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Page 25
"But papa, do you not think ghosts are sometimes to be seen?"
"Frederic," said he, "I will not pretend to say what a guilty
conscience or over-heated imagination may have conjured up and
fancied, but as I have neither, I do not expect to see anything
supernatural; but, as I said before, having heard so much about the
mysteries of this place, I think, that even had I not made the
purchase, I should like to find them out."
"But if you see the ghost, papa, will you then believe in such
things?"
"Wait till, to-morrow, Fred; these are silly suppositions for a
religious well educated boy to make, from whom far better things might
be expected. Now, only reflect a moment, and then ask yourself what
good can these appearances do."
I really now began to be quite ashamed of myself, and thought I was
not only foolish, but wicked, in giving credence to the superstitious
nonsense I had heard.
Mrs. Davis now coming in with some things papa had ordered to take
with him; again ventured to say she hoped he would not repent going to
Castle Hill, adding she would pay every attention to the young
gentleman, meaning myself, in his absence.
"If I am not mistaken, he would rather accompany me Mrs. Davis, he has
been early taught to fear nothing but acting wickedly; and I feel very
sure be will not shrink from passing the night where I do; however he
can please himself."
Mrs. Davis actually looked aghast! and though I again expressed my
readiness and determination to go, I own I was a _little, a very
little_ afraid.
"Well, it must be as you please, I see you are a gentleman not very
soon turned, when you make up your mind to do a thing."
"What time may we expect, this said ghost to visit us. When does it
usually appear?"
"Why, Sir, generally they say from twelve till two; well you may
smile," said she seeing papa unable to control his features, "but its
not once I have warned you, nor twice either."
"You have done so" said papa "and I feel certainly much obliged by
your kind intentions. I always heard the Welsh were superstitious; but
could not have believed they carried it to such an extent as you do in
this neighbourhood."
"It may be so; but you are so very unbelieving. May be you don't
believe in corpse candles."
"Oh yes, when they're lighted I do."
"And ain't they always lighted."
"What do you mean," said papa, "are they not the lights you burn
during the night, while a dead body lies unburied."
"Bless your innocent heart! No. The corpse candies, are seen burning
and moving of themselves, afore people die; coming down the roads from
the houses they live in as a warning."
"A warning for what my dear Mrs. Davis? what earthly purpose can they
answer? have we not warning enough in the daily events of our lives to
impress us with the instability of life, and yet how rarely does death
find us prepared."
"Well, well; you may be as unbelieving as you like, and talk as you
will: I shall always believe when I see a corpse candle, there'll be a
death but just wait till you pass one night in Castle Hill; may be
you'll tell a different story then!"
"The long and the short of the matter, Mrs. Davis is this, I liked the
property, and have bought it; and am determined to reside in it if
God, spares my life. As to the ghost or ghosts, I am well persuaded
that, although some natural causes may render the house and premises
untenable; supernatural ones I am sure have nothing to do with it."
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