There is a belief , however , that in a certain chamber of this mansion a female form may sometimes be duskily discerned shrinking into the darkest corner and muffling her face within an embroidered mantle . Supposing the legend true , can this be other than the once proud Lady Eleanore ? * * * * * Mine host and the old loyalist and I bestowed no little Warmth of applause upon this narrative , in which we had all been deeply interested ; for the reader can scarcely conceive how unspeakably the effect of such a tale is heightened when , as in the present case , we may repose perfect confidence in the veracity of him who tells it . For my own part , knowing how scrupulous is Mr. Tiffany to settle the foundation of his facts , I could not have believed him one whit the more faithfully had he professed himself an eyewitness of the doings and sufferings of poor Lady Eleanore . Some sceptics , it is true , might demand documentary evidence , or even require him to produce the embroidered mantle , forgetting that -- Heaven be praised ! -- it was consumed to ashes . But now the old loyalist , whose blood was warmed by the good cheer , began to talk , in his turn , about the traditions of the Province House , and hinted that he , if it were agreeable , might add a few reminiscences to our legendary stock . Mr. Tiffany , having no cause to dread a rival , immediately besought him to favor us with a specimen ; my own entreaties , of course , were urged to the same effect ; and our venerable guest , well pleased to find willing auditors , awaited only the return of Mr. Thomas Waite , who had been summoned forth to provide accommodations for several new arrivals . Perchance the public -- but be this as its own caprice and ours shall settle the matter -- may read the result in another tale of the Province House . IV . OLD ESTHER DUDLEY . Our host having resumed the chair , he as well as Mr. Tiffany and myself expressed much eagerness to be made acquainted with the story to which the loyalist had alluded . That venerable man first of all saw lit to moisten his throat with another glass of wine , and then , turning his face toward our coal-fire , looked steadfastly for a few moments into the depths of its cheerful glow . Finally he poured forth a great fluency of speech . The generous liquid that he had imbibed , while it warmed his age-chilled blood , likewise took off the chill from his heart and mind , and gave him an energy to think and feel which we could hardly have expected to find beneath the snows of fourscore winters . His feelings , indeed , appeared to me more excitable than those of a younger man -- or , at least , the same degree of feeling manifested itself by more visible effects than if his judgment and will had possessed the potency of meridian life . At the pathetic passages of his narrative he readily melted into tears . When a breath of indignation swept across his spirit , the blood flushed his withered visage even to the roots of his white hair , and he shook his clinched fist at the trio of peaceful auditors , seeming to fancy enemies in those who felt very kindly toward the desolate old soul . But ever and anon , sometimes in the midst of his most earnest talk , this ancient person 's intellect would wander vaguely , losing its hold of the matter in hand and groping for it amid misty shadows . Then would he cackle forth a feeble laugh and express a doubt whether his wits -- for by that phrase it pleased our ancient friend to signify his mental powers -- were not getting a little the worse for wear .
Under these disadvantages , the old loyalist 's story required more revision to render it fit for the public eye than those of the series which have preceded it ; nor should it be concealed that the sentiment and tone of the affair may have undergone some slight -- or perchance more than slight -- metamorphosis XXXXX its transmission to the reader through the medium of a thoroughgoing democrat .
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