Towards the close of the sixteenth century, this castle was in the possession of Ferdinand, fifth marquis of Mazzini, and was for some years the principal residence of his family. He was a man of a and imperious character. To his first wife, he married Louisa Bernini, second daughter of the Count della Salario, a lady yet more for the sweetness of her manners and the gentleness of her , than for her beauty. She brought the marquis one son and two daughters, who lost their mother in early childhood. The and impetuous character of the marquis operated powerfully upon the mild and nature of his lady: and it was by many persons believed, that his unkindness and neglect put a period to her life. However this might be, he soon afterwards married Maria de Vellorno, a young lady beautiful, but of a character very opposite to that of her . She was a woman of infinite art, to pleasure, and of an unconquerable spirit. The marquis, whose heart was dead to tenderness, and whose present lady was too to attend to domestic concerns, committed the education of his daughters to the care of a lady, completely for the , and who was distantly related to the late marchioness.  
He quitted Mazzini soon after his second marriage, for the gaieties and splendour of Naples, whither his son accompanied him. Though naturally of a and overbearing disposition, he was governed by his wife. His passions were , and she had the address to bend them to her own purpose; and so well to her influence, that he thought himself most independent when he was most enslaved. He paid an annual visit to the castle of Mazzini; but the marchioness seldom attended him, and he staid only to give such general directions concerning the education of his daughters, as his pride, rather than his affection, seemed to .
 
Emilia, the elder, inherited much of her mother's disposition. She had a mild and sweet temper, united with a clear and comprehensive mind. Her younger sister, Julia, was of a more lively cast. An extreme sensibility subjected her to frequent uneasiness; her temper was warm, but generous; she was quickly irritated, and quickly ; and to a , however gentle, she would often weep, but was never . Her imagination was , and her mind early exhibited symptoms of genius. It was the particular care of Madame de Menon to those traits in the disposition of her young pupils, which appeared inimical to their future happiness; and for this task she had abilities which entitled her to hope for success. A series of early misfortunes had entendered her heart, without weakening the powers of her understanding. In she had acquired , and had almost lost the consciousness of those sorrows which yet threw a soft and not unpleasing shade over her character. She loved her young charge with fondness, and their gradual improvement and respectful tenderness repaid all her anxiety. Madame excelled in music and drawing. She had often forgot her sorrows in these amusements, when her mind was too much occupied to from books, and she was assiduous to impart to Emilia and Julia a power so valuable as that of the sense of affliction. Emilia's taste led her to drawing, and she soon made rapid advances in that art. Julia was susceptible of the charms of harmony. She had feelings which trembled in to all its various and powers.
 
The instructions of madame she caught with astonishing quickness, and in a short time to a degree of in her favorite study, which few persons have ever exceeded. Her manner was her own. It was not in the rapid intricacies of execution, that she excelled so much in as in that of taste, and in those enchanting powers of expression, which seem to breathe a soul through the sound, and which take captive the heart of the hearer. The was her favorite instrument, and its tender notes accorded well with the sweet and melting tones of her voice.
 
The castle of Mazzini was a large irregular fabrick, and seemed suited to receive a numerous train of , such as, in those days, served the nobility, either in the splendour of peace, or the of war. Its present family inhabited only a small part of it; and even this part appeared forlorn and almost from the of the apartments, and the length of the galleries which led to them. A stillness through the halls, and the silence of the courts, which were shaded by high , was for many hours together undisturbed by the sound of any foot-step. Julia, who discovered an early taste for books, loved to retire in an evening to a small closet in which she had collected her favorite authors. This room formed the western angle of the castle: one of its windows looked upon the sea, beyond which was faintly seen, skirting the horizon, the dark rocky coast of Calabria; the other opened towards a part of the castle, and afforded a of the neighbouring woods. Her musical instruments were here deposited, with whatever assisted her favorite amusements. This spot, which was at once elegant, pleasant, and , was with many little of her own invention, and with some drawings executed by her sister. The cioset was adjoining her , and was separated from the apartments of madame only by a short gallery. This gallery opened into another, long and , which led to the grand staircase, terminating in the north hall, with which the chief apartments of the north side of the communicated.
 
Madame de Menon's apartment opened into both galleries. It was in one of these rooms that she usually spent the mornings, occupied in the improvement of her young charge. The windows looked towards the sea, and the room was light and pleasant. It was their custom to dine in one of the lower apartments, and at table they were always joined by a of the marquis's, who had resided many years in the castle, and who instructed the young ladies in the Latin tongue, and in geography. During the fine evenings of summer, this little party frequently supped in a pavilion, which was built on an in the woods belonging to the castle. From this spot the eye had an almost range of sea and land. It commanded the straits of Messina, with the opposite shores of Calabria, and a great extent of the wild and scenery of Sicily. Mount Etna, crowned with eternal snows, and shooting from among the clouds, formed a grand and picture in the background of the scene. The city of Palermo was also distinguishable; and Julia, as she gazed on its glittering ; would endeavour in imagination to depicture its beauties, while she secretly sighed for a view of that world, from which she had hitherto been by the mean of the marchioness, upon whose mind the of rival beauty operated strongly to the prejudice of Emilia and Julia. She employed all her influence over the marquis to detain them in retirement; and, though Emilia was now twenty, and her sister eighteen, they had never passed the boundaries of their father's .
 
Vanity often produces alarm; but the marchioness had in this instance just grounds for ; the beauty of her lord's daughters has seldom been exceeded. The person of Emilia was finely proportioned. Her was fair, her hair flaxen, and her dark blue eyes were full of sweet expression. Her manners were and elegant, and in her air was a feminine softness, a tender timidity which attracted the heart of the . The figure of Julia was light and —her step was airy—her , and her smile enchanting. Her eyes were dark, and full of fire, but tempered with modest sweetness. Her features were finely turned—every laughing grace played round her mouth, and her quickly discovered all the various emotions of her soul. The dark auburn hair, which curled in beautiful in her neck, gave a finishing charm to her appearance.
 
Thus lovely, and thus veiled in obscurity, were the daughters of the noble Mazzini. But they were happy, for they knew not enough of the world seriously to regret the want of its , though Julia would sometimes sigh for the airy image which her fancies painted, and a painful curiosity would arise concerning the busy scenes from which she was excluded. A return to her customary amusements, however, would chase the ideal image from her mind, and restore her usual happy complacency. Books, music, and painting, divided the hours of her leisure, and many beautiful summer-evenings were spent in the pavilion, where the refined conversation of madame, the poetry of Tasso, the lute of Julia, and the friendship of Emilia, combined to form a species of happiness, such as elevated and highly susceptible minds are alone capable of receiving or communicating. Madame understood and practised all the graces of conversation, and her young pupils perceived its value, and caught the spirit of its character.
 
Conversation may be divided into two classes—the familiar and the . It is the province of the familiar, to cheerfulness and ease—to open the heart of man to man, and to beam a sunshine upon the mind.—Nature and art must to render us susceptible of the charms, and to qualify us for the practice of the second class of conversation, here termed sentimental, and in which Madame de Menon particularly excelled. To good sense, lively feeling, and natural delicacy of taste, must be united an expansion of mind, and a of thought, which is the result of high . To render this sort of conversation irresistibly attractive, a knowledge of the world is , and that enchanting case, that of manner, which is to be acquired only by frequenting the higher circles of polished life. In sentimental conversation, subjects interesting to the heart, and to the imagination, are brought forward; they are discussed in a kind of sportive way, with and refinement, and are never continued longer than politeness allows. Here fancy flourishes,—the sensibilities expand—and wit, guided by delicacy and embellished by taste—points to the heart.
 
Such was the conversation of Madame de Menon; and the pleasant gaiety of the pavilion seemed peculiarly to adapt it for the scene of social delights. On the evening of a very sultry day, having supped in their favorite spot, the coolness of the hour, and the beauty of the night, this happy party to remain there later than usual. Returning home, they were surprised by the appearance of a light through the broken window-shutters of an apartment, belonging to a division of the castle which had for many years been shut up. They stopped to observe it, when it suddenly disappeared, and was seen no more. Madame de Menon, disturbed at this phaenomenon, hastened into the castle, with a view of into the cause of it, when she was met in the north hall by Vincent. She related to him what she had seen, and ordered an search to be made for the keys of those apartments. She that some person had that part of the edifice with an intention of ; and, a fear where her duty was concerned, she summoned the servants of the castle, with an intention of accompanying them . Vincent smiled at her , and what she had seen to an illusion, which the solemnity of the hour had impressed upon her fancy. Madame, however, in her purpose; and, after along and repeated search, a massey key, covered with , was produced. She then proceeded to the southern side of the edifice, accompanied by Vincent, and followed by the servants, who were with impatient wonder. The key was to an iron gate, which opened into a court that separated this division from the other parts of the castle. They entered this court, which was overgrown with grass and weeds, and some steps that led to a large door, which they vainly endeavoured to open. All the different keys of the castle were applied to the lock, without effect, and they were at length compelled to quit the place, without having either satisfied their curiosity, or quieted their fears. Everything, however, was still, and the light did not reappear. Madame her apprehensions, and the family retired to rest.
 
This circumstance dwelt on the mind of Madame de Menon, and it was some time before she ventured again to spend an evening in the pavilion. After several months passed, without further or discovery, another occurrence renewed the alarm. Julia had one night remained in her closet later than usual. A favorite book had engaged her attention beyond the hour of customary , and every inhabitant of the castle, except herself, had long been lost in sleep. She was roused from her forgetfulness, by the sound of the castle clock, which struck one. Surprised at the lateness of the hour, she rose in haste, and was moving to her chamber, when the beauty of the night attracted her to the window. She opened it; and observing a fine effect of moonlight upon the dark woods, leaned forwards. In that situation she had not long remained, when she perceived a light faintly flash through a in the uninhabited part of the castle. A sudden seized her, and she with difficulty supported herself. In a few moments it disappeared, and soon after a figure, bearing a lamp, proceeded from an obscure door belonging to the south tower; and stealing along the outside of the castle walls, turned round the southern angle, by which it was afterwards hid from the view. Astonished and terrified at what she had seen, she hurried to the apartment of Madame de Menon, and related the circumstance. The servants were immediately roused, and the alarm became general. Madame arose and into the north hall, where the domestics were already assembled. No one could be found of courage sufficient to enter into the courts; and the orders of madame were disregarded, when opposed to the effects of terror. She perceived that Vincent was absent, but as she was ordering him to be called, he entered the hall. Surprised to find the family thus assembled, he was told the occasion. He immediately ordered a party of the servants to attend him round the castle walls; and with some , and more fear, they obeyed him. They all returned to the hall, without having witnessed any extraordinary appearance; but though their fears were not confirmed, they were by no means dissipated. The appearance of a light in a part of the castle which had for several years been shut up, and to which time and circumstance had given an air of singular desolation, might reasonably be supposed to excite a strong degree of surprise and terror. In the minds of the vulgar, any species of the wonderful is received with avidity; and the servants did not hesitate in believing the southern division of the castle to be inhabited by a supernatural power. Too much agitated to sleep, they agreed to watch for the remainder of the night. For this purpose they arranged themselves in the east gallery, where they had a view of the south tower from which the light had issued. The night, however, passed without any further disturbance; and the morning dawn, which they with inexpressible pleasure, dissipated for a while the glooms of apprehension. But the return of evening renewed the general fear, and for several successive nights the domestics watched the southern tower. Although nothing was seen, a report was soon raised, and believed, that the southern side of the castle was haunted. Madame de Menon, whose mind was superior to the effects of , was yet disturbed and , and she , if the light reappeared, to inform the marquis of the circumstance, and request the keys of those apartments.
 
The marquis, immersed in the dissipations of Naples, seldom remembered the castle, or its inhabitants. His son, who had been educated under his immediate care, was the sole object of his pride, as the marchioness was that of his affection. He loved her with romantic fondness, which she repaid with seeming tenderness, and secret . She allowed herself a free indulgence in the most pleasures, yet conducted herself with an art so as to discovery, and even suspicion. In her amours she was equally inconstant as ardent, till the young Count Hippolitus de Vereza attracted her attention. The natural of her disposition seemed then to cease, and upon him she centered all her desires.
 
The count Vereza lost his father in early childhood. He was now of age, and had just entered upon the possession of his estates. His person was graceful, yet ; his mind , and his manners elegant; his countenance expressed a happy union of spirit, dignity, and , which formed the principal traits of his character. He had a of thought, which taught him to despise the voluptuous of the Neapolitans, and led him to higher pursuits. He was the chosen and early friend of young Ferdinand, the son of the marquis, and was a frequent visitor in the family. When the marchioness first saw him, she treated him with great distinction, and at length made such advances, as neither the honor nor the of the count permitted him to notice. He conducted himself toward her with , which served only to the passion it was meant to chill. The favors of the marchioness had hitherto been sought with avidity, and accepted with ; and the insensibility which she now experienced, roused all her pride, and called into action every refinement of coquetry.
 
It was about this period that Vincent was seized with a which increased so rapidly, as in a short time to assume the most alarming appearance. Despairing of life, he desired that a messenger might be dispatched to inform the marquis of his situation, and to signify his earnest wish to see him before he died. The progress of his disorder defied every art of medicine, and his visible of mind seemed to accelerate his fate. Perceiving his last hour approaching, he requested to have a confessor. The confessor was shut up with him a considerable time, and he had already received extreme unction, when Madame de Menon was summoned to his bedside. The hand of death was now upon him, cold damps hung upon his brows, and he, with difficulty, raised his heavy eyes to madame as she entered the apartment. He her towards him, and desiring that no person might be permitted to enter the room, was for a few moments silent. His mind appeared to labour under oppressive remembrances; he made several attempts to speak, but either resolution or strength failed him. At length, giving madame a look of unutterable , ', madam,' said he, 'Heaven grants not the prayer of such a as I am. I must expire long before the marquis can arrive. Since I shall see him no more, I would impart to you a secret which lies heavy at my heart, and which makes my last moments dreadful, as they are without hope.' 'Be comforted,' said madame, who was by the energy of his manner, 'we are taught to believe that forgiveness is never denied to sincere .' 'You, madam, are ignorant of the enormity of my crime, and of the secret—the secret which labours at my breast. My is beyond remedy in this world, and I fear will be without pardon in the next; I therefore hope little from even to a priest. Yet some good it is still in my power to do; let me disclose to you that secret which is so mysteriously connected with the southern apartments of this castle.'—'What of them!' exclaimed madame, with . Vincent returned no answer; by the effort of speaking, he had fainted. Madame rung for assistance, and by proper applications, his senses were recalled. He was, however, entirely speechless, and in this state he remained till he expired, which was about an hour after he had with madame.
 
The perplexity and of madame, were by the late scene heightened to a very painful degree. She the various particulars relative to the southern division of the castle, the many years it had stood uninhabited—the silence which had been observed concerning it—the appearance of the light and the figure—the fruitless search for the keys, and the reports so generally believed; and thus remembrance presented her with a combination of circumstances, which served only to increase her wonder, and heighten her curiosity. A veil of mystery that part of the castle, which it now seemed impossible should ever be penetrated, since the only person who could have removed it, was no more.
 
The marquis arrived on the day after that on which Vincent had expired. He came attended by servants only, and alighted at the gates of the castle with an air of impatience, and a countenance of strong emotion. Madame, with the young ladies, received him in the hall. He hastily his daughters, and passed on to the oak parlour, desiring madame to follow him. She obeyed, and the marquis with great after Vincent. When told of his death, he paced the room with hurried steps, and was for some time silent. At length seating himself, and surveying madame with a eye, he asked some questions concerning the particulars of Vincent's death. She mentioned his earnest desire to see the marquis, and repeated his last words. The marquis remained silent, and madame proceeded to mention those circumstances relative to the southern division of the castle, which she thought it of so much importance to discover. He treated the affair very lightly, laughed at her , represented the appearances she described as the illusions of a weak and timid mind, and broke up the conversation, by going to visit the chamber of Vincent, in which he remained a considerable time.
 
On the following day Emilia and Julia dined with the marquis. He was gloomy and silent; their efforts to amuse him seemed to excite displeasure rather than kindness; and when the repast was concluded, he withdrew to his own apartment, leaving his daughters in a state of sorrow and surprise.
 
Vincent was to be , according to his own desire, in the church belonging to the convent of St Nicholas. One of the servants, after receiving some necessary orders concerning the funeral, ventured to inform the marquis of the appearance of the lights in the south tower. He mentioned the superstitious reports that prevailed amongst the household, and complained that the servants would not cross the courts after it was dark. 'And who is he that has commissioned you with this story?' said the marquis, in a tone of displeasure; 'are the weak and ridiculous fancies of women and servants to be upon my notice? Away—appear no more before me, till you have learned to speak what it is proper for me to hear.' Robert withdrew , and it was some time before any person ventured to renew the subject with the marquis.
 
The majority of young Ferdinand now drew near, and the marquis determined to celebrate the occasion with magnificence at the castle of Mazzini. He, therefore, summoned the marchioness and his son from Naples, and very splendid preparations were ordered to be made. Emilia and Julia the arrival of the marchioness, whose influence they had long been sensible of, and from whose presence they anticipated a painful restraint. Beneath the gentle guidance of Madame de Menon, their hours had passed in happy tranquillity, for they were ignorant alike of the sorrows and the pleasures of the world. Those did not oppress, and these did not inflame them. Engaged in the pursuits of knowledge, and in the of elegant , their moments flew lightly away, and the flight of time was marked only by improvement. In madame was united the tenderness of the mother, with the sympathy of a friend; and they loved her with a warm and inviolable affection.
 
The purposed visit of their brother, whom they had not seen for several years, gave them great pleasure. Although their minds retained no very distinct remembrance of him, they looked forward with eager and expectation to his and his talents; and hoped to find in his company, a consolation for the uneasiness which the presence of the marchioness would excite. Neither did Julia with indifference the approaching festival. A new scene was now opening to her, which her young imagination painted in the warm and glowing colours of delight. The near approach of pleasure frequently the heart to emotions, which would fail to be excited by a more remote and abstracted observance. Julia, who, in the distance, had considered the splendid gaieties of life with tranquillity, now lingered with impatient hope through the moments which her from their enjoyments. Emilia, whose feelings were less lively, and whose imagination was less powerful, beheld the approaching festival with calm consideration, and almost regretted the interruption of those pleasures, which she knew to be more congenial with her powers and disposition.
 
In a few days the marchioness arrived at the castle. She was followed by a numerous , and accompanied by Ferdinand, and several of the Italian noblesse, whom pleasure attracted to her train. Her entrance was proclaimed by the sound of music, and those gates which had long on their hinges, were thrown open to receive her. The courts and halls, whose aspect so lately expressed only gloom and desolation, now shone with sudden splendour, and echoed the sounds of gaiety and gladness. Julia surveyed the scene from an obscure window; and as the triumphal strains filled the air, her breast ; her heart beat quick with joy, and she lost her apprehensions from the marchioness in a sort of wild delight hitherto unknown to her. The arrival of the marchioness seemed indeed the signal of universal and pleasure. When the marquis came out to receive her, the gloom that lately clouded his countenance, broke away in smiles of welcome, which the whole company appeared to consider as invitations to joy.
 
The tranquil heart of Emilia was not proof against a scene so , and she sighed at the prospect, yet scarcely knew why. Julia out to her sister, the graceful figure of a young man who followed the marchioness, and she expressed her wishes that he might be her brother. From the contemplation of the scene before them, they were summoned to meet the marchioness. Julia trembled with apprehension, and for a few moments wished the castle was in its former state. As they advanced through the saloon, in which they were presented, Julia was covered with blushes; but Emilia, tho' equally timid, preserved her graceful dignity. The marchioness received them with a smile of and politeness, and immediately the whole attention of the company was attracted by their elegance and beauty. The eager eyes of Julia sought in vain to discover her brother, of whose features she had no recollection in those of any of the persons then present. At length her father presented him, and she perceived, with a sigh of regret, that he was not the youth she had observed from the window. He advanced with a very engaging air, and she met him with an unfeigned welcome. His figure was tall and ; he had a very noble and spirited carriage; and his countenance expressed at once sweetness and dignity. Supper was served in the east hall, and the tables were spread with a profusion of . A band of music played during the repast, and the evening concluded with a concert in the saloon.