ifix thrice, and quitted
his kneeling posture. He next drew from the Chest a covered Goblet:
With the liquor which it contained, and which appeared to be blood, He
sprinkled the floor, and then dipping in it one end of the Crucifix, He
described a circle in the middle of the room. Round about this He
placed various reliques, sculls, thigh-bones &c; I observed, that He
disposed them all in the forms of Crosses. Lastly He took out a large
Bible, and beckoned me to follow him into the Circle. I obeyed.

'Be cautious not to utter a syllable!' whispered the Stranger; 'Step
not out of the circle, and as you love yourself, dare not to look upon
my face!'

Holding the Crucifix in one hand, the Bible in the other, He seemed to
read with profound attention. The Clock struck 'One'! As usual I heard
the Spectre's steps upon the Staircase: But I was not seized with the
accustomed shivering. I waited her approach with confidence. She
entered the room, drew near the Circle, and stopped. The Stranger
muttered some words, to me unintelligible. Then raising his head from
the Book, and extending the Crucifix towards the Ghost, He pronounced
in a voice distinct and solemn,

'Beatrice! Beatrice! Beatrice!'

'What wouldst Thou?' replied the Apparition in a hollow faltering tone.

'What disturbs thy sleep? Why dost thou afflict and torture this
Youth? How can rest be restored to thy unquiet Spirit?'

'I dare not tell!--I must not tell!--Fain would I repose in my Grave,
but stern commands force me to prolong my punishment!'

'Knowest Thou this blood? Knowest Thou in whose veins it flowed?

Beatrice! Beatrice! In his name I charge thee to answer me!'

'I dare not disobey my taskers.'

'Darest Thou disobey Me?'

He spoke in a commanding tone, and drew the sable band from his
forehead. In spite of his injunctions to the contrary, Curiosity would
not suffer me to keep my eyes off his face: I raised them, and beheld
a burning Cross impressed upon his brow. For the horror with which this
object inspired me I cannot account, but I never felt its equal! My
senses left me for some moments; A mysterious dread overcame my
courage, and had not the Exorciser caught my hand, I should have fallen
out of the Circle.

When I recovered myself, I perceived that the burning Cross had
produced an effect no less violent upon the Spectre. Her countenance
expressed reverence, and horror, and her visionary limbs were shaken by
fear.