whom you have never exchanged a word?” “Well, sir,” was the reply, “as I have
betrayed myself, it is well that I should make full confession. A year or two ago,
I was foolish enough to try a Halloween spell,—and sat up all night to watch the
result. I declare to you most solemnly that the figure of that lady, as I now see
her, entered my room, and looked at me. She stood a minute or two by the fire,
and then disappeared as suddenly and as silently as she had entered. I was wide
awake, and felt considerable remorse at having thus ventured to tamper with the
powers of the Unseen World; but I assure you that every particular of her
features, dress, and figure have been so present to my mind ever since, that I
could not possibly make a mistake, and the moment I saw your niece I was
convinced that she was indeed the woman whose image I saw on that never-
forgotten Halloween.”
It is unnecessary to say that the uncle was considerably astonished at this
extraordinary narrative, but he forbore to comment upon it, as by this time they
had arrived at Mrs. M.’s house. The lady was delighted to see her uncle, and
made his friend heartily welcome, discharging the duties of hostess with a
simplicity and grace that fascinated her guest.
After her visitors had rested and refreshed themselves, her uncle walked out with
her to inspect the farm, and seized the opportunity, in the absence of Mr. C., to
bespeak for him his niece’s favourable consideration. Many words were
unnecessary, for the impression produced had been mutually agreeable. Before
leaving the house Mr. C. obtained Mrs. M.’s permission to visit her in the
character of a suitor for her hand,—and after a brief courtship they were married.
The story ends, as all such stories should end, with the affirmation that they lived
long and happily together, and it was from their daughter that Dr. Chambers’s
informant derived his knowledge of the preceding remarkable episode in their
career.
Dr. Chambers assures us that the leading incidents of the narrative may be relied
on as correct; but we think the reader will exercise a wise incredulity: that at all
events his belief will not go beyond the admission of some possible
resemblance, entirely accidental, between Mrs. M. and the lady whom the
imaginative Mr. C. had seen in his Halloween dream, and whose image he had
so carefully treasured in his memory.