I still was not satisfied, when he wrote his signature in my pocket-book.

I wanted, however, more substantial proof of his visit, when he laid his hand, which was cold as marble, on my wrist; the sinews shrunk up, the nerves withered at the touch.

"Now," he said, "let no mortal eye, while you live, ever see that wrist," and vanished.

While I was conversing with him my thoughts were calm, but as soon as he disappeared I felt chilled with horror and dismay, a cold sweat came over me, and I again endeavoured but vainly to awaken Sir Tristram; a flood of tears came to my relief, and I fell asleep.
"'In the morning your father got up without disturbing me; he had not noticed anything extraordinary about me or the bed-hangings.

When I did arise I found a long broom in the gallery outside the bedroom door, and with great difficulty I unhooded the curtain, fearing that the position of it might excite surprise and cause inquiry.