had resolved to proceed on foot. "Where are we to go, captain?" asked the arriero, who was a little surprised at our preparations. "Where are we to go?-my poor Estevan! why, to the Château Ghismondo, in all human probability." "To the Château Ghismondo! Then may the blessed Virgin have mercy upon us. My mules would not even dare to undertake the journey there." "Are you aware, gentlemen, what the Château Ghis-mondo is? Nobody has ever sought shelter there with impunity, or without having made a previous compact with the evil spirit. No not for millions would I enter it no, I am quite resolved not to attempt it." "I am quite certain that you will accompany us. However, my excellent Bascara,” said Boutraix, while he encircled the manager with a muscular arm, "would it become a brave Castilian to be scared away from a place on account of an absurd tradition ?^ No, no! proceed, my good Bascara, and rest assured that if the devil attempts to molest you, Lieutenant Boutraix will step in between you. By heavens, I should only like to witness such a thing." In the meantime we had advanced some way on our road, but I must say that the mules did not press forward very willingly, for they were already much overworked and required provender. "After all," observed Sergy, "we have not yet heard why the Château de Ghismondo is such an object of dread to so many people. Perhaps it is haunted by ghosts" "More likely by robbers," replied I; "there is generally some foundation for these superstitious terrors." "Is it possible," said Estevan, in a faltering voice, “that any body is unacquainted with the history of the Castle of Ghismondo! If the gentlemen would like to know any thing about it, I shall be very happy to satisfy their curiosity; for my father was once inside it. Ah! he was a good creature, God forgive him for loving drink a little too much." "Pray tell us the story," cried Sergy, eagerly. "Oh, that unfortunate Ghismondo!" said Estevan, and then he lowered his voice to a whisper, as if he feared to be heard by some unseen witness. "Unfortunate he was, indeed," continued he, "for he drew upon himself the inexorable anger of God. At They will undertake it, however," and the age of twenty-five, Ghismondo became I slipt a few pieces of money into his hand; the head of the noble family of Las Sierras, "for they will have a luxurious feed after which is so celebrated in our chronicles; it their fatigue; and remember, my good fel- is about three hundred years ago since the low, there are three excellent bottles of old time of which I am speaking, but the exact wine of Palamos for yourself." year is mentioned in the chronicle. He was "Do we really go to the Château Ghis- a handsome, generous, and brave knight, "The monster!" exclaimed Sergy, deeply affected by the story. "This horrible crime," pursued Estevan, "did not in the least diminish their mirth, and they continued to drink and sing licentious songs in the presence of the dead body, till three o'clock in the morning, when the and possessed such captivating manners, | awaken in his breast some feelings of huthat wherever he went he was welcome; manity. But, alas! she had undertaken a but, unfortunately, he was rather fond of task beyond her strength, for Ghismondo, bad company, and did not keep in mind the being stimulated at length by his barbarous fear and love of God, At length he became companions, plunged his dagger into her so notorious for his profligacy, and his prodi- bosom." gality had so completely ruined him, that he was obliged to shut himself up in the very castle in which you have so imprudently resolved to spend the night, for this was all that was left of his rich patrimony. In this retreat he passed the rest of his days, being delighted to escape his creditors and the many enemies which his reckless pas-men-at-arms, who had discovered that the sions had made him. His companions were an esquire (who had led as bad a life as himself) and a young page, the corruption of whose mind had far outstepped his years. There were besides, in the castle, a few armed men, who had joined in many of the crimes of Ghismondo and his two friends, and who had therefore resolved to follow his fortunes. One of the first expeditions which Ghismondo undertook after he had established himself in the château, was for the purpose of procuring himself a companion of the other sex; and, like the vile bird which defiles its nest, he selected his victim from the bosom of his own family. Some said, however, that Inez de las Sierras (this was the name of his niece) had not been unwillingly carried off. sounds of revelry had ceased, entered the banquet hall, and found four bodies stretched on the ground in the midst of pools of blood and wine. The three drunkards were carried off to their beds, and the corpse was placed in its winding sheet. The vengeance of Heaven, however, did not sleep, for Ghismondo's eyes were scarcely closed when Inez entered his chamber; she was pale and covered with blood; she wore a shroud, and soon held forth a flaming hand, which she at length placed heavily on his heart, on the exact spot on which she had laid it a few hours before. Ghismondo seemed nailed to the bed by some irresistible power, and in vain attempted to escape from the horrible apparition; he could express his agony only in sighs and groans. The flaming hand appeared actually fastened to the place, and the heart of Ghismondo burnt and continued to burn until sunrise, when the phantom disappeared. His accomplices were visited in a similar manner by the ghost of Inez. The next day, and every day during that never-ending year, the three wretched men sought each other's eyes, to learn, if possible, from their expression, the nature of their dreams, for they did not dare to speak upon the subject. The love of excitement and gain, however, soon plunged them into fresh crimes, and at night they revelled in all kinds of excess, in order to drive away thought, and to keep off sleep as much as they could, because they dreaded its ap "However that may be, it is certain that all at once the fair Inez, who had received a Christian education, became horror-struck at the sinful life she had been leading. Her soul had suddenly been illumined by a ray of divine grace, and at midnight, on this same night of the year which recalls to the mind of the faithful the Saviour's birth, she entered the banqueting hall, contrary to her usual habit, where these three wicked men were seated round the hearth, and were indulging in the most awful excess. Her faith so completely inspired her that she forgot all fear while she addressed the three sinners, and pictured to them in the most eloquent words, the wickedness of their deeds, and the horror of that eternal punish-proach on account of their nightly visitant. ment which awaits all those who turn not from their evil courses. She wept and prayed, and threw herself at the feet of Ghismondo, and as she placed her white hand on his heart, which had so lately beaten with the emotion of love, she strove to "At length the anniversary of the 24th of December arrived, and the three friends were sitting as usual round the hearth at their evening meal. Suddenly, just as the clock struck twelve, they heard a voice in the adjoining gallery, and in a few seconds afterwards Inez entered the banqueting banqueting room, and there he saw the hall. Here I am,' cried she, and she cast aside her funeral drapery, and sat down with them, richly dressed, as she used to do. "To their infinite terror, she began to eat bread and drink wine as if she were living, then she proceeded to dance and sing, and to amuse them as had been her wont; all at once her hand began to blaze just as they had seen it in their dreams, and she placed it on Ghismondo's heart, as well as on the esquire's, and the page's; instantly all was over, for, in a few minutes, the heart of each of these sinners was reduced to cinders. The men-at-arms came into the banqueting | hall as usual at three o'clock, and this time they had to carry away four dead bodies. But this is not all," pursued Estevan. "And I entreat you to listen to me for an instant before you decide on spending the night in the castle. Since the death of Ghismondo, his retreat has become hateful to every body, and is left in the possession of the devil; even the road which leads to it is deserted, as you may observe; all that is known now is, that every year, on the 24th of December, at midnight, each window in the château becomes immediately illuminated, and those who have had courage to enter the dread abode, have seen the spirits of the knight, the esquire, and the page, and Inez, visit the banquet hall, and have witnessed the same scene as I have described on that memorable 24th of December. This is the doom assigned to them till the end of all time." These last words made Boutraix burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. "Go to the devil," cried he, while he slapped the arriero familiarly on the shoulder; "nothing but prejudice, my good Castilian; this is one of the old grandmothers' tales of the superstitious times which are no longer credited in Spain. Come, spur on your mules, I would drink a toast to Satan himself to see the supper sooner prepared." "These were exactly my father's words," remarked Estevan. Well, but," said Sergy, "you have not yet told us what your father saw, that so terrified him." ghosts of Ghismondo, of his esquire and page, and beheld Inez showing them a bleeding wound in her bosom, and she began to dance and to approach him with the others, when suddenly my father remembered the horrible story which he had heard, and sank to the ground as if he were dead, and when he came to himself the next morning, he found himself on the steps of the parish church." "Where he had fallen asleep the night before," said Boutraix, "because he had taken too much wine; it was a drunkard's dream, my poor Estevan; but this infernal château, are we never to reach it ?” "We are here at last," said Estevan. "And not too soon, for I actually hear thunder, a most extraordinary thing at this time of the year," observed Sergy. "It may always be heard at this particular season, near the Château Ghismondo," replied the arriero. He had scarcely ceased speaking, when a vivid flash of lightning darted from the heavens, and displayed the white walls of the old castle to our view. The chief entrance appeared to have been long closed, but the principal hinges had broken away from the stones which supported them, owing to the action of the air upon them for centuries, so that we managed with our swords to carve a passage through the crumbling doorway, and immediately found ourselves in the fore-court. On its left was a projecting roof, which formed a covering to a kind of cattle shed; this had been formerly used as a shelter for the horses of the governor of the castle from the inclemency of the season; we were exceedingly delighted when we perceived this rough stable, for it was just what we required for housing the mules and carriage. "This will do famously for my mules," cried Estevan, who appeared more contented and composed than he had been during the journey, "and you know, gentlemen, that there is a proverb which says, that the muleteer is always comfortable wherever his mules are well lodged,' and I feel, with a little bit of something to eat, and the three bottles of wine which the captain promised me, I shall do well." "Here they are," exclaimed I, "and two loaves and a quarter of roast lamb besides, for your supper; you will not fare badly, I think; and now, having taken care of your comfort as well as the mules, we must lose no time in preparing our own repast." We lighted four torches, and then mounted the grand staircase, which was strewn with dust and litter; when we reached the landing-place on the first story we rested a moment to take breath; on our left was a long corridor, which was so narrow and so dark that our torches could not pierce its obscurity; immediately before us was a door, or rather there had been one, which led to various apartments; we continued to pursue our inquiries, and at length we entered a gallery, the walls of which I perceived were hung with portraits; to these I eagerly drew the attention of my companions, who had not yet remarked them. "Yes, pictures," cried Boutraix, "as certain as there is a God in heaven. Is it possible that the drunken father of that simpleton of an arriero could have come as far as this?" "Impossible, you know," remarked Sergy, with a scornful smile, "for, if you remember, he fell asleep on the steps of the parish church, because he was so tipsy that he could go no farther." "My good fellow, I am not asking you for your opinion," said Boutraix, while he produced his eyeglass, and began to examine minutely the broken frames. "Yes, they are actually pictures, and, if I mistake not, they are portraits of the family of Las Sierras." Sergy meanwhile had seized a torch, and was gazing eagerly at one of the portraits. "Look," cried he, "look at this knight of the gloomy countenance, this must be Ghismondo himself; how admirably the painter has expressed in his young features all the lassitude of voluptuousness, and the wear and tear of crime! It makes one melancholy to look upon it." "Well, the portrait next to it," said I, "will refresh your eyes, after gazing at its gloomy companion," while I inwardly smiled at his conjecture; "it is the portrait of a woman, and if it was in a better state of preservation, and nearer to us, you would certainly fall into raptures on the charms of Inez de las Sierras, for you may easily imagine it is her. What an elegant and dignified figure, and what a graceful attitude! what an arm and hand! This is exactly what Inez ought to be." "And what she was," said Sergy, with warmth. "Come here," cried he, while he dragged me after him, "I have found a good light for it, and have managed to catch the expression of the eyes. I never beheld eyes which appealed more completely to the soul -'tis life-like." Wait, wait a moment," exclaimed Boutraix, whose tall figure enabled him to reach the frame; "there is a name written here in German, or Hebrew, for aught I know," and he grasped hold of the picture; "I would as soon take the trouble of explaining the Koran," said he. "Inez de las Sierras, Inez de las Sierras," cried Sergy, enthusiastically; "read for yourselves." "Hither, gentlemen, follow me," shouted Boutraix, who had left us looking at the portraits. "Here is a hall of reception, which will make us forget all regret at quitting Mattaro; why, faith, 'tis a banquet room worthy of a prince." The hall to which Boutraix drew our attention was in a much better state of preservation than any other part of the castle; it was lighted at one end by two very narrow windows, which, from their particular position, had remained tolerably uninjured from the effects of age and climate. The hangings of printed leather, and the strange antique chairs gave to the whole apartment an air of rude magnificence; there was a round table, too, which immediately brought to our recollection the impious revels in which Ghismondo so often indulged. It cost us several journeys to bring hither our provisions, as well as wood for making a fire; we found every thing safe, however, even Bascara's trunk of finery, and at length we had carried in all the good cheer for our evening meal. "I should not wonder," remarked I, “if our party of to-night were to add a fresh pretext for the credulity of the inhabitants; it is just the hour when Ghismondo is said to come every year to take part in his infernal banquet, and our lights, which must be seen through the windows, will certainly cause the superstitious to think that a feast of demons is going forward; I dare say it was upon a similar circumstance that Estevan's story was founded." 444 CHATEAU GHISMONDO; OR, THE APPARITION. "And perhaps, too," remarked Boutraix, ❘ Inez de las Sierras has not yet visited us, "some persons who happened to be here on and we laughed merrily that we should all a 24th of December, amused themselves in have happened to make so absurd an obdressing up and performing the parts of servation. Ghismondo and his comrades; now, here is a knight's suit, which seems as if it had been made for the captain, and there is another which I think will make me look the picture of the esquire, this page's coquetish costume is admirably adapted for relieving the drooping though handsome countenance of my good friend Sergy; pray confess that this is a glorious idea of mine, and that it promises us a night of glorious fun and gayety." "Zounds !" cried Boutraix, as he attempted to rise, though rather unsteadily; “we will drink the health of the demoiselle Inez de las Sierras, and her speedy deliverance from torment." While Boutraix was chattering, he had attired himself from head to foot, and we had followed his example, laughing heartily all the time. "But who is to personate the fair Inez, we never thought of that; it seems to me that no one could better perform her part than the amiable Bascara, to whom nature has been very bountiful in external gifts, if he would only do us this favor." "Gentlemen," replied Bascara, “I have no objection to assist in any joke which does not concern the welfare of my soul, but in this affair my conscience will not allow me to join; you will learn, perhaps to your cost, that you cannot brave the powers of hell with impunity." That will do, my good fellow," exclaimed Boutraix, "keep your chair, and eat, drink, pray, and sleep; don't alarm yourself, Inez never comes till dessert, and I only hope she may come." 66 "To the health of the fair Inez," said Sergy. "To her health,” replied I, as I touched their glasses. "Here I am," answered a voice which seemed to proceed from the adjoining gallery of pictures. Humph!" muttered Boutraix seating himself again, "it's not a bad joke whoever has played it." I looked behind me, and saw Bascara pale and trembling with fear. "That rogue of a muleteer has taken too much wine," said I, "and is amusing himself at our expense." "Here I am! here I am!" repeated the same voice, "a hearty greeting and welcome to the guests of the Château Ghismondo." "It is a woman's voice, and a young woman's too," said Sergy, and he rose from his chair with elegant self-possession. Precisely at the same moment we perceived a white phantom at the farther end of the hall; suddenly it moved towards us with great rapidity, and when it reached us, it threw off its winding-sheet. "Here I am!" said the phantom, and seated itself in Inez's place, at the same time God preserve us from such a thing!" it sighed deeply, and pushed aside its long cried Bascara. Our supper was ready, and accordingly we black hair, which was carelessly confined with bows of cherry-colored ribbon; none of us had ever beheld such refined and regular description of beauty. "There is no question about its being a woman," said I in an under tone," and since we are all agreed that whatever happens must be explained by some natural circumstance, we have nothing to do but to follow the rules of French politeness,—the result will clear up the mystery, if it can be cleared up." We resumed our seats, and offered refreshment to the unknown, who appeared to be perfectly famished; she eat and drank without speaking; in a few minutes, indeed, she seemed to have forgotten all about us, |