So,
my lady, there is small blame to me to be daunted when any one of the
family sees it; for it's many the story I heard of it, though I saw it
but once." I was not of a superstitious turn of mind, yet I could not resist a
feeling of awe very nearly allied to the fear which my companion had
so unreservedly expressed; and when you consider my situation, the
loneliness, antiquity, and gloom of the place, you will allow that the
weakness was not without excuse. In spite of old Martha's boding predictions, however, time flowed on in
an unruffled course. One little incident, however, though trifling in
itself, I must relate, as it serves to make what follows more
intelligible. Upon the day after my arrival, Lord Glenfallen of course desired to make
me acquainted with the house and domain; and accordingly we set forth
upon our ramble. When returning, he became for some time silent and
moody, a state so unusual with him as considerably to excite my
surprise. I endeavoured by observations and questions to arouse him--but in vain. At length, as we approached the house, he said, as if speaking to
himself,--

"'Twere madness--madness--madness," repeating the words bitterly; "sure
and speedy ruin." There was here a long pause; and at length, turning sharply towards me,
in a tone very unlike that in which he had hitherto addressed me, he
said,--

"Do you think it possible that a woman can keep a secret?" "I am sure," said I, "that women are very much belied upon the score of
talkativeness, and that I may answer your question with the same
directness with which you put it--I reply that I _do_ think a woman can
keep a secret." "But I do not," said he, drily. We walked on in silence for a time. I was much astonished at his
unwonted abruptness--I had almost said rudeness. After a considerable pause he seemed to recollect himself, and with an
effort resuming his sprightly manner, he said,--

"Well, well, the next thing to keeping a secret well is not to desire to
possess one; talkativeness and curiosity generally go together. Now I
shall make test of you, in the first place, respecting the latter of
these qualities. I shall be your _Bluebeard_--tush, why do I trifle
thus? Listen to me, my dear Fanny; I speak now in solemn earnest. What I
desire is intimately, inseparably connected with your happiness and
honour as well as my own; and your compliance with my request will not
be difficult. It will impose upon you a very trifling restraint during
your sojourn here, which certain events which have occurred since our
arrival have determined me shall not be a long one. You must promise me,
upon your sacred honour, that you will visit _only_ that part of the
castle which can be reached from the front entrance, leaving the back
entrance and the part of the building commanded immediately by it to the
menials, as also the small garden whose high wall you see yonder; and
never at any time seek to pry or peep into them, nor to open the door
which communicates from the front part of the house through the corridor
with the back. I do not urge this in jest or in caprice, but from
a solemn conviction that danger and misery will be the certain
consequences of your not observing what I prescribe. I cannot explain
myself further at present. Promise me, then, these things, as you hope
for peace here and for mercy hereafter." I did make the promise as desired, and he appeared 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 hat and cloak. 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. [Illustration: UPON ENTERING THE CHAMBER, I WAS SURPRISED AND SOMEWHAT
STARTLED TO FIND IT OCCUPIED.] "Madam," said I, "there must be some mistake here--this is my
bedchamber." "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 fist
towards me. I heard Lord Glenfallen's step upon the stairs, and I instantly ran out;
as I passed 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.