She was one evening accompanied by a young singer, in her coach, on a visit to a friend’s.  He had heard of this mysterious affair, and being of a lively disposition, expressed some doubts on the subject.  I most ardently wish, continued he, to hear the voice of your invisible companion; do call him, there are two of us, we shall not be frightened.  Without reflecting, she had the courage to summon the spirit, and presently, from the floor of the coach arose the appalling sound; it was repeated three times, in rapid succession, and died away in a hollow moan.  When the door of the carriage was opened, both were found in a swoon, and it was some time before they were restored and could inform those present of their unhappy adventure.

This frequent repetition at length affected her health; and the spirit, who seemed to have compassion on her, for some weeks gave no signs of his presence.  She even began to cherish a hope that she was now entirely rid of him—­but in this she was mistaken.

When the Carnival was over, she went into the country on a visit, in the company of a lady, and attended only by one waiting maid.  Night overtook them before they could reach their journey’s end; and suffering an interruption, from the breaking of a chain, they were compelled to stop for the night at an obscure inn by the road side.  Fatigue made Antonelli seek for repose immediately on their arrival; and she had just lain down, when the waiting-maid, who was arranging a night-lamp, in a jesting tone, observed, “We are here, in a manner, at the end of the earth, and the weather is horrible; will he be able to find us here?” That moment the voice was heard, louder and more terrible than ever.  The lady imagined the room filled with demons, and, leaping out of bed, ran down stairs, alarming the whole house.  Nobody slept a wink that night.  This was the last time the voice was heard.  But this unwelcome visiter had soon another and more disagreeable method of notifying his presence.

She had been left in peace some time, when one evening, at the usual hour, while she was sitting at table with her friends, she was startled at the discharge of a gun or a well-charged pistol; it seemed to have passed through the window.  All present heard the report and saw the flash, but on examination the pane was found uninjured.  The company was nevertheless greatly concerned, and it was generally believed that some one’s life had been attempted.  Some present ran to the police, while the rest searched the adjoining houses;—­but in vain; nothing was discovered that could excite the least suspicion.  The next evening sentinels were stationed at all the neighbouring windows; the house itself, where Antonelli lived, was closely searched, and spies were placed in the street.