Кентервільський привид

           "Theymean,"hesaid,sadly,"thatyoumustweepwithmeformysins,becauseIhavenotears,andpraywithmeformysoul,becauseIhavenofaith, andthen,ifyouhavealwaysbeensweet,andgood,andgentle,theangelofdeathwillhavemercyonme. Youwillseefearfulshapesindarkness,andwickedvoiceswillwhisperinyourear,buttheywillnotharmyou,foragainstthepurityofalittlechildthepowersofHellcannotprevail." 

           Virginiamadenoanswer,andtheghostwrunghishandsinwilddespairashelookeddownatherbowedgoldenhead. Suddenlyshestoodup,verypale,andwithastrangelightinhereyes. "Iamnotafraid,"shesaidfirmly,"andIwillasktheangeltohavemercyonyou." 

           Herosefromhisseatwithafaintcryofjoy,andtakingherhandbentoveritwitholdfashionedgraceandkissedit. Hisfingerswereascoldasice,andhislipsburnedlikefire,butVirginiadidnotfalter,asheledheracrosstheduskyroom. Onthefadedgreentapestrywerebroideredlittlehuntsmen.Theyblewtheirtasselledhornsandwiththeirtinyhandswavedtohertogoback. "Goback!littleVirginia,"theycried,"goback! "buttheghostclutchedherhandmoretightly,andsheshuthereyesagainstthem. Horribleanimalswithlizardtailsandgoggleeyesblinkedatherfromthecarvenchimneypiece,andmurmured, "Beware!littleVirginia,beware! wemayneverseeyouagain,"buttheGhostglidedonmoreswiftly,andVirginiadidnotlisten. Whentheyreachedtheendoftheroomhestopped,andmutteredsomewordsshecouldnotunderstand. Sheopenedhereyes,andsawthewallslowlyfadingawaylikeamist,andagreatblackcaverninfrontofher. Abittercoldwindsweptroundthem,andshefeltsomethingpullingatherdress. "Quick,quick,"criedtheGhost,"oritwillbetoolate," andinamomentthewainscotinghadclosedbehindthem,andtheTapestryChamberwasempty.