"I charge you not to stir," said Matilda. "If they are spirits in
pain, we may ease their sufferings by questioning them. They can
mean no hurt to us, for we have not injured them--and if they
should, shall we be more safe in one chamber than in another?
Reach me my beads; we will say a prayer, and then speak to them."

"Oh! dear Lady, I would not speak to a ghost for the world!" cried
Bianca. As she said those words they heard the casement of the
little chamber below Matilda's open. They listened attentively,
and in a few minutes thought they heard a person sing, but could
not distinguish the words.

"This can be no evil spirit," said the Princess, in a low voice;
"it is undoubtedly one of the family--open the window, and we shall
know the voice."

"I dare not, indeed, Madam," said Bianca.

"Thou art a very fool," said Matilda, opening the window gently
herself. The noise the Princess made was, however, heard by the
person beneath, who stopped; and they concluded had heard the
casement open.

"Is anybody below?" said the Princess; "if there is, speak."

"Yes," said an unknown voice.

"Who is it?" said Matilda.

"A stranger," replied the voice.