As one story of the kind produces another, and as all the company seemed fully¹ engrossed² by the topic, and disposed to bring their relatives and ancestors upon the scene, there is no knowing how many more ghost adventures we might have heard, had not a corpulent old fox-hunter, who had slept soundly through the whole, now suddenly awakened³, with a loud and long-drawn yawn. The sound broke the charm; the ghosts took to flight as though it had been cock-crowing, and there was a universal move for bed.  
“And now for the haunted chamber⁴,” said the Irish captain, taking his candle.
 
“Aye, who’s to be the hero of the night?” said the gentleman with the ruined head.
 
“That we shall see in the morning,” said the old gentleman with the nose: “whoever looks pale and grizzly⁵ will have seen the ghost.”
 
“Well, gentlemen,” said the Baronet, “there’s many a true thing said in jest. In fact, one of you will sleep in a room to-night—”
 
“What—a haunted room? a haunted room? I claim the adventure—and I—and I—and I,” cried a dozen guests, talking and laughing at the same time.
 
“No—no,” said mine host, “there is a secret about one of my rooms on which I feel disposed to try an experiment. So, gentlemen, none of you shall know who has the haunted chamber, until circumstances reveal it. I will not even know it myself, but will leave it to chance and the allotment of the housekeeper⁶. At the same time, if it will be any satisfaction to you, I will observe, for the honor of my paternal⁷ mansion⁸, that there’s scarcely a chamber in it but is well worthy⁹ of being haunted.”
 
We now separated for the night, and each went to his allotted¹⁰ room. Mine was in one wing of the building, and I could not but smile at its resemblance in style to those eventful apartments described in the tales of the supper table. It was spacious¹¹ and gloomy, decorated with lamp-black portraits, a bed of ancient damask, with a tester sufficiently¹² lofty to grace a couch of state, and a number of massive pieces of old-fashioned furniture. I drew a great claw-footed arm-chair before the wide fire-place; stirred up the fire; sat looking into it, and musing¹³ upon the odd stories I had heard; until, partly overcome by the fatigue¹⁴ of the day’s hunting, and partly by the wine and wassail of mine host, I fell asleep in my chair.
 
The uneasiness of my position made my slumber¹⁵ troubled, and laid me at the mercy of all kinds of wild and fearful dreams; now it was that my perfidious¹⁶ dinner and supper rose in rebellion against my peace. I was hag-ridden by a fat saddle of mutton; a plum pudding weighed like lead upon my conscience; the merry thought of a capon filled me with horrible suggestions; and a devilled leg of a turkey stalked in all kinds of diabolical¹⁷ shapes through my imagination. In short, I had a violent fit of the nightmare. Some strange indefinite evil seemed hanging over me that I could not avert¹⁸; something terrible and loathsome¹⁹ oppressed me that I could not shake off. I was conscious of being asleep, and strove to rouse myself, but every effort redoubled the evil; until gasping²⁰, struggling, almost strangling, I suddenly sprang bolt upright in my chair, and awoke.
 
The light on the mantel-piece had burnt low, and the wick was divided; there was a great winding²¹ sheet made by the dripping wax, on the side towards me. The disordered taper²² emitted a broad flaring²³ flame, and threw a strong light on a painting over the fire-place, which I had not hitherto observed.
 
It consisted merely of a head, or rather a face, that appeared to be staring full upon me, and with an expression that was startling. It was without a frame, and at the first glance I could hardly persuade myself that it was not a real face, thrusting itself out of the dark oaken pannel. I sat in my chair gazing at it, and the more I gazed the more it disquieted²⁵ me. I had never before been affected²⁶ in the same way by any painting. The emotions it caused were strange and indefinite. They were something like what I have heard ascribed to the eyes of the basilisk; or like that mysterious influence in reptiles²⁷ termed fascination²⁸. I passed my hand over my eyes several times, as if seeking instinctively³⁰ to brush away this allusion—in vain—they instantly reverted³¹ to the picture, and its chilling, creeping influence over my flesh was redoubled.
 
I looked around the room on other pictures, either to divert my attention, or to see whether the same effect would be produced by them. Some of them were grim enough to produce the effect, if the mere²⁴ grimness of the painting produced it—no such thing. My eye passed over them all with perfect indifference³², but the moment it reverted to this visage over the fire-place, it was as if an electric shock darted³³ through me. The other pictures were dim and faded; but this one protruded³⁴ from a plain black ground in the strongest relief, and with wonderful truth of coloring. The expression was that of agony—the agony of intense bodily pain; but a menace scowled³⁵ upon the brow, and a few sprinklings of blood added to its ghastliness. Yet it was not all these characteristics—it was some horror of the mind, some inscrutable antipathy³⁶ awakened by this picture, which harrowed up my feelings.
 
I tried to persuade myself that this was chimerical³⁷; that my brain was confused by the fumes³⁸ of mine host’s good cheer, and, in some measure, by the odd stories about paintings which had been told at supper. I determined³⁹ to shake off these vapors⁴⁰ of the mind; rose from my chair, and walked about the room; snapped my fingers; rallied myself; laughed aloud. It was a forced laugh, and the echo of it in the old chamber jarred upon my ear. I walked to the window; tried to discern the landscape through the glass. It was pitch darkness, and howling storm without; and as I heard the wind moan among the trees, I caught a reflection of this accursed visage in the pane⁴¹ of glass, as though it were staring through the window at me. Even the reflection of it was thrilling.
 
How was this vile⁴² nervous fit, for such I now persuaded myself it was, to be conquered? I determined to force myself not to look at the painting but to undress quickly and get into bed. I began to undress, but in spite of every effort I could not keep myself from stealing a glance every now and then at the picture; and a glance was now sufficient to distress⁴³ me. Even when my back was turned to it, the idea of this strange face behind me, peering over my shoulder, was insufferable. I threw off my clothes and hurried into bed; but still this visage gazed upon me. I had a full view of it from my bed, and for some time could not take my eyes from it. I had grown nervous to a dismal⁴⁴ degree.
 
I put out the light, and tried to force myself to sleep;—all in vain! The fire gleaming up a little, threw an uncertain light about the room, leaving, however, the region of the picture in deep shadow. What, thought I, if this be the chamber about which mine host spoke⁴⁵ as having a mystery reigning⁴⁶ over it?—I had taken his words merely as spoken in jest; might they have a real import? I looked around. The faintly lighted apartment had all the qualifications requisite⁴⁷ for a haunted chamber. It began in my infected imagination to assume strange appearances. The old portraits turned paler and paler, and blacker and blacker; the streaks⁴⁸ of light and shadow thrown among the quaint⁴⁹ old articles of furniture, gave them singular shapes and characters. There was a huge dark clothes-press of antique form, gorgeous in brass⁵¹ and lustrous⁵² with wax, that began to grow oppressive to me.
 
Am I then, thought I, indeed, the hero of the haunted room? Is there really a spell laid upon me, or is this all some contrivance of mine host, to raise a laugh at my expense? The idea of being hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then bantered⁵³ on my haggard looks the next day was intolerable; but the very idea was sufficient to produce the effect, and to render me still more nervous. Pish, said I, it can be no such thing. How could my worthy host imagine that I, or any man would be so worried by a mere picture? It is my own diseased imagination that torments⁵⁴ me. I turned in my bed, and shifted from side to side, to try to fall asleep; but all in vain. When one cannot get asleep by lying quiet, it is seldom that tossing about will effect the purpose. The fire gradually went out and left the room in darkness. Still I had the idea of this inexplicable⁵⁵ countenance⁵⁶ gazing and keeping watch upon me through the darkness. Nay⁵⁷, what was worse, the very darkness seemed to give it additional power, and to multiply its terrors. It was like having an unseen enemy hovering⁵⁸ about one in the night. Instead of having one picture now to worry me, I had a hundred. I fancied it in every direction. And there it is, thought I,—and there, and there,—with its horrible and mysterious expression, still gazing and gazing on me. No if I must suffer this strange and dismal influence, it were better face a single foe⁵⁹, than thus be haunted by a thousand images of it.
 
Whoever has been in such a state of nervous agitation⁶⁰ must know that the longer it continues, the more uncontrollable it grows; the very air of the chamber seemed at length infected by the baleful presence of this picture. I fancied it hovering over me. I almost felt the fearful visage from the wall approaching my face,—it seemed breathing upon me. This is not to be borne, said I, at length, springing out of bed. I can stand this no longer. I shall only tumble and toss about here all night; make a very spectre of myself, and become the hero of the haunted chamber in good earnest. Whatever be the consequence. I’ll quit this cursed room, and seek a night’s rest elsewhere. They can but laugh at me at all events, and they’ll be sure to have the laugh upon me if I pass a sleepless⁶¹ night and show them a haggard and wo-begone visage in the morning.
 
All this was half muttered to myself, as I hastily slipped on my clothes; which having done, I groped my way out of the room, and down-stairs to the drawing-room. Here, after tumbling over two or three pieces of furniture, I made out to reach a sofa, and stretching myself upon it determined to bivouac there for the night.
 
The moment I found myself out of the neighborhood of that strange picture, it seemed as if the charm were broken. All its influence was at an end. I felt assured that it was confined to its own dreary⁶² chamber, for I had, with a sort of instinctive²⁹ caution, turned the key when I closed the door. I soon calmed down, therefore, into a state of tranquillity⁶³; from that into a drowsiness⁶⁴, and finally into a deep sleep; out of which I did not awake, until the housemaid, with her besom and her matin song, came to put the room in order. She stared at finding me stretched upon the sofa; but I presume circumstances of the kind were not uncommon⁶⁵ after hunting dinners, in her master’s bachelor establishment; for she went on with her song and her work, and took no farther heed⁶⁶ of me.
 
I had an unconquerable repugnance⁶⁷ to return to my chamber; so I found my way to the butler’s quarters, made my toilet in the best way circumstances would permit, and was among the first to appear at the breakfast table. Our breakfast was a substantial fox-hunter’s repast, and the company were generally assembled at it. When ample justice had been done to the tea, coffee, cold meats, and humming ale, for all these were furnished in abundance, according to the tastes of the different guests, the conversation began to break out, with all the liveliness and freshness of morning mirth.
 
“But who is the hero of the haunted chamber?—Who has seen the ghost last night?” said the inquisitive⁶⁸ gentleman, rolling his lobster⁶⁹ eyes about the table.
 
The question set every tongue in motion; a vast deal of bantering⁷⁰; criticising of countenances⁷¹; of mutual⁷² accusation⁷³ and retort took place. Some had drunk deep, and some were unshaven, so that there were suspicious faces enough in the assembly. I alone could not enter with ease and vivacity⁷⁴ into the joke. I felt tongue-tied—embarrassed. A recollection of what I had seen and felt the preceding night still haunted my mind.
 
It seemed as if the mysterious picture still held a thrall⁷⁵ upon me. I thought also that our host’s eye was turned on me with an air of curiosity. In short, I was conscious that I was the hero of the night, and felt as if every one might read it in my looks.
 
The jokes, however, passed over, and no suspicion seemed to attach to me. I was just congratulating myself on my escape, when a servant came in, saying, that the gentleman who had slept on the sofa in the drawing-room, had left his watch under one of the pillows. My repeater was in his hand.
 
“What!” said the inquisitive gentleman, “did any gentleman sleep on the sofa?”
 
“Soho! soho! a hare—a hare!” cried the old gentleman with the flexible nose.
 
I could not avoid acknowledging the watch, and was rising in great confusion, when a boisterous⁷⁶ old squire⁷⁷ who sat beside me, exclaimed, slapping me on the shoulder, “‘Sblood, lad! thou’rt the man as has seen the ghost!”
 
The attention of the company was immediately turned to me; if my face had been pale the moment before, it now glowed almost to burning. I tried to laugh, but could only make a grimace⁷⁸; and found all the muscles of my face twitching⁷⁹ at sixes and sevens, and totally out of all control.
 
It takes but little to raise a laugh among a set of fox-hunters. There was a world of merriment and joking at my expense; and as I never relished⁸⁰ a joke overmuch when it was at my own expense, I began to feel a little nettled⁸¹. I tried to look cool and calm and to restrain my pique⁸²; but the coolness and calmness of a man in a passion are confounded treacherous⁸³.
 
Gentlemen, said I, with a slight cocking of the chin, and a bad attempt at a smile, this is all very pleasant—ha! ha!—very pleasant—but I’d have you know I am as little superstitious⁸⁴ as any of you—ha! ha!—and as to anything like timidity—you may smile, gentlemen—but I trust there is no one here means to insinuate⁸⁵ that.—As to a room’s being haunted, I repeat, gentlemen—(growing a little warm at seeing a cursed grin breaking out round me)—as to a room’s being haunted, I have as little faith in such silly stories as any one. But, since you put the matter home to me, I will say that I have met with something in my room strange and inexplicable to me—(a shout of laughter). Gentlemen, I am serious—I know well what I am saying—I am calm, gentlemen, (striking my flat upon the table)—by heaven I am calm. I am neither trifling⁸⁶, nor do I wish to be trifled with—(the laughter of the company suppressed with ludicrous attempts at gravity). There is a picture in the room in which I was put last night, that has had an effect upon me the most singular and incomprehensible.
 
“A picture!” said the old gentleman with the haunted head. “A picture!” cried the narrator with the waggish⁸⁷ nose. “A picture! a picture!” echoed several voices. Here there was an ungovernable peal⁸⁸ of laughter.
 
I could not contain myself. I started up from my seat—looked round on the company with fiery⁸⁹ indignation—thrust both my hands into my pockets, and strode up to one of the windows, as though I would have walked through it. I stopped short; looked out upon the landscape without distinguishing a feature of it; and felt my gorge⁵⁰ rising almost to suffocation⁹⁰.
 
Mine host saw it was time to interfere⁹¹. He had maintained an air of Gravity through the whole of the scene, and now stepped forth⁹² as if to shelter me from the overwhelming merriment of my companions.
 
“Gentlemen,” said he, “I dislike to spoil sport, but you have had your laugh, and the joke of the haunted chamber has been enjoyed. I must now take the part of my guest. I must not only vindicate⁹³ him from your pleasantries, but I must reconcile him to himself, for I suspect he is a little out of humor with his own feelings; and above all, I must crave⁹⁴ his pardon for having made him the subject of a kind of experiment.
 
“Yes, gentlemen, there is something strange and peculiar⁹⁵ in the chamber to which our friend was shown last night. There is a picture which possesses a singular and mysterious influence; and with which there is connected a very curious story. It is a picture to which I attach a value from a variety of circumstances; and though I have often been tempted⁹⁶ to destroy it from the odd and uncomfortable sensations it produces in every one that beholds⁹⁷ it; yet I have never been able to prevail upon myself to make the sacrifice. It is a picture I never like to look upon myself; and which is held in awe⁹⁸ by all my servants. I have, therefore, banished⁹⁹ it to a room but rarely used; and should have had it covered last night, had not the nature of our conversation, and the whimsical talk about a haunted chamber tempted me to let it remain, by way of experiment, whether a stranger, totally unacquainted with its story, would be affected by it.”
 
The words of the Baronet had turned every thought into a different channel: all were anxious to hear the story of the mysterious picture; and for myself, so strongly were my feelings interested, that I forgot to feel piqued¹⁰⁰ at the experiment which my host had made upon my nerves, and joined eagerly in the general entreaty¹⁰¹.
 
As the morning was stormy, and precluded all egress, my host was glad of any means of entertaining his company; so drawing his arm-chair beside the fire, he began—