diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore index db45351..7c091b2 100644 --- a/.gitignore +++ b/.gitignore @@ -1,2 +1,5 @@ environment/ -.vscode/ \ No newline at end of file +.vscode/ +build +dist +cli.spec \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/firstLoginDialog.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/firstLoginDialog.cpython-37.pyc index a0bc480..385f9b0 100644 Binary files a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/firstLoginDialog.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/firstLoginDialog.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/loginDialog.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/loginDialog.cpython-37.pyc index 86f815b..d04cace 100644 Binary files a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/loginDialog.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/loginDialog.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/mainWindowPTE.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/mainWindowPTE.cpython-37.pyc index 78acf23..0806a1e 100644 Binary files a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/mainWindowPTE.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/mainWindowPTE.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/passwordDialog.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/passwordDialog.cpython-37.pyc index ff1c2a6..41fc89e 100644 Binary files a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/passwordDialog.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/passwordDialog.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/settingsDialog.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/settingsDialog.cpython-37.pyc index 6cbe4cd..39c1b37 100644 Binary files a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/settingsDialog.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/settingsDialog.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/verifyPasswordDialog.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/verifyPasswordDialog.cpython-37.pyc index 6d8b96b..2fb15db 100644 Binary files a/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/verifyPasswordDialog.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/GUIs/__pycache__/verifyPasswordDialog.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/GUIs/firstLoginDialog.py b/Application/GUIs/firstLoginDialog.py index 5d69758..22cd05f 100644 --- a/Application/GUIs/firstLoginDialog.py +++ b/Application/GUIs/firstLoginDialog.py @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ QPixmap, QRadialGradient) from PySide2.QtWidgets import * -import resource_rc +import Application.resource_rc class Ui_firstLoginDialog(object): def setupUi(self, firstLoginDialog): diff --git a/Application/GUIs/loginDialog.py b/Application/GUIs/loginDialog.py index 03b2256..4a456df 100644 --- a/Application/GUIs/loginDialog.py +++ b/Application/GUIs/loginDialog.py @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ QPixmap, QRadialGradient) from PySide2.QtWidgets import * -import resource_rc +import Application.resource_rc class Ui_loginDialog(object): def setupUi(self, loginDialog): diff --git a/Application/GUIs/mainWindowPTE.py b/Application/GUIs/mainWindowPTE.py index 890b7cb..a345e85 100644 --- a/Application/GUIs/mainWindowPTE.py +++ b/Application/GUIs/mainWindowPTE.py @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ QPixmap, QRadialGradient) from PySide2.QtWidgets import * -import resource_rc +import Application.resource_rc class Ui_Groot(object): def setupUi(self, Groot): diff --git a/Application/GUIs/passwordDialog.py b/Application/GUIs/passwordDialog.py index 5f1f90e..f5fb1d0 100644 --- a/Application/GUIs/passwordDialog.py +++ b/Application/GUIs/passwordDialog.py @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ QPixmap, QRadialGradient) from PySide2.QtWidgets import * -import resource_rc +import Application.resource_rc class Ui_passwordDialog(object): def setupUi(self, passwordDialog): diff --git a/Application/GUIs/settingsDialog.py b/Application/GUIs/settingsDialog.py index 011c4b5..2bbe832 100644 --- a/Application/GUIs/settingsDialog.py +++ b/Application/GUIs/settingsDialog.py @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ QPixmap, QRadialGradient) from PySide2.QtWidgets import * -import resource_rc +import Application.resource_rc class Ui_settingDialog(object): def setupUi(self, settingDialog): diff --git a/Application/GUIs/verifyPasswordDialog.py b/Application/GUIs/verifyPasswordDialog.py index 06a78cf..e419eef 100644 --- a/Application/GUIs/verifyPasswordDialog.py +++ b/Application/GUIs/verifyPasswordDialog.py @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ QPixmap, QRadialGradient) from PySide2.QtWidgets import * -import resource_rc +import Application.resource_rc class Ui_verifyPasswordDialog(object): def setupUi(self, verifyPasswordDialog): diff --git a/Icons/16x16/140.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/140.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/140.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/140.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/157.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/157.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/157.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/157.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/85.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/85.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/85.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/85.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/bold.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/bold.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/bold.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/bold.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/brackets.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/brackets.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/brackets.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/brackets.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/branch_close_light.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/branch_close_light.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/branch_close_light.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/branch_close_light.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/branch_open_light.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/branch_open_light.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/branch_open_light.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/branch_open_light.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/bug.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/bug.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/bug.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/bug.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/cancel.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/cancel.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/cancel.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/cancel.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/case_sensitive.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/case_sensitive.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/case_sensitive.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/case_sensitive.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/decrypt.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/decrypt.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/decrypt.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/decrypt.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_delete.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_delete.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_delete.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_delete.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_edit.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_edit.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_edit.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_edit.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_empty.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_empty.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_empty.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_empty.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_export.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_export.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_export.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_export.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_import.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_import.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_import.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_import.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_lines.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_lines.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_lines.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_lines.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_lines_stright.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_lines_stright.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_lines_stright.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_lines_stright.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_minus.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_minus.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_minus.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_minus.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_new.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_new.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_new.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_new.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/doc_plus.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/doc_plus.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/doc_plus.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/doc_plus.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/document.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/document.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/document.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/document.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/document_light.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/document_light.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/document_light.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/document_light.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/down_arrow.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/down_arrow.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/down_arrow.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/down_arrow.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/download.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/download.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/download.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/download.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/edit.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/edit.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/edit.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/edit.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/encrypt.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/encrypt.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/encrypt.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/encrypt.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/encrypt_20.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/encrypt_20.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/encrypt_20.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/encrypt_20.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/encrypt_24.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/encrypt_24.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/encrypt_24.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/encrypt_24.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/find.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/find.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/find.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/find.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder_arrow.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder_arrow.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder_arrow.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder_arrow.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder_delete.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder_delete.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder_delete.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder_delete.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder_light.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder_light.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder_light.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder_light.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder_minus.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder_minus.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder_minus.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder_minus.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder_open.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder_open.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder_open.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder_open.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/folder_plus.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/folder_plus.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/folder_plus.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/folder_plus.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/html.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/html.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/html.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/html.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/image.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/image.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/image.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/image.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/info.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/info.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/info.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/info.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/insert.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/insert.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/insert.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/insert.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/italic.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/italic.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/italic.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/italic.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/key.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/key.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/key.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/key.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/link.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/link.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/link.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/link.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/markdown.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/markdown.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/markdown.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/markdown.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/pdf.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/pdf.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/pdf.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/pdf.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/preview.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/preview.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/preview.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/preview.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/print.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/print.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/print.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/print.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/quit.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/quit.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/quit.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/quit.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/regex.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/regex.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/regex.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/regex.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/save.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/save.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/save.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/save.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/settings.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/settings.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/settings.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/settings.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/subfolder.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/subfolder.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/subfolder.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/subfolder.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/subfolder_light.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/subfolder_light.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/subfolder_light.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/subfolder_light.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/sun_dark.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/sun_dark.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/sun_dark.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/sun_dark.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/sun_light.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/sun_light.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/sun_light.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/sun_light.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/underline.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/underline.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/underline.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/underline.png diff --git a/Icons/16x16/whole_word.png b/Application/Icons/16x16/whole_word.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/16x16/whole_word.png rename to Application/Icons/16x16/whole_word.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/21.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/21.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/21.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/21.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/arrow_bottom.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/arrow_bottom.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/arrow_bottom.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/arrow_bottom.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/arrow_top.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/arrow_top.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/arrow_top.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/arrow_top.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/attention.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/attention.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/attention.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/attention.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/box.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/box.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/box.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/box.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/brackets.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/brackets.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/brackets.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/brackets.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/bullets.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/bullets.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/bullets.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/bullets.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/cancel.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/cancel.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/cancel.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/cancel.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/clock.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/clock.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/clock.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/clock.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/decrypt.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/decrypt.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/decrypt.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/decrypt.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/delete_note.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/delete_note.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/delete_note.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/delete_note.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/display.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/display.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/display.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/display.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/encrypt.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/encrypt.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/encrypt.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/encrypt.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/font_bold.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/font_bold.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/32x32/font_bold.png rename to Application/Icons/32x32/font_bold.png diff --git a/Icons/32x32/font_italic.png b/Application/Icons/32x32/font_italic.png similarity index 100% rename from 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b/Application/Icons/48x48/font_italic.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/48x48/font_italic.png rename to Application/Icons/48x48/font_italic.png diff --git a/Icons/App Icon/LICENSE.txt b/Application/Icons/App Icon/LICENSE.txt similarity index 100% rename from Icons/App Icon/LICENSE.txt rename to Application/Icons/App Icon/LICENSE.txt diff --git a/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_16.png b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_16.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cff245c Binary files /dev/null and b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_16.png differ diff --git a/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_256.png b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_256.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d5e621d Binary files /dev/null and b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_256.png differ diff --git a/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_32.png b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_32.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d8a7ec Binary files /dev/null and b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_32.png differ diff --git a/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_48.png b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_48.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..05cba8d Binary files /dev/null and b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_48.png differ diff --git a/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_icon.ico b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_icon.ico new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2834c9a Binary files /dev/null and b/Application/Icons/App Icon/groot_icon.ico differ diff --git a/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/html.png b/Application/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/html.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/Format Icons/16x16/html.png rename to Application/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/html.png diff --git a/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/markdown.png b/Application/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/markdown.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/Format Icons/16x16/markdown.png rename to Application/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/markdown.png diff --git a/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/pdf.png b/Application/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/pdf.png similarity index 100% rename from Icons/Format Icons/16x16/pdf.png rename to Application/Icons/Format Icons/16x16/pdf.png diff --git a/Icons/Format Icons/LICENSE b/Application/Icons/Format Icons/LICENSE similarity index 100% rename from Icons/Format Icons/LICENSE rename to Application/Icons/Format Icons/LICENSE diff --git a/Application/User/login.txt b/Application/User/login.txt index a07399c..b581b11 100644 --- a/Application/User/login.txt +++ b/Application/User/login.txt @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -fgs -b'\xc5\r\xff\xb0\xd8\x0b\x15\x1a\xaf\xc9\xde\xd1\xb5\xf0D\xd6cA\x84\x17`3\x11\xc4:cH\xb97x\xf7O\x12\r\xb77\x87\xd0\xce\xbec\xb6\xa7\x8c\x08\xceE\xeb\x02\xed\xd4\x9d\xda--q\xdeA\xab\x05\xe0T\xe9\xe7' -b'\x845\xe4\xa47\x1d\x9a\x7f\x87\x94\xf2&/\xe7f\xcbJC\xbb\x99.\xe9\xbdv\xdcI\xe8\xab\xed\x9f~g\xc2J+\xe6\x9b\x93t\xda\x9b]\xa6\x96H#v\x98\\\x1b"C\xb3\xba\xaee\x1e\x1b`.\xd6+qQ' -False +a +b"\xc5x\xb3pe+\x84\xc5\xdd\x99N\xa3\x89a\x86]\x0f\xcf\x1f\x9aIA%e\x7f3\xdc`\xe7j\xa9\x15\xa9\xc8\x8b\xb4\xe0Sb\x92\xa0u\x8b\xe8\xddM\xd6T'\xcdy&\xf9&\xa8\x0b\x1d\x84\xc1\xc1\x01\xf9M\xd0" +b'\xda\x8e\xcci\x15\x15\x9e\xc9|t\xc0\xe3:\x9fb\x0e\xb1n\xd0\x92\xf2kQT\xf6\xa7\x90\xb1N\xb0\x9d\x82\xe2\xf1[o[^\x8dI\xf2\xd4S=\xce\xf5\xd9\xf0E^\x8dD\x07\x99\xd3\x81\xe0\x9d!\x147\xa4\xe7X' +True diff --git a/Application/__main__.py b/Application/__main__.py new file mode 100644 index 0000000..55d7bc4 --- /dev/null +++ b/Application/__main__.py @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +from PySide2 import QtWidgets,QtCore +from Application.mainWindow import Window +import sys + +def main(): + try: + from PyQt5.QtWinExtras import QtWin + myappid = 'mycompany.myproduct.subproduct.version' + QtWin.setCurrentProcessExplicitAppUserModelID(myappid) + except ImportError: + pass + + app = QtWidgets.QApplication(sys.argv) + window = Window() + sys.exit(app.exec_()) + +if __name__ == "__main__": + main() \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Application/__pycache__/__main__.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/__pycache__/__main__.cpython-37.pyc new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f07588 Binary files /dev/null and b/Application/__pycache__/__main__.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/__pycache__/main.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/__pycache__/main.cpython-37.pyc index 5ce1c66..0deb4ff 100644 Binary files a/Application/__pycache__/main.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/__pycache__/main.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/__pycache__/mainWindow.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/__pycache__/mainWindow.cpython-37.pyc index f2dc9e2..8f3123d 100644 Binary files a/Application/__pycache__/mainWindow.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/__pycache__/mainWindow.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/__pycache__/mainWindowFunctions.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/__pycache__/mainWindowFunctions.cpython-37.pyc index dbc6d6b..ccf77a3 100644 Binary files a/Application/__pycache__/mainWindowFunctions.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/__pycache__/mainWindowFunctions.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/__pycache__/resource_rc.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/__pycache__/resource_rc.cpython-37.pyc index 450f9b8..5fbaa03 100644 Binary files a/Application/__pycache__/resource_rc.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/__pycache__/resource_rc.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/fileStructure.json b/Application/fileStructure.json index e2db642..2356059 100644 --- a/Application/fileStructure.json +++ b/Application/fileStructure.json @@ -1 +1,4 @@ -{"Notebooks": {"28042020215654": {"name": "Notebook1", "expanded": {"28042020215703": {"name": "sub-notebook1", "expanded": {"06052020172738": {"name": "note1", "expanded": {"path": "./notes/06052020172738.txt", "randomString": "06052020172738"}}}}, "28042020220402": {"name": "sub-notebook2", "expanded": {"06052020172824": {"name": "note2", "expanded": {"path": "./notes/06052020172824.txt", "randomString": "06052020172824"}}}}}}}, "Uncategorized": {"06052020172515": {"name": "note1", "expanded": {"path": "./notes/06052020172515.txt", "randomString": "06052020172515", "encrypted": "False", "salt": "b\"\\xf1_\\x92\\xfc\\x02\\r\\xdd\\x03\\xa3\\xa5\\x06\\xf6\\x8d'p\\xa4o\\x1c\\x1e\\xf8\\xa1\\xa8\\x16\\xe1\\xb9B\\xcd\\xc0R*\\x12\\xc4c~\\xb2)\\x91R\\x0fP\\xb18.\\x0fQ\\x95\\x81\\xb4\\x94\\x11\\x81\\xfd\\xef\\x15\\xa4\\xe4\\x05\\xaejDvG;z\"", "h_pass": "b'\\xfaM1Y8\\x15 i\\x1d\\xcd\\xec\\xe3m\\x04\\x11\\xa2\\xf7\\x13\\xac\\xca\\xd3\\xc27\\xf9\\xa3\"

New password set

") def openLoginDialog(self): - from GUIs.loginDialog import Ui_loginDialog loginDialog = QtWidgets.QDialog() + loginDialog.setParent(self,QtCore.Qt.Window) ui_loginDialog = Ui_loginDialog() ui_loginDialog.setupUi(loginDialog) ui_loginDialog.buttonBox.button(QtWidgets.QDialogButtonBox.Ok).clicked.connect(lambda: verifyUser(ui_loginDialog.passwordLineEdit.text(),ui_loginDialog.Errortext,loginDialog)) @@ -432,8 +437,8 @@ def changeEncryptionPassword(self): def openFirstLoginDialog(self): - from GUIs.firstLoginDialog import Ui_firstLoginDialog firstLoginDialog = QtWidgets.QDialog() + firstLoginDialog.setParent(self,QtCore.Qt.Window) ui_firstLoginDialog = Ui_firstLoginDialog() ui_firstLoginDialog.setupUi(firstLoginDialog) ui_firstLoginDialog.buttonBox.button(QtWidgets.QDialogButtonBox.Cancel).clicked.connect(lambda:self.closeDialogAndMainWindow(firstLoginDialog)) diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/encryptAllNotes.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/encryptAllNotes.cpython-37.pyc index 6334809..d728780 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/encryptAllNotes.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/encryptAllNotes.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/fileHandling.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/fileHandling.cpython-37.pyc index 8491c68..030ef38 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/fileHandling.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/fileHandling.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/markdownHandling.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/markdownHandling.cpython-37.pyc index 1c6a898..182194a 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/markdownHandling.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/markdownHandling.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/noteHandling.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/noteHandling.cpython-37.pyc index 7b57286..6c5c645 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/noteHandling.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/noteHandling.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/passwordHashing.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/passwordHashing.cpython-37.pyc index 8c97482..1b16128 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/passwordHashing.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/passwordHashing.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/searchInNote.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/searchInNote.cpython-37.pyc index bef635c..2b1c2a4 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/searchInNote.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/searchInNote.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/setPassword.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/setPassword.cpython-37.pyc index d362256..0722814 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/setPassword.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/setPassword.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/treeHandling.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/treeHandling.cpython-37.pyc index ba4314b..bd0d794 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/treeHandling.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/treeHandling.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/__pycache__/userLogin.cpython-37.pyc b/Application/modules/__pycache__/userLogin.cpython-37.pyc index 781ba65..4d8986f 100644 Binary files a/Application/modules/__pycache__/userLogin.cpython-37.pyc and b/Application/modules/__pycache__/userLogin.cpython-37.pyc differ diff --git a/Application/modules/encryptAllNotes.py b/Application/modules/encryptAllNotes.py index 026274a..1c14d89 100644 --- a/Application/modules/encryptAllNotes.py +++ b/Application/modules/encryptAllNotes.py @@ -2,13 +2,13 @@ from PySide2 import QtWidgets -import modules.userLogin -from modules.treeHandling import getJsonTree -from modules.passwordHashing import Hash -from modules.noteHandling import readText,writeText -from modules.encryptNote import AEScipher +import Application.modules.userLogin +from Application.modules.treeHandling import getJsonTree +from Application.modules.passwordHashing import Hash +from Application.modules.noteHandling import readText,writeText +from Application.modules.encryptNote import AEScipher -from GUIs.verifyPasswordDialog import Ui_verifyPasswordDialog +from Application.GUIs.verifyPasswordDialog import Ui_verifyPasswordDialog encNotes = {} @@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def getEncNoteList(): def _encryptDecryptAllNotes(window,encrypt): EDict,notes = getEncNoteList() - userInfo = modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() + userInfo = Application.modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() uPass = userInfo[1] if(encrypt == True): encryptAllNotes(uPass,notes,EDict) @@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def _encryptDecryptAllNotes(window,encrypt): decryptAllNotes(uPass,notes,EDict) window.encryptAll = encrypt userInfo[3] = str(encrypt) - modules.userLogin.storeUserInfoInFile('./User',"login",userInfo) + Application.modules.userLogin.storeUserInfoInFile('./User',"login",userInfo) def openDialog(note): ui_pv = Ui_verifyPasswordDialog() diff --git a/Application/modules/fileHandling.py b/Application/modules/fileHandling.py index b56e6dc..436fae5 100644 --- a/Application/modules/fileHandling.py +++ b/Application/modules/fileHandling.py @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ from PySide2 import QtCore -from modules.encryptNote import AEScipher -import modules.userLogin +import Application.modules.userLogin +from Application.modules.encryptNote import AEScipher class FILE(): _file = None @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def closeFile(self): def getText(self,encryptAll = True): if(encryptAll == True): # decrypt text - userInfo = modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() + userInfo = Application.modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() aes = AEScipher(userInfo[1],self,encrypt = False) print("decrypting from getText method") txt = aes.Decrypt() @@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def saveFile(self,text,encryptAll = True): self._file.seek(0) self._file.truncate() if(encryptAll == True): - userInfo = modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() + userInfo = Application.modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() aes = AEScipher(str(userInfo[1]),self,text,encrypt = True) print("Encrypting from saveFile method") text = aes.Encrypt() diff --git a/Application/modules/markdownHandling.py b/Application/modules/markdownHandling.py index fc2b33f..66c989f 100644 --- a/Application/modules/markdownHandling.py +++ b/Application/modules/markdownHandling.py @@ -1,12 +1,27 @@ -from PySide2 import QtGui, QtWidgets, QtCore, QtPrintSupport import markdown, datetime, shutil -from modules.fileHandling import currentNote -from modules.treeHandling import itemVal, saveUpdatedJson -from modules.userLogin import readUserInfo -from modules.noteHandling import readText -from modules.encryptNote import AEScipher -import pymdownx +import copy import json,os +import pymdownx +from markdown.extensions.sane_lists import SaneListExtension +from markdown.extensions.tables import TableExtension +from markdown.extensions.fenced_code import FencedCodeExtension +from markdown.extensions.nl2br import Nl2BrExtension +from markdown.extensions.footnotes import FootnoteExtension +from markdown.extensions.def_list import DefListExtension +from markdown.extensions.md_in_html import MarkdownInHtmlExtension +from pymdownx.magiclink import MagiclinkExtension +from pymdownx.caret import InsertSupExtension +from pymdownx.smartsymbols import SmartSymbolsExtension +from pymdownx.tilde import DeleteSubExtension + + +from PySide2 import QtGui, QtWidgets, QtCore, QtPrintSupport + +from Application.modules.fileHandling import currentNote +from Application.modules.treeHandling import itemVal, saveUpdatedJson +from Application.modules.userLogin import readUserInfo +from Application.modules.noteHandling import readText +from Application.modules.encryptNote import AEScipher def scrolling(oneBar,twoBar,searchBar): if(not searchBar.hasFocus()): @@ -28,9 +43,44 @@ def viewInMarkdown(md,extensions,markdownView): def mdToHtml(md, _extensions): - html = markdown.markdown(md, extensions = ["sane_lists","tables","fenced_code"] + _extensions, extension_configs = {"pymdownx.tilde":{"subscript":False}}) + html = markdown.markdown(md, extensions = [SaneListExtension(),TableExtension(),FencedCodeExtension()] + strToClassEXt(_extensions), extension_configs = {"pymdownx.tilde":{"subscript":False}}) return html +def strToClassEXt(extensions): + e_idx = [] + if("nl2br" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("nl2br") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,Nl2BrExtension()) + if("footnotes" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("footnotes") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,FootnoteExtension()) + if("def_list" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("def_list") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,DefListExtension()) + if("md_in_html" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("md_in_html") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,MarkdownInHtmlExtension()) + if("pymdownx.caret" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("pymdownx.caret") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,InsertSupExtension()) + if("pymdownx.magiclink" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("pymdownx.magiclink") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,MagiclinkExtension()) + if("pymdownx.smartsymbols" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("pymdownx.smartsymbols") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,SmartSymbolsExtension()) + if("pymdownx.tilde" in extensions): + idx = extensions.index("pymdownx.tilde") + extensions.pop(idx) + extensions.insert(idx,DeleteSubExtension()) + return extensions def imageResize(markdownView): markdownView.moveCursor(QtGui.QTextCursor.Start) @@ -200,13 +250,14 @@ def numList(te): te.setFocus() -def hyperlink(te): +def hyperlink(window): # input name - msg = QtWidgets.QInputDialog() + te = window.ui.plainTextEdit icon = QtGui.QIcon() + dialog = QtWidgets.QInputDialog() icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(":/icons/Icons/32x32/link.png"),QtGui.QIcon.Normal,QtGui.QIcon.Off) - msg.setWindowIcon(icon) - text, ok = msg.getText(None,"Groot","Enter link - ") + text, ok = dialog.getText(window,"Groot","Enter link - ",flags= QtCore.Qt.Dialog) + dialog.setWindowIcon(icon) if ok is True: linkpath = str(text) else: @@ -232,9 +283,11 @@ def datetimenow(te): te.setFocus() -def attachFile(te): +def attachFile(window): + te = window.ui.plainTextEdit if currentNote._open == False: msg = QtWidgets.QMessageBox(QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Information,"Groot","Cannot attach images when no note is currently loaded",QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok) + msg.setParent(window,QtCore.Qt.Window) icon = QtGui.QIcon() icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(":/icons/Icons/32x32/attention.png"),QtGui.QIcon.Normal,QtGui.QIcon.Off) msg.setWindowIcon(icon) @@ -245,9 +298,9 @@ def attachFile(te): if filename == "": return randomString = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%d%m%Y%H%M%S") - if(not os.path.exists("./atch")): - os.makedirs("./atch") - destination = shutil.copyfile(filename,"./atch/" + randomString) + if(not os.path.exists("./Application/atch")): + os.makedirs("./Application/atch") + destination = shutil.copyfile(filename,"./Application/atch/" + randomString) # print(destination) te.insertPlainText("![fileName](" + destination + ")") item = currentNote._item @@ -275,7 +328,7 @@ def copyMarkdownLink(): def pluginHandler(text,check,extensions, configs): - with open("./settings.json","r") as sets: + with open("./Application/settings.json","r") as sets: settings = json.load(sets) plugSets = settings["Plugins"] @@ -373,7 +426,7 @@ def pluginHandler(text,check,extensions, configs): extensions.remove("pymdownx.tilde") del configs["pymdownx.tilde"] - location = "./settings.json" + location = "./Application/settings.json" with open(location,"w") as jsonfile: json.dump(settings,jsonfile) # print("Json Updated") @@ -381,9 +434,11 @@ def pluginHandler(text,check,extensions, configs): extensions+=[ext] -def exportAsPdf(mdView): +def exportAsPdf(window): + mdView = window.ui.mdViewer if ("encrypted" in currentNote._details) and currentNote._details["encrypted"] == "True": msg = QtWidgets.QMessageBox(QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Information,"Groot", "Cannot Export Encrypted Files",QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok) + msg.setParent(window,QtCore.Qt.Window) icon = QtGui.QIcon() icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(":/icons/Icons/32x32/attention.png"),QtGui.QIcon.Normal,QtGui.QIcon.Off) msg.setWindowIcon(icon) @@ -399,9 +454,11 @@ def exportAsPdf(mdView): mdView.document().print_(printer) -def exportAsMarkdown(mdtext): +def exportAsMarkdown(window): + mdtext = window.ui.plainTextEdit.toPlainText() if ("encrypted" in currentNote._details) and currentNote._details["encrypted"] == "True": msg = QtWidgets.QMessageBox(QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Information,"Groot", "Cannot Export Encrypted Files",QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok) + msg.setParent(window,QtCore.Qt.Window) icon = QtGui.QIcon() icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(":/icons/Icons/32x32/attention.png"),QtGui.QIcon.Normal,QtGui.QIcon.Off) msg.setWindowIcon(icon) @@ -415,9 +472,11 @@ def exportAsMarkdown(mdtext): newfile.write(mdtext) -def exportAsHtml(mdtext, extensions): +def exportAsHtml(window, extensions): + mdtext = window.ui.plainTextEdit.toPlainText() if ("encrypted" in currentNote._details) and currentNote._details["encrypted"] == "True": msg = QtWidgets.QMessageBox(QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Information,"Groot", "Cannot Export Encrypted Files",QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok) + msg.setParent(window,QtCore.Qt.Window) icon = QtGui.QIcon() icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(":/icons/Icons/32x32/attention.png"),QtGui.QIcon.Normal,QtGui.QIcon.Off) msg.setWindowIcon(icon) diff --git a/Application/modules/noteHandling.py b/Application/modules/noteHandling.py index bf0c84e..bde1830 100644 --- a/Application/modules/noteHandling.py +++ b/Application/modules/noteHandling.py @@ -1,11 +1,14 @@ -from PySide2 import QtCore, QtWidgets, QtGui +import datetime +import json +import os -from modules.fileHandling import currentNote -from modules.treeHandling import itemVal, saveUpdatedJson -from modules.encryptNote import AEScipher -import modules.userLogin +from PySide2 import QtCore,QtGui,QtWidgets + +from Application.modules.encryptNote import AEScipher +from Application.modules.fileHandling import currentNote +import Application.modules.treeHandling as treeHandling +import Application.modules.userLogin -import json, os, datetime def loadNote(_fileName, _textEdit,encryptAll): loadFileName(currentNote.getFilename(),_fileName) @@ -34,9 +37,10 @@ def pathContainedNotes(diction): return finalList -def addNotebook(item): +def addNotebook(window): # input name - text, ok = QtWidgets.QInputDialog().getText(None,"Groot","Enter the name for new notebook - ") + item = window.ui.treeWidget.currentItem() + text, ok = QtWidgets.QInputDialog().getText(window,"Groot","Enter the name for new notebook - ",flags= QtCore.Qt.Dialog ) if ok is True: if str(text) != "": name = str(text) @@ -45,7 +49,7 @@ def addNotebook(item): else: return - deets = itemVal(item) + deets = treeHandling.itemVal(item) # Make changes to fileStructure randomString = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%d%m%Y%H%M%S") @@ -57,7 +61,7 @@ def addNotebook(item): else: deets[1][deets[0]]["expanded"][randomString] = newdict - saveUpdatedJson(deets[2]) + treeHandling.saveUpdatedJson(deets[2]) # Update treeWidget newItem = QtWidgets.QTreeWidgetItem() @@ -72,7 +76,7 @@ def addNotebook(item): def addNote(item,_plainTextEdit,window): # input name - text, ok = QtWidgets.QInputDialog().getText(None,"Groot","Enter the name for new note - ") + text, ok = QtWidgets.QInputDialog().getText(window,"Groot","Enter the name for new note - ",flags=QtCore.Qt.Dialog) if ok is True: if str(text) != "": name = str(text) @@ -81,22 +85,28 @@ def addNote(item,_plainTextEdit,window): else: return - deets = itemVal(item) + deets = treeHandling.itemVal(item) randomString = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%d%m%Y%H%M%S") - path = "./notes/" + randomString + ".txt" + path = "./Application/notes/" + filename = randomString + ".txt" + + # create notes folder if not exists + if(not os.path.exists(path)): + os.makedirs(path) # Creating file - open(path,'a').close() + open(os.path.join(path,filename),'a').close() + # open(path,'a').close() # encrypt file if(window.encryptAll == True): - userInfo = modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() + userInfo = Application.modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() aes = AEScipher(str(userInfo[1]),currentNote,txt ="",encrypt = True) txt = aes.Encrypt() if(not isinstance(txt,bytes)): print("here") txt = bytes(txt,encoding = 'utf8') - with open(path,'wb') as file: + with open(path+filename,'wb') as file: file.write(txt) file.seek(0) print("Encrypted in add note method") @@ -105,13 +115,13 @@ def addNote(item,_plainTextEdit,window): newdict = {} newdict["name"] = name newdict["expanded"] = {} - newdict["expanded"]["path"] = path + newdict["expanded"]["path"] = path + filename newdict["expanded"]["randomString"] = randomString if item is item.treeWidget().topLevelItem(1): deets[2]["Uncategorized"][randomString] = newdict else: deets[1][deets[0]]["expanded"][randomString] = newdict - saveUpdatedJson(deets[2]) + treeHandling.saveUpdatedJson(deets[2]) # Update treeWidget newItem = QtWidgets.QTreeWidgetItem() @@ -128,14 +138,14 @@ def addNote(item,_plainTextEdit,window): def renameNote(item,col): - deets = itemVal(item) + deets = treeHandling.itemVal(item) dic = deets[1][deets[0]] dic["name"] = item.text(0) - saveUpdatedJson(deets[2]) + treeHandling.saveUpdatedJson(deets[2]) def deleteNote(item, plainTextEdit,filename): - toBeDlt = itemVal(item) + toBeDlt = treeHandling.itemVal(item) # Notes to be deleted notesToBeDeleted = pathContainedNotes(toBeDlt[1][toBeDlt[0]]["expanded"]) if(currentNote._details["path"] in notesToBeDeleted): @@ -151,7 +161,7 @@ def deleteNote(item, plainTextEdit,filename): # all files deleted del toBeDlt[1][toBeDlt[0]] # Updated dictionary - saveUpdatedJson(toBeDlt[2]) + treeHandling.saveUpdatedJson(toBeDlt[2]) # Updated JSON diff --git a/Application/modules/passwordHashing.py b/Application/modules/passwordHashing.py index 55116ec..fbf84c8 100644 --- a/Application/modules/passwordHashing.py +++ b/Application/modules/passwordHashing.py @@ -1,9 +1,9 @@ -import scrypt import os +import hashlib import json -from modules.treeHandling import updateItem -from modules.encryptNote import AEScipher -from modules.noteHandling import writeText +from Application.modules.treeHandling import updateItem +from Application.modules.encryptNote import AEScipher +from Application.modules.noteHandling import writeText def hashPassword(currentNote,currentFileName,password,main_window,datalength= 64,encrypted=True): if(encrypted == True): @@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ def hashPassword(currentNote,currentFileName,password,main_window,datalength= 64 def Hash(password,salt,datalength=64): """Hash password using scrypt""" - hashed_password = scrypt.hash(password,salt) # hash password + hashed_password = hashlib.scrypt(bytes(password,encoding='utf8'),salt =bytes(salt,encoding='utf8'),n = 1<<14,r =8,p=1) + # hashed_password = scrypt.hash(password,salt) # hash password return hashed_password def storePassword(currentNote,currentFileName,h_password,salt): diff --git a/Application/modules/searchInNote.py b/Application/modules/searchInNote.py index 19e7192..f241110 100644 --- a/Application/modules/searchInNote.py +++ b/Application/modules/searchInNote.py @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ from PySide2.QtGui import QTextDocument,QTextCursor from PySide2.QtCore import QRegExp,Qt -from modules.markdownHandling import scrolling +from Application.modules.markdownHandling import scrolling def searchText(ui,cursor = QTextCursor.Start,reversed = False): ui.errorLabel.setText("") diff --git a/Application/modules/setPassword.py b/Application/modules/setPassword.py index c28fa47..0f593b2 100644 --- a/Application/modules/setPassword.py +++ b/Application/modules/setPassword.py @@ -1,17 +1,17 @@ -from PySide2 import QtWidgets +from PySide2 import QtWidgets,QtCore #GUI -from GUIs.passwordDialog import Ui_passwordDialog -from GUIs.verifyPasswordDialog import Ui_verifyPasswordDialog -from GUIs.changePasswordDialog import Ui_changePasswordDialog - -from modules.Exceptions import * -from modules.passwordHashing import hashPassword -from modules.treeHandling import itemVal,_itemVal,updateItem -from modules.encryptNote import AEScipher -from modules.noteHandling import writeText -from modules.fileHandling import currentNote -import modules.userLogin +from Application.GUIs.passwordDialog import Ui_passwordDialog +from Application.GUIs.verifyPasswordDialog import Ui_verifyPasswordDialog +from Application.GUIs.changePasswordDialog import Ui_changePasswordDialog + +import Application.modules.userLogin +from Application.modules.Exceptions import * +from Application.modules.passwordHashing import hashPassword +from Application.modules.treeHandling import itemVal,_itemVal,updateItem +from Application.modules.encryptNote import AEScipher +from Application.modules.noteHandling import writeText +from Application.modules.fileHandling import currentNote class password(object): def __init__(self,Window,ui = None): @@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ def openPasswordDialog(self): else: self.ui_p = Ui_passwordDialog() self.passDialog = QtWidgets.QDialog() + self.passDialog.setParent(self.main_Window,QtCore.Qt.Window) self.ui_p.setupUi(self.passDialog) self.passDialog.show() if(self.currentNote._open == True): @@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ def openVerifyPasswordDialog(self,permanentdecrypt = False): if(self.currentNote._open == True and self.isEncrypted()): self.ui_pv = Ui_verifyPasswordDialog() self.verifyDialog = QtWidgets.QDialog() + self.verifyDialog.setParent(self.main_Window,QtCore.Qt.Window) self.ui_pv.setupUi(self.verifyDialog) self.verifyDialog.show() print("Trying to Decrypt {}".format(self.currentFileName)) @@ -71,6 +73,7 @@ def openChangeEncryptionPasswordDialog(self): self.currentFileName = self.currentNote.getFilename() self.changePasswordDialog = QtWidgets.QDialog() self.ui_p = Ui_changePasswordDialog() + self.changePasswordDialog.setParent(self.main_Window,QtCore.Qt.Window) self.ui_p.setupUi(self.changePasswordDialog) self.ui_p.buttonBox.button(QtWidgets.QDialogButtonBox.Cancel).clicked.connect(lambda:self.closeDialog(self.changePasswordDialog)) self.ui_p.buttonBox.button(QtWidgets.QDialogButtonBox.Ok).clicked.connect(lambda:self.changeEncryptionPassword()) @@ -131,7 +134,7 @@ def decryptAndDisplay(self): aes = AEScipher(self.pass1,self.currentNote,txt = txt,encrypt = False) # Prepare to decrypt the file d_txt = aes.Decrypt() # decrypted text - userinfo =modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() + userinfo = Application.modules.userLogin.readUserInfo() if(userinfo[3] == 'True'): writeText(self.currentNote._details['path'],bytes(d_txt,encoding='utf8'),encrypted = True) # write decrypted text in file diff --git a/Application/modules/treeHandling.py b/Application/modules/treeHandling.py index 25b089a..7e1d890 100644 --- a/Application/modules/treeHandling.py +++ b/Application/modules/treeHandling.py @@ -1,10 +1,13 @@ -from PySide2 import QtWidgets, QtCore,QtGui -from modules.fileHandling import currentNote import json +from PySide2 import QtWidgets, QtCore,QtGui + +from Application.modules.fileHandling import currentNote +from Application.modules.noteHandling import loadNote + def getJsonTree(): - location = "../Application/fileStructure.json" + location = "./Application/fileStructure.json" structDict = "" with open(location,"r") as jsonfile: structDict = json.load(jsonfile) @@ -12,7 +15,7 @@ def getJsonTree(): def saveUpdatedJson(structDict): - location = "../Application/fileStructure.json" + location = "./Application/fileStructure.json" with open(location,"w") as jsonfile: json.dump(structDict,jsonfile) @@ -127,7 +130,6 @@ def noteLoader(ui,encryptAll): if(note[0]): currentNote.openFile(item,note[1]) disableEncryptionIfEncrypted(_encryptionButton,_decryptionButton,_permanentDecrypt,_changePasswordButton) - from modules.noteHandling import loadNote loadNote(_fileName,_textEdit,encryptAll) def disableEncryptionIfEncrypted(encryptionButton,decryptionButton,permanentDecrypt,changePasswordButton): diff --git a/Application/modules/userLogin.py b/Application/modules/userLogin.py index 5bd2721..8d91c4e 100644 --- a/Application/modules/userLogin.py +++ b/Application/modules/userLogin.py @@ -1,18 +1,18 @@ import os -from modules.Exceptions import * -import modules.passwordHashing -import modules.encryptAllNotes +import Application.modules.encryptAllNotes +import Application.modules.passwordHashing +from Application.modules.Exceptions import * def setUsernameAndPassword(username,pas,rpas,dialog = None,store = True): if(isValidPassword(pas,rpas) == True): if (dialog is not None): dialog.accept() - salt = modules.passwordHashing.generateSalt() - h_pass = modules.passwordHashing.Hash(pas,salt) # bytes + salt = Application.modules.passwordHashing.generateSalt() + h_pass = Application.modules.passwordHashing.Hash(pas,salt) # bytes if(store == True): userInfo = [username,str(h_pass),salt,"True"] - storeUserInfoInFile('./User',"login",userInfo) + storeUserInfoInFile('./Application/User',"login",userInfo) return (str(h_pass),salt) @@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def storeUserInfoInFile(path,filename,userInfo): def verifyUser(password,label,dialog = None): (username,h_pass,salt,encryptAll) = readUserInfo() - enteredH_pass = modules.passwordHashing.Hash(password,salt) + enteredH_pass = Application.modules.passwordHashing.Hash(password,salt) if(str(enteredH_pass) == h_pass): print("user verified") MSG = "

Correct password

" @@ -42,7 +42,9 @@ def verifyUser(password,label,dialog = None): return False def readUserInfo(): - path = './User/login.txt' + path = './Application/User/login.txt' + if(not os.path.exists(path)): + os.makedirs(path) with open(path,"r") as file: return file.read().strip().split('\n') @@ -58,12 +60,12 @@ def isValidPassword(pass1,pass2): def changePassword(h_pass,salt): - EncDict,notes = modules.encryptAllNotes.getEncNoteList() + EncDict,notes = Application.modules.encryptAllNotes.getEncNoteList() userInfo = readUserInfo() oldPass = userInfo[1] if(userInfo[3] == 'True'): - modules.encryptAllNotes.decryptAllNotes(oldPass,notes,EncDict) # decrypt all notes using old password - modules.encryptAllNotes.encryptAllNotes(h_pass,notes,EncDict) # encrypt all notes using new password + Application.modules.encryptAllNotes.decryptAllNotes(oldPass,notes,EncDict) # decrypt all notes using old password + Application.modules.encryptAllNotes.encryptAllNotes(h_pass,notes,EncDict) # encrypt all notes using new password userInfo[1] = h_pass userInfo[2] = salt storeUserInfoInFile('./User',"login",userInfo) # store new pass diff --git a/Application/notes/06052020172515.txt b/Application/notes/06052020172515.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fb68695..0000000 --- a/Application/notes/06052020172515.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,320 +0,0 @@ -![fileName](./atch/08052020021942)7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The -Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde, -Illustrated by Wallace Goldsmith -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Application/notes/06052020172738.txt b/Application/notes/06052020172738.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 65d107a..0000000 --- a/Application/notes/06052020172738.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,147660 +0,0 @@ -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The -Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde, -Illustrated by Wallace Goldsmith -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 9/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who -did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was -always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood-stain, and very nearly cried the -morning it was emerald-green. -The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone -to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down-stairs, -they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had -fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high-backed chair was the Canterville ghost, -rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having -brought their pea-shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that -accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing- -master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon -him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up -with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington -Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness. On reaching the top -of the staircase he recovered himself, and determined to give his celebrated peal of -demoniac laughter. This he had on more than one occasion found extremely useful. It was -said to have turned Lord Raker's wig grey in a single night, and had certainly made three -of Lady Canterville's French governesses give warning before their month was up. He -accordingly laughed his most horrible laugh, till the old vaulted roof rang and rang again, -but hardly had the fearful echo died away when a door opened, and Mrs. Otis came out -in a light blue dressing-gown. "I am afraid you are far from well," she said, "and have -brought you a bottle of Doctor Dobell's tincture. If it is indigestion, you will find it a most -excellent remedy." The ghost glared at her in fury, and began at once to make -preparations for turning himself into a large black dog, an accomplishment for which he -was justly renowned, and to which the family doctor always attributed the permanent -idiocy of Lord Canterville's uncle, the Hon. Thomas Horton. The sound of approaching -footsteps, however, made him hesitate in his fell purpose, so he contented himself with -becoming faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the -twins had come up to him. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 10/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -On reaching his room he entirely broke down, and became a prey to the most violent -agitation. The vulgarity of the twins, and the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, were naturally -extremely annoying, but what really distressed him most was that he had been unable to -wear the suit of mail. He had hoped that even modern Americans would be thrilled by the -sight of a Spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason, at least out of respect for -their natural poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had -whiled away many a weary hour when the Cantervilles were up in town. Besides it was -his own suit. He had worn it with great success at the Kenilworth tournament, and had -been highly complimented on it by no less a person than the Virgin Queen herself. Yet -when he had put it on, he had been completely overpowered by the weight of the huge -breastplate and steel casque, and had fallen heavily on the stone pavement, barking both -his knees severely, and bruising the knuckles of his right hand. -For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, -except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair. However, by taking great care of himself, -he recovered, and resolved to make a third attempt to frighten the United States Minister -and his family. He selected Friday, August 17th, for his appearance, and spent most of -that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat -with a red feather, a winding-sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a rusty dagger. -Towards evening a violent storm of rain came on, and the wind was so high that all the -windows and doors in the old house shook and rattled. In fact, it was just such weather -as he loved. His plan of action was this. He was to make his way quietly to Washington -Otis's room, gibber at him from the foot of the bed, and stab himself three times in the -throat to the sound of low music. He bore Washington a special grudge, being quite -aware that it was he who was in the habit of removing the famous Canterville blood-stain -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 11/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -by means of Pinkerton's Paragon Detergent. Having reduced the reckless and foolhardy -youth to a condition of abject terror, he was then to proceed to the room occupied by the -United States Minister and his wife, and there to place a clammy hand on Mrs. Otis's -forehead, while he hissed into her trembling husband's ear the awful secrets of the -charnel-house. With regard to little Virginia, he had not quite made up his mind. She had -never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle. A few hollow groans from the -wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he -might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers. As for the twins, he was -quite determined to teach them a lesson. The first thing to be done was, of course, to sit -upon their chests, so as to produce the stifling sensation of nightmare. Then, as their beds -were quite close to each other, to stand between them in the form of a green, icy-cold -corpse, till they became paralyzed with fear, and finally, to throw off the winding-sheet, -and crawl round the room, with white, bleached bones and one rolling eyeball, in the -character of "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton," a rôle in which he had on more -than one occasion produced a great effect, and which he considered quite equal to his -famous part of "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery." -At half-past ten -he heard the family -going to bed. For -some time he was -disturbed by wild -shrieks of laughter -from the twins, -who, with the light- -hearted gaiety of -schoolboys, were -evidently amusing -themselves before -they retired to rest, -but at a quarter- -past eleven all was -still, and, as -midnight sounded, -he sallied forth. -The owl beat -against the -window-panes, the -raven croaked -from the old yew- -tree, and the wind -wandered moaning -round the house -like a lost soul; but "ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -the Otis family -slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the -steady snoring of the Minister for the United States. He stepped stealthily out of the -wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in -a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 12/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold. On and on he glided, like an evil -shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed. Once he thought he heard -something call, and stopped; but it was only the baying of a dog from the Red Farm, and -he went on, muttering strange sixteenth-century curses, and ever and anon brandishing the -rusty dagger in the midnight air. Finally he reached the corner of the passage that led to -luckless Washington's room. For a moment he paused there, the wind blowing his long -grey locks about his head, and twisting into grotesque and fantastic folds the nameless -horror of the dead man's shroud. Then the clock struck the quarter, and he felt the time -was come. He chuckled to himself, and turned the corner; but no sooner had he done so -than, with a piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and hid his blanched face in his long, bony -hands. Right in front of him was standing a horrible spectre, motionless as a carven image, -and monstrous as a madman's dream! Its head was bald and burnished; its face round, -and fat, and white; and hideous laughter seemed to have writhed its features into an -eternal grin. From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth was a wide well of -fire, and a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with its silent snows the Titan form. -On its breast was a placard with strange writing in antique characters, some scroll of -shame it seemed, some record of wild sins, some awful calendar of crime, and, with its -right hand, it bore aloft a falchion of gleaming steel. -Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a -second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long -winding-sheet as he sped down the corridor, and finally dropping the rusty dagger into the -Minister's jack-boots, where it was found in the morning by the butler. Once in the -privacy of his own apartment, he flung himself down on a small pallet-bed, and hid his -face under the clothes. After a time, however, the brave old Canterville spirit asserted -itself, and he determined to go and speak to the other ghost as soon as it was daylight. -Accordingly, just as the dawn was touching the hills with silver, he returned towards the -spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts -were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with -the twins. On reaching the spot, however, a terrible sight met his gaze. Something had -evidently happened to the spectre, for the light had entirely faded from its hollow eyes, the -gleaming falchion had fallen from its hand, and it was leaning up against the wall in a -strained and uncomfortable attitude. He rushed forward and seized it in his arms, when, to -his horror, the head slipped off and rolled on the floor, the body assumed a recumbent -posture, and he found himself clasping a white dimity bed-curtain, with a sweeping-brush, -a kitchen cleaver, and a hollow turnip lying at his feet! Unable to understand this curious -transformation, he clutched the placard with feverish haste, and there, in the grey morning -light, he read these fearful words:— -YE OTIS GHOSTE -Ye Onlie True and Originale Spook, -Beware of Ye Imitationes. -All others are counterfeite. -The whole thing flashed across him. He had been tricked, foiled, and out-witted! The old -Canterville look came into his eyes; he ground his toothless gums together; and, raising his -withered hands high above his head, swore according to the picturesque phraseology of -the antique school, that, when Chanticleer had sounded twice his merry horn, deeds of -blood would be wrought, and murder walk abroad with silent feet. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 13/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Hardly had he finished this awful oath when, from the red-tiled roof of a distant -homestead, a cock crew. He laughed a long, low, bitter laugh, and waited. Hour after -hour he waited, but the cock, for some strange reason, did not crow again. Finally, at -half-past seven, the arrival of the housemaids made him give up his fearful vigil, and he -stalked back to his room, thinking of his vain oath and baffled purpose. There he -consulted several books of ancient chivalry, of which he was exceedingly fond, and found -that, on every occasion on which this oath had been used, Chanticleer had always -crowed a second time. "Perdition seize the naughty fowl," he muttered, "I have seen the -day when, with my stout spear, I would have run him through the gorge, and made him -crow for me an 'twere in death!" He then retired to a comfortable lead coffin, and stayed -there till evening. -IV -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -he next day the ghost was very weak and tired. The terrible excitement of the -T last four weeks was beginning to have its effect. His nerves were completely -shattered, and he started at the slightest noise. For five days he kept his room, -and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. If -the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 14/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic -value of sensuous phenomena. The question of phantasmic apparitions, and the -development of astral bodies, was of course quite a different matter, and really not under -his control. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber -from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month, and he did -not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations. It is quite true that his life -had been very evil, but, upon the other hand, he was most conscientious in all things -connected with the supernatural. For the next three Saturdays, accordingly, he traversed -the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock, taking every possible -precaution against being either heard or seen. He removed his boots, trod as lightly as -possible on the old worm-eaten boards, wore a large black velvet cloak, and was careful -to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains. I am bound to acknowledge that it -was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of -protection. However, one night, while the family were at dinner, he slipped into Mr. Otis's -bedroom and carried off the bottle. He felt a little humiliated at first, but afterwards was -sensible enough to see that there was a great deal to be said for the invention, and, to a -certain degree, it served his purpose. Still in spite of everything he was not left -unmolested. Strings were continually being stretched across the corridor, over which he -tripped in the dark, and on one occasion, while dressed for the part of "Black Isaac, or -the Huntsman of Hogley Woods," he met with a severe fall, through treading on a butter- -slide, which the twins had constructed from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the -top of the oak staircase. This last insult so enraged him, that he resolved to make one final -effort to assert his dignity and social position, and determined to visit the insolent young -Etonians the next night in his celebrated character of "Reckless Rupert, or the Headless -Earl." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 15/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM." -He had not appeared in this disguise for more than seventy years; in fact, not since he -had so frightened pretty Lady Barbara Modish by means of it, that she suddenly broke -off her engagement with the present Lord Canterville's grandfather, and ran away to -Gretna Green with handsome Jack Castletown, declaring that nothing in the world would -induce her to marry into a family that allowed such a horrible phantom to walk up and -down the terrace at twilight. Poor Jack was afterwards shot in a duel by Lord Canterville -on Wandsworth Common, and Lady Barbara died of a broken heart at Tunbridge Wells -before the year was out, so, in every way, it had been a great success. It was, however -an extremely difficult "make-up," if I may use such a theatrical expression in connection -with one of the greatest mysteries of the supernatural, or, to employ a more scientific -term, the higher-natural world, and it took him fully three hours to make his preparations. -At last everything was ready, and he was very pleased with his appearance. The big -leather riding-boots that went with the dress were just a little too large for him, and he -could only find one of the two horse-pistols, but, on the whole, he was quite satisfied, and -at a quarter-past one he glided out of the wainscoting and crept down the corridor. On -reaching the room occupied by the twins, which I should mention was called the Blue Bed -Chamber, on account of the colour of its hangings, he found the door just ajar. Wishing to -make an effective entrance, he flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell right -down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just missing his left shoulder by a couple of -inches. At the same moment he heard stifled shrieks of laughter proceeding from the four- -post bed. The shock to his nervous system was so great that he fled back to his room as -hard as he could go, and the next day he was laid up with a severe cold. The only thing -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 16/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -that at all consoled him in the whole affair was the fact that he had not brought his head -with him, for, had he done so, the consequences might have been very serious. -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -He now gave up all hope of ever frightening this rude American family, and contented -himself, as a rule, with creeping about the passages in list slippers, with a thick red muffler -round his throat for fear of draughts, and a small arquebuse, in case he should be -attacked by the twins. The final blow he received occurred on the 19th of September. He -had gone down-stairs to the great entrance-hall, feeling sure that there, at any rate, he -would be quite unmolested, and was amusing himself by making satirical remarks on the -large Saroni photographs of the United States Minister and his wife which had now taken -the place of the Canterville family pictures. He was simply but neatly clad in a long -shroud, spotted with churchyard mould, had tied up his jaw with a strip of yellow linen, -and carried a small lantern and a sexton's spade. In fact, he was dressed for the character -of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most -remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to -remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It -was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no -one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were -any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 17/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in -his ear. -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES." -Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for -the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden- -syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to -bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had -to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a -terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair. -After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for -him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great -annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident -that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear. Mr. Otis consequently -resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been -engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clam-bake, which amazed the -whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national -games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke -of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase. It -was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter -to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, -and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife. -The Otises, however, were deceived, for the ghost was still in the house, and though -now almost an invalid, was by no means ready to let matters rest, particularly as he heard -that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire, whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 18/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Stilton, had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice -with the Canterville ghost, and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card- -room in such a helpless paralytic state that, though he lived on to a great age, he was -never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes." The story was well known at the -time, though, of course, out of respect to the feelings of the two noble families, every -attempt was made to hush it up, and a full account of all the circumstances connected with -it will be found in the third volume of Lord Tattle's Recollections of the Prince Regent -and his Friends. The ghost, then, was naturally very anxious to show that he had not lost -his influence over the Stiltons, with whom, indeed, he was distantly connected, his own -first cousin having been married en secondes noces to the Sieur de Bulkeley, from whom, -as every one knows, the Dukes of Cheshire are lineally descended. Accordingly, he made -arrangements for appearing to Virginia's little lover in his celebrated impersonation of "The -Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine," a performance so horrible that when old -Lady Startup saw it, which she did on one fatal New Year's Eve, in the year 1764, she -went off into the most piercing shrieks, which culminated in violent apoplexy, and died in -three days, after disinheriting the Cantervilles, who were her nearest relations, and leaving -all her money to her London apothecary. At the last moment, however, his terror of the -twins prevented his leaving his room, and the little Duke slept in peace under the great -feathered canopy in the Royal Bedchamber, and dreamed of Virginia. -V -few days after this, Virginia and her curly-haired cavalier went out riding on -A Brockley meadows, where she tore her habit so badly in getting through a -hedge that, on their return home, she made up her mind to go up by the back -staircase so as not to be seen. As she was running past the Tapestry Chamber, the door -of which happened to be open, she fancied she saw some one inside, and thinking it was -her mother's maid, who sometimes used to bring her work there, looked in to ask her to -mend her habit. To her immense surprise, however, it was the Canterville Ghost himself! -He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold of the yellowing trees fly through -the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on -his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression. Indeed, so forlorn, and -so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run -away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort -him. So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her -presence till she spoke to him. -"I am so sorry for you," she said, "but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, -and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." -"It is absurd asking me to behave myself," he answered, looking round in astonishment -at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, "quite absurd. I must rattle my -chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is -my only reason for existing." -"It is no reason at all for existing, and you know you have been very wicked. Mrs. -Umney told us, the first day we arrived here, that you had killed your wife." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 19/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Well, I quite admit it," said the Ghost, petulantly, "but it was a purely family matter, -and concerned no one else." -"It is very wrong to kill any one," said Virginia, who at times had a sweet puritan -gravity, caught from some old New England ancestor. -"Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics! My wife was very plain, never had my -ruffs properly starched, and knew nothing about cookery. Why, there was a buck I had -shot in Hogley Woods, a magnificent pricket, and do you know how she had it sent to -table? However, it is no matter now, for it is all over, and I don't think it was very nice of -her brothers to starve me to death, though I did kill her." -"Starve you to death? Oh, Mr. Ghost—I mean Sir Simon, are you hungry? I have a -sandwich in my case. Would you like it?" -"No, thank you, I never eat anything now; but it is very kind of you, all the same, and -you are much nicer than the rest of your horrid, rude, vulgar, dishonest family." -"Stop!" cried Virginia, stamping her foot, "it is you who are rude, and horrid, and -vulgar, and as for dishonesty, you know you stole the paints out of my box to try and -furbish up that ridiculous blood-stain in the library. First you took all my reds, including -the vermilion, and I couldn't do any more sunsets, then you took the emerald-green and -the chrome-yellow, and finally I had nothing left but indigo and Chinese white, and could -only do moonlight scenes, which are always depressing to look at, and not at all easy to -paint. I never told on you, though I was very much annoyed, and it was most ridiculous, -the whole thing; for who ever heard of emerald-green blood?" -"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult -thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon -Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, -that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very -bluest in England; but I know you Americans don't care for things of this kind." -"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve -your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there -is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom -House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great -success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have -a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost." -"I don't think I should like America." -"I suppose because we have no ruins and no curiosities," said Virginia, satirically. -"No ruins! no curiosities!" answered the Ghost; "you have your navy and your -manners." -"Good evening; I will go and ask papa to get the twins an extra week's holiday." -"Please don't go, Miss Virginia," he cried; "I am so lonely and so unhappy, and I really -don't know what to do. I want to go to sleep and I cannot." -"That's quite absurd! You have merely to go to bed and blow out the candle. It is very -difficult sometimes to keep awake, especially at church, but there is no difficulty at all -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 20/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -about sleeping. Why, even babies know how to do that, and they are not very clever." -"I have not slept for three hundred years," he said sadly, and Virginia's beautiful blue -eyes opened in wonder; "for three hundred years I have not slept, and I am so tired." -Virginia grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves. She came -towards him, and kneeling down at his side, looked up into his old withered face. -"Poor, poor Ghost," she murmured; "have you no place where you can sleep?" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a -little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the -hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the -cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the -sleepers." -Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands. -"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered. -"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses -waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. -To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the -portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is." -Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was -silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream. -Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 21/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?" -"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know it quite well. It is painted in curious -black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines: -"'When a golden girl can win -Prayer from out the lips of sin, -When the barren almond bears, -And a little child gives away its tears, -Then shall all the house be still -And peace come to Canterville.' -But I don't know what they mean." -"They mean," he said, sadly, "that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have -no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have -always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the angel of death will have mercy on me. You -will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they -will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail." -Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked -down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange -light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy -on you." -He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old- -fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, -but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green -tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny -hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go back!" but the -ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals -with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and -murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost -glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the -room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her -eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of -her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. -"Quick, quick," cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting -had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty. -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 22/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -VI -bout ten minutes later, the bell rang for tea, and, as Virginia did not come -A down, Mrs. Otis sent up one of the footmen to tell her. After a little time he -returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. As she was in -the habit of going out to the garden every evening to get flowers for the dinner-table, Mrs. -Otis was not at all alarmed at first, but when six o'clock struck, and Virginia did not -appear, she became really agitated, and sent the boys out to look for her, while she -herself and Mr. Otis searched every room in the house. At half-past six the boys came -back and said that they could find no trace of their sister anywhere. They were all now in -the greatest state of excitement, and did not know what to do, when Mr. Otis suddenly -remembered that, some few days before, he had given a band of gipsies permission to -camp in the park. He accordingly at once set off for Blackfell Hollow, where he knew -they were, accompanied by his eldest son and two of the farm-servants. The little Duke -of Cheshire, who was perfectly frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be allowed to go too, -but Mr. Otis would not allow him, as he was afraid there might be a scuffle. On arriving at -the spot, however, he found that the gipsies had gone, and it was evident that their -departure had been rather sudden, as the fire was still burning, and some plates were lying -on the grass. Having sent off Washington and the two men to scour the district, he ran -home, and despatched telegrams to all the police inspectors in the county, telling them to -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 23/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -look out for a little girl who had been kidnapped by tramps or gipsies. He then ordered -his horse to be brought round, and, after insisting on his wife and the three boys sitting -down to dinner, rode off down the Ascot road with a groom. He had hardly, however, -gone a couple of miles, when he heard somebody galloping after him, and, looking round, -saw the little Duke coming up on his pony, with his face very flushed, and no hat. "I'm -awfully sorry, Mr. Otis," gasped out the boy, "but I can't eat any dinner as long as -Virginia is lost. Please don't be angry with me; if you had let us be engaged last year, -there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't -go! I won't go!" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young scapegrace, and was a -good deal touched at his devotion to Virginia, so leaning down from his horse, he patted -him kindly on the shoulders, and said, "Well, Cecil, if you won't go back, I suppose you -must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot." -"Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!" cried the little Duke, laughing, and they galloped -on to the railway station. There Mr. Otis inquired of the station-master if any one -answering to the description of Virginia had been seen on the platform, but could get no -news of her. The station-master, however, wired up and down the line, and assured him -that a strict watch would be kept for her, and, after having bought a hat for the little Duke -from a linen-draper, who was just putting up his shutters, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a -village about four miles away, which he was told was a well-known haunt of the gipsies, -as there was a large common next to it. Here they roused up the rural policeman, but -could get no information from him, and, after riding all over the common, they turned their -horses' heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, dead-tired and -almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate- -house with lanterns, as the avenue was very dark. Not the slightest trace of Virginia had -been discovered. The gipsies had been caught on Brockley meadows, but she was not -with them, and they had explained their sudden departure by saying that they had -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 24/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, -and had gone off in a hurry for fear -they should be late. Indeed, they -had been quite distressed at -hearing of Virginia's -disappearance, as they were very -grateful to Mr. Otis for having -allowed them to camp in his park, -and four of their number had -stayed behind to help in the -search. The carp-pond had been -dragged, and the whole Chase -thoroughly gone over, but without -any result. It was evident that, for -that night at any rate, Virginia was -lost to them; and it was in a state -of the deepest depression that Mr. -Otis and the boys walked up to -the house, the groom following -behind with the two horses and the -pony. In the hall they found a -group of frightened servants, and -lying on a sofa in the library was -poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of her -mind with terror and anxiety, and -having her forehead bathed with -eau de cologne by the old -housekeeper. Mr. Otis at once -insisted on her having something to -eat, and ordered up supper for the -whole party. It was a melancholy -meal, as hardly any one spoke, -and even the twins were -awestruck and subdued, as they -were very fond of their sister. -When they had finished, Mr. Otis, -in spite of the entreaties of the little -Duke, ordered them all to bed, -saying that nothing more could be -done that night, and that he would -telegraph in the morning to -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -Scotland Yard for some detectives -to be sent down immediately. Just -as they were passing out of the dining-room, midnight began to boom from the clock -tower, and when the last stroke sounded they heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry; a -dreadful peal of thunder shook the house, a strain of unearthly music floated through the -air, a panel at the top of the staircase flew back with a loud noise, and out on the landing, -looking very pale and white, with a little casket in her hand, stepped Virginia. In a -moment they had all rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis clasped her passionately in her arms, the -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 25/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -Duke smothered her with violent kisses, and the twins executed a wild war-dance round -the group. -"Good heavens! child, where have you been?" said Mr. Otis, rather angrily, thinking -that she had been playing some foolish trick on them. "Cecil and I have been riding all -over the country looking for you, and your mother has been frightened to death. You -must never play these practical jokes any more." -"Except on the Ghost! except on the Ghost!" shrieked the twins, as they capered -about. -"My own darling, thank God you are found; you must never leave my side again," -murmured Mrs. Otis, as she kissed the trembling child, and smoothed the tangled gold of -her hair. -"Papa," said Virginia, quietly, "I have been with the Ghost. He is dead, and you must -come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had -done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died." -The whole family gazed at her in mute amazement, but she was quite grave and serious; -and, turning round, she led them through the opening in the wainscoting down a narrow -secret corridor, Washington following with a lighted candle, which he had caught up from -the table. Finally, they came to a great oak door, studded with rusty nails. When Virginia -touched it, it swung back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low -room, with a vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window. Imbedded in the wall was a -huge iron ring, and chained to it was a gaunt skeleton, that was stretched out at full length -on the stone floor, and seemed to be trying to grasp with its long fleshless fingers an old- -fashioned trencher and ewer, that were placed just out of its reach. The jug had evidently -been once filled with water, as it was covered inside with green mould. There was nothing -on the trencher but a pile of dust. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding -her little hands together, began to pray silently, while the rest of the party looked on in -wonder at the terrible tragedy whose secret was now disclosed to them. -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window -to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. "Hallo! the old -withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 26/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"God has forgiven him," said Virginia, gravely, as she rose to her feet, and a beautiful -light seemed to illumine her face. -"What an angel you are!" cried the young Duke, and he put his arm round her neck, -and kissed her. -VII -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -our days after these curious incidents, a funeral started from Canterville Chase -F at about eleven o'clock at night. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, -each of which carried on its head a great tuft of nodding ostrich-plumes, and the -leaden coffin was covered by a rich purple pall, on which was embroidered in gold the -Canterville coat-of-arms. By the side of the hearse and the coaches walked the servants -with lighted torches, and the whole procession was wonderfully impressive. Lord -Canterville was the chief mourner, having come up specially from Wales to attend the -funeral, and sat in the first carriage along with little Virginia. Then came the United States -Minister and his wife, then Washington and the three boys, and in the last carriage was -Mrs. Umney. It was generally felt that, as she had been frightened by the ghost for more -than fifty years of her life, she had a right to see the last of him. A deep grave had been -dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read -in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was -over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, -extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 27/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms. -As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver -the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of -the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she -hardly spoke a word during the drive home. -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview -with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly -magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really -a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis -felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them. -"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as -well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in -your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard -them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain -strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to -say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury. I am also informed by Mrs. -Otis, who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art,—having had the privilege of -spending several winters in Boston when she was a girl,—that these gems are of great -monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price. Under these -circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognize how impossible it -would be for me to allow them to remain in the possession of any member of my family; -and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 28/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been -brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. -Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain -the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, -and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her -request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine -expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the -fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had -returned from a trip to Athens." -Lord Canterville listened very gravely to the worthy Minister's speech, pulling his grey -moustache now and then to hide an involuntary smile, and when Mr. Otis had ended, he -shook him cordially by the hand, and said: "My dear sir, your charming little daughter -rendered my unlucky ancestor, Sir Simon, a very important service, and I and my family -are much indebted to her for her marvellous courage and pluck. The jewels are clearly -hers, and, egad, I believe that if I were heartless enough to take them from her, the -wicked old fellow would be out of his grave in a fortnight, leading me the devil of a life. -As for their being heirlooms, nothing is an heirloom that is not so mentioned in a will or -legal document, and the existence of these jewels has been quite unknown. I assure you I -have no more claim on them than your butler, and when Miss Virginia grows up, I dare -say she will be pleased to have pretty things to wear. Besides, you forget, Mr. Otis, that -you took the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, and anything that belonged to the ghost -passed at once into your possession, as, whatever activity Sir Simon may have shown in -the corridor at night, in point of law he was really dead, and you acquired his property by -purchase." -Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to -reconsider his decision, but the good-natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the -Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in -the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first -drawing-room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of -admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little -American girls, and was married to her boy-lover as soon as he came of age. They were -both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the -match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for -one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner- -parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely -fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his -own words, "was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a -pleasure-loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be -forgotten." His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when -he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his -arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England. -The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville -Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely -churchyard by the pine-woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the -inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it -simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The -Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 29/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old -abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet -smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette -away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, "Virginia, a wife should have no secrets -from her husband." -"Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you." -"Yes, you have," he answered, smiling, "you have never told me what happened to you -when you were locked up with the ghost." -"I have never told any one, Cecil," said Virginia, gravely. -"I know that, but you might tell me." -"Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. -Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death -signifies, and why Love is stronger than both." -The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly. -"You can have your secret as long as I have your heart," he murmured. -"You have always had that, Cecil." -"And you will tell our children some day, won't you?" -Virginia blushed. - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** -******* This file should be named 14522-h.txt or 14522-h.zip ******* -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/2/14522 -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United -States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it -in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net -Title: The Canterville Ghost -Author: Oscar Wilde -Release Date: December 30, 2004 [eBook #14522] -Most recently updated: August 2, 2005 -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANTERVILLE -GHOST*** - -E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Karina Aleksandrova, -and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -The Canterville Ghost - -An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase -when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James - -By -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 1/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -WILDE -Illustrated by -WALLACE GOLDSMITH -1906 -John W. Luce and Company -Boston and London - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -"HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -"THE TWINS ... AT ONCE DISCHARGED TWO PELLETS ON HIM" -"ITS HEAD WAS BALD AND BURNISHED" -"HE MET WITH A SEVERE FALL" -"A HEAVY JUG OF WATER FELL RIGHT DOWN ON HIM" -"MAKING SATIRICAL REMARKS ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS" -"SUDDENLY THERE LEAPED OUT TWO FIGURES" -"'POOR, POOR GHOST,' SHE MURMURED; 'HAVE YOU NO PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP?'" -"THE GHOST GLIDED ON MORE SWIFTLY" -"HE HEARD SOMEBODY GALLOPING AFTER HIM" -"OUT ON THE LANDING STEPPED VIRGINIA" -"CHAINED TO IT WAS A GAUNT SKELETON" -"BY THE SIDE OF THE HEARSE AND THE COACHES WALKED THE SERVANTS WITH -LIGHTED TORCHES" -"THE MOON CAME OUT FROM BEHIND A CLOUD" -I -hen Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, -W every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at -all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a -man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 2/36 - -[pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -when they came to discuss terms. -"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my -grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she -never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was -dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by -several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. -Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. After the unfortunate -accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady -Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that -came from the corridor and the library." -"My Lord," answered the Minister, "I will take the furniture and the ghost at a -valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can -buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your -best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in -Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the -road as a show." -"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "though it may have resisted -the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, -since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of -our family." -"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such -thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the -British aristocracy." -"You are certainly very natural in America," answered Lord Canterville, who did not -quite understand Mr. Otis's last observation, "and if you don't mind a ghost in the house, it -is all right. Only you must remember I warned you." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 3/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -MISS VIRGINIA E. OTIS -A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the -Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia -R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very -handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many American -ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the -impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this -error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. -Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact -that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, -language. Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, -which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who -had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport -Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent -dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was -extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a -fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and -had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length -and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of -Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night -by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called -"The Star and Stripes," as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, -and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family. -As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 4/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -had telegraphed for -a waggonette to -meet them, and -they started on their -drive in high spirits. -It was a lovely July -evening, and the air -was delicate with -the scent of the -pinewoods. Now -and then they heard -a wood-pigeon -brooding over its -own sweet voice, -or saw, deep in the -rustling fern, the -burnished breast of -the pheasant. Little -squirrels peered at -them from the -beech-trees as they -went by, and the -rabbits scudded -away through the -brushwood and "HAD ONCE RACED OLD LORD BILTON ON HER PONY" -over the mossy -knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, -however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to -hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before -they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. -Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, -with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at -Lady Canterville's earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She -made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned -manner, "I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase." Following her, they passed through -the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of -which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after -taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited -on them. -Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, -and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid -something has been spilt there." -"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on -that spot." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 5/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ON THAT SPOT" -"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It -must be removed at once." -The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the -blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own -husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and -disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been -discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much -admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed." -"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover -and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper -could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a -small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood- -stain could be seen. -"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his -admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit -up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. -Umney fainted. -"What a monstrous climate!" said the American Minister, calmly, as he lit a long -cheroot. "I guess the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent -weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for -England." -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 6/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -"My dear Hiram," cried Mrs. Otis, "what can we do with a woman who faints?" -"Charge it to her like breakages," answered the Minister; "she won't faint after that;" -and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. There was no doubt, however, that -she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to beware of some trouble -coming to the house. -"I have seen things with my own eyes, sir," she said, "that would make any Christian's -hair stand on end, and many and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the -awful things that are done here." Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly assured the -honest soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of -Providence on her new master and mistress, and making arrangements for an increase of -salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. -II -he storm raged fiercely all that night, but nothing of particular note occurred. -T The next morning, however, when they came down to breakfast, they found the -terrible stain of blood once again on the floor. "I don't think it can be the fault of -the Paragon Detergent," said Washington, "for I have tried it with everything. It must be -the ghost." He accordingly rubbed out the stain a second time, but the second morning it -appeared again. The third morning also it was there, though the library had been locked -up at night by Mr. Otis himself, and the key carried up-stairs. The whole family were now -quite interested; Mr. Otis began to suspect that he had been too dogmatic in his denial of -the existence of ghosts, Mrs. Otis expressed her intention of joining the Psychical Society, -and Washington prepared a long letter to Messrs. Myers and Podmore on the subject of -the Permanence of Sanguineous Stains when connected with Crime. That night all doubts -about the objective existence of phantasmata were removed for ever. -The day had been warm and sunny; and, in the cool of the evening, the whole family -went out to drive. They did not return home till nine o'clock, when they had a light supper. -The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts, so there were not even those primary -conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical -phenomena. The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely -such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as -the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; -the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best -English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul; the -advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the -New York accent as compared to the London drawl. No mention at all was made of the -supernatural, nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way. At eleven o'clock -the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out. Some time after, Mr. Otis was -awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank -of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a -match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock. He was quite calm, and felt his -pulse, which was not at all feverish. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard -distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small oblong phial out of -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 7/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -his dressing-case, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan -moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey -hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were -soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves. -"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have -brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is -said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials -to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it -here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should -you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a -marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest. -"I REALLY MUST INSIST ON YOUR OILING THOSE CHAINS" -For a moment the Canterville ghost stood quite motionless in natural indignation; then, -dashing the bottle violently upon the polished floor, he fled down the corridor, uttering -hollow groans, and emitting a ghastly green light. Just, however, as he reached the top of -the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, -and a large pillow whizzed past his head! There was evidently no time to be lost, so, -hastily adopting the Fourth dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished -through the wainscoting, and the house became quite quiet. -On reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing, he leaned up against a moonbeam -to recover his breath, and began to try and realize his position. Never, in a brilliant and -uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted. He thought -of the Dowager Duchess, whom he had frightened into a fit as she stood before the glass -in her lace and diamonds; of the four housemaids, who had gone into hysterics when he -http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522/14522-h/14522-h.htm 8/36 - -[pict][pict][pict][pict][pict][pict] -7/8/2014 The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde -merely grinned at them through the curtains on one of the spare bedrooms; of the rector -of the parish, whose candle he had blown out as he was coming late one night from the -library, and who had been under the care of Sir William Gull ever since, a perfect martyr -to nervous disorders; and of old Madame de Tremouillac, who, having wakened up one -morning early and seen a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire reading her diary, had -been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of brain fever, and, on her -recovery, had become reconciled to the Church, and broken off her connection with that -notorious sceptic, Monsieur de Voltaire. He remembered the terrible night when the -wicked Lord Canterville was found choking in his dressing-room, with the knave of -diamonds half-way down his throat, and confessed, just before he died, that he had -cheated Charles James Fox out of £50,000 at Crockford's by means of that very card, -and swore that the ghost had made him swallow it. All his great achievements came back -to him again, from the butler who had shot himself in the pantry because he had seen a -green hand tapping at the window-pane, to the beautiful Lady Stutfield, who was always -obliged to wear a black velvet band round her throat to hide the mark of five fingers burnt -upon her white skin, and who drowned herself at last in the carp-pond at the end of the -King's Walk. With the enthusiastic egotism of the true artist, he went over his most -celebrated performances, and smiled bitterly to himself as he recalled to mind his last -appearance as "Red Reuben, or the Strangled Babe," his début as "Guant Gibeon, the -Blood-sucker of Bexley Moor," and the furore he had excited one lovely June evening -by merely playing ninepins with his own bones upon the lawn-tennis ground. And after all -this some wretched modern Americans were to come and offer him the Rising Sun -Lubricator, and throw pillows at his head! It was quite unbearable. Besides, no ghost in -history had ever been treated in this manner. Accordingly, he determined to have -vengeance, and remained till daylight in an attitude of deep thought. -III -he next morning, when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the -T ghost at some length. The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to -find that his present had not been accepted. "I have no wish," he said, "to do the -ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been -in the house, I don't think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him,"—a very just remark, at -which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter. "Upon the other hand," -he continued, "if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take -his chains from him. It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on -outside the bedrooms." -For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited -any attention being the continual renewal of the blood-stain on the library floor. This -certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the -windows kept closely barred. The chameleon-like colour, also, of the stain excited a -good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be -vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, -according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they -found it a bright emerald-green. 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-\x00~\x88\xa2M\x80\x88\xa1\xe4\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\ -\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\ -\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x80\x88\xa1\ -\xf8\x80\x87\xa0f\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ @@ -9517,23 +9563,14 @@ \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\ -\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00q\x8e\xaa\x09\x7f\x88\xa2\ -\xa1\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\ -\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\ -\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\xff\x7f\x88\xa1\ 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