Memoirs of a Peeress; Or the Days of Fox [By C.G.F. Gore] Ed. by Lady C. Bury

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1837 Excerpt: ... years old, I prevailed upon my attendants to shew me the turrets at a distance, --so that I have half incurred the penalty. And do you believe in the prediction?' inquired Lady Helena, timidly. My father was lost at sea in crossing from Sicily to Calabria; and he was always said to have dared his destiny, by witnessing the wonders recorded of the castle. Even my mother, who earnestly dissuaded him from the attempt, regards his untimely death as a judgment on his presumption. At a very early age she laid an injunction upon me, her only son, on pain of her malediction, never to enter the walls;--and I have obeyed her. But what are the marvels of this wonderful place? demanded William Spencer. I remember hearing something of the story from Beckford, on his return from Italy; I am not sure that he did not witness the miracle, observed the Duchess, in a low tone, attracted towards the group by the earnestness of our conversation and countenances. My dear Sicignano, you behold us expiring of curiosity! cried Mr. Spencer. Come, come, Spencer, --no ghost-stories in a haunted house, and on a Sunday above all nights in the week!---exclaimed Jekyll. You and Lady De Beauclerk have already made us afraid to sleep in our beds, with your diabolical diableriee. Let me recommend you, for the future, to renounce the devil and all his works. Provided always, we are not obliged to renounce our story. 'Tis a long time since I enjoyed a good wholesome horror. Lewis!--my dear Lewis!--here is a seat for you beside the Duchess. Sicignano has promised to make our blood run cold, with the true and particular history of his castle in the Abruzzi, ' I will tell you my tale, word for word, as by stealth I overheard my father relate it, fifteen years ago, to an English gent...