The Canterville Ghost

'That means,' said the ghost sadly, `that you must weep with me for my sins, because I have no tears, and pray with me for my soul, because I have no faith, and then, if you have always been sweet, and good, and gentle, the Angel of Death will have mercy on me. You will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell cannot prevail.'

Virginia made no answer, and the Ghost wrung his hands in wild despair as he looked down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange light in her eyes. 'I am not afraid,' she said firmly, `and I will ask the Angel to have mercy on you.'

He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old-fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the darkening room.

Vocabulary:

Weep: Cry.
Faith: Believing that something is true.
Fearful: Here it means 'frightening'.
Purity: Without anything bad.
Prevail: Win.
Wrung: Past of 'Wring': Shake and squeeze.
Bowed: Bent forward
Faint: Very quiet or soft
Grace: Elegance.
Falter: Hesitate