A small gathering at a newly purchased house in a Norfolk village leads to a discussion between Geoffrey Aldwych's wife and a guest about the nature of psychical phenomena. After an unsuccessful attempt to turn a table, they theorize about the connection between the mind and material objects. The conversation shifts to the idea that emotions and mental states can influence inanimate objects, suggesting that past events can leave an imprint on places, leading to hauntings. Mrs. Aldwych recounts her own experience of terror while alone in the house. One night, she awakens in a state of fear, sensing an impending presence. As she listens, she hears footsteps and the sound of someone groping along the passage outside her room. Despite her terror, she finds the passage empty when she investigates, and the fear dissipates. Later, Mrs. Denison, the previous owner, shares the house's dark history: a murder that occurred centuries ago involving a young heiress, Helen Denison, who was attacked by two men. The ghost is said to be heard only during the early morning hours, coinciding with the time of the murder. Mrs. Aldwych theorizes that the sounds she heard were echoes of Helen's desperate attempt to escape her attackers, suggesting that intense emotions can leave a lasting imprint on the environment. The narrative explores the intersection of fear, memory, and the physical world, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of reality and the unseen forces that may linger in haunted spaces.
By E.F. Benson · First published 1925 · Genre: Horror, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction