 The weird circle. In this cave, by the restless sea, we are met to call from out the past stories, strange, and weird. Bellkeeper, hold the bell, so all may know we are gathered again in the weird circle. Speak again the immortal tale, the return. Here comes the hearse. Poor lady Legia, what a tragedy it was, Ellen. Look how the village folks lie the streets. Look, he rides in the carriage directly behind the coffin. Poor sir Charles, what will he do now? Why didn't he tell you? Now you know that you're his favorite in service. The other night when I was taking him his late cup of tea, he said, Ellen, I'm going away for a long time. I'm afraid I'll have to leave everything to you and Jacob. The whole of Landville Castle? Did he say that? He did. So he's leaving right after the coffins lowered in the ground directly after. How grieved she is to think. Three days ago, Lady Legia was laughing and dancing at the ball. And now they're putting her money in the ground. Does any of us know we'll be alive tomorrow? It's not so strange. Accidents happen every day. She should have been careful not to go so near the cliff. Oh, the cliff. I tell you, Ellen, Sir Charles should put a tall fence around it to keep folks away. It's that dangerous. Look, the coast is padded. Look at all the snow-white lilies. They were her favorites, lilies. But you, Ellen, I haven't seen you shed a single tear. Well, it's hard, too. I don't believe she's really dead at all. What would you mean by that? You'll not say I told you now. Not a word. And you promise not to be frightened? Of course not. Whatever is it? Well, I've been saying to myself how much better I'd feel for telling it to somebody. Then come tell it to me. Well, it's not that I mean she's not dead. She is, of course, but only last night, Jacob. Yes? I found some of the funeral lilies in a vase in the library. Oh, well, what of that? There was Lady Legia who put them there. Her ghost, Jacob. Her ever-living ghost. Well, how do you know that? Because I heard her wailing from the sea, wailing for Sir Charles to come back. Now I've told you. And you mustn't breathe it to a soul, do you hear? Not a soul, Ellen. Not a soul. Into the carriage, Sir Charles. Thank you, Jacob. Goodbye, Ellen. Jacob, take good care of Granville Castle. Goodbye, Sir Charles. And please, sir, take care of yourself. Yes, I will. Good night, sir. We'll watch over the castle good and proper, sir. I know you will. Go ahead, driver. Goodbye. How don't you hear from me? Goodbye, Sir Charles. Goodbye, Sir Charles. Sir Charles. Sir Charles. Run away. But wherever you go, wherever you are, you will come back to me. For all roads lead to Legia. To Legia. To Legia. So, Ellen, I've seen the world, nearly all of it, I suppose, and the months have quickly slipped by. It seems only yesterday I left you and Jacob at Granville Castle. Four years aren't so very long after all. But this isn't what I'm writing to say. Ellen, there's one thing more. It's by way of a surprise, a wonderful surprise. I won't tell you what. But have Lady Legia's rooms all set and cleaned and prepare dinner for two on Wednesday. There I've told you without intention my best regards to you and Jacob, Sir Charles. Well, did you ever? Jacob, he's gone and gotten himself married again. You mark my words. Well, that's good. I hope he has. Indeed I do. Wednesday. Why, that's day after tomorrow. Jacob will have to hire more servants. Now, tomorrow morning... Sir Charles. Ellen, listen. Sir Charles. Come home. Come home. It's her again. Lady Legia. Now you've heard it, too. She's been here all these years, Jacob, waiting, waiting for him to come back again. The ghost. The castle's haunted by her ghost. Now you believe me. Many at the time I've heard her crying in the sea wind, roaming through the big halls, her footfalls soft on the stairs. But I've never been afraid until now. Until she laughed just then. This is a terrible thing. What could she want here, Ellen? We mustn't let on. We know anything about it, Jacob. Not to a soul. Come on, now it's late. But, Ellen... You see, Lady Legia's ghost cries for Sir Charles to join her. And now he can never do that, don't you see? You mean, because he's married again? Yes. And when the ghost finds out he belongs to someone else, what will she do? It's that that frightens. Snuff the candles and close the shutters tight. Oh, Charles. What a happy day this is. The day's happy because of you, Loina. And I'm happy, too, because you make me so. Do I, Charles? Oh, it's good to see your eyes so bright. Remember in London how gloomy you were. How sad you seem. That's all gone because of you. Have you really forgotten her, Charles? Completely, Loina. Forever. Did you love her very much? Yeah, now, you made me promise weeks ago not to speak of her again. But she was so famous for her beauty, and I am curious. You're beautiful. Do you know I think I've been in love with you since that day your father brought you to Grandville Castle and we sailed our paper boats. Oh, my God. We were only six or seven years old. I know we were. I don't ever remember having such a jolly time as we did that day. I thought of that day. I remember such a little thing as the paper boat. And then I remember thinking, Lady Loina Treveniel of Tremaine belongs in Grandville Castle. I am in love with her. And then we said, how do you do? And before you knew it, you were married. The Lady Loina had sneered you as they say in London. Charles. Oh, Charles, look. There's the castle. I love it standing there on that high bluff overlooking the sea. We'll be there in no time now, darling. How impressive it is. Oh, how exciting, Charles. I'm in love with it already. Loina. What's the matter? Nothing, Charles. It's nothing. You've gone white. Are you ill? No. No, it's nothing. Just the excitement, I suppose. I felt a little jab at my heart as if it were pricked with an icicle. Oh, Loina. My darling. It's gone now. Quite all right. But, Charles... It's nothing. How silly I am. You see what being in love with Sir Charles Glambill does to us? She grows faint with a kind of wonderful happiness. What delicious tea, Ellen. Thank you, Lady Loina. Jacob has lighted a fire in the library, Sir Charles. All right, Ellen. Shall we go into the fire, Loina? Charles. Do you have any questions? Of course, my darling. Will you forgive me? It's about Legia. What is it now? Something rather strange, I think. Was she a little taller than I? Blue eyes, very black and lovely hair and a beautiful smile. Oh, yes. How did you know? Twice this evening I've had a kind of glimpse of her. Loina, what do you mean? I mean this afternoon in the carriage the picture of a past for a second through my mind, I saw her quite clearly. Then tonight at dinner when I spoke of the draft in the room I saw her again. Loina, those flowers. Ellen! Ellen, come here! Charles, what is it? I won't have them here. Yes, Sir Charles, what is it, sir? Those lilies in that vase. Take them out. Oh, Sir Charles, what shall I do with them? I've been afraid to throw them out. The mountains, Ellen, why? Because they're her flowers. Thank you. But those lilies have been there white and beautiful as snow since the day she died five years ago. What? Ellen, you can't believe something. It's true, sir. It's true. They're more in the chapel. Then we should leave them, Charles. What difference can a dozen lilies make? All right, Ellen. Leave them here. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Has Jacob blocked up for the night? Yes, sir, he has. Come with me, you look. Come, my darling. The fire's warm and the room's cozy with it. Oh, Loina. That terrible depression's coming back. It's here, everywhere in the castle. A brooding, haunting fear. I'm afraid. I don't know why, Loina, but I'm afraid. My darling, there's nothing to be afraid of. It was like this before. Even the first night after she died when her body lay in the chapel covered with flowers. What is it? Charles, the wind's blown open. The terrace doors. What is it? Something blew in the window from the sea. Charles, it's on my shoulder. Get it off. Get it off. Loina, there. Now it's gone. Oh, awful. Oh, wet and slimy. Charles, close the window. My darling. Seaweed from the sea. It was in the wind. My throat or Charles, take it out. Yeah, I'll shove it on the heart. There now. Oh, my darling, don't be afraid. It was like cold hands tightening about my throat. Charles, we're not alone. There's someone here in the room. The Gia. The Gia. She was always here. Loina, there's something I must tell you. What is it, Charles? I hated her. I never loved her at all. Charles. It was long ago. Both she and I were so young when the marriage was arranged. The Gia was beautiful and strong. She loved me more than I could understand. Charles. Then one night I made up my mind to get away. She grew wild with anger. I left the house and she followed me to the cliff. My darling. She was always indifferent to danger. She threatened to throw herself over the bluff into the sea if I persisted and went away. And then... Something had happened. I saw her slip. A bit of earth gave way. I grabbed for her, but it was too late. She fell like a stricken bird under the rocks and surfed below. But, Charles, you can't blame yourself for such an accident. That night she said something I'll never forget. What was it? She said, if you go away, I'll follow you, Charles. You can't escape me. Never. Even when I'm dead, I'll follow you. Wait and see. Listen, what is it? Ligia. She's here. Here in the room. But why? She's come for me. Charles. The little stab at my heart. Ligia's come for me. Never forgive me for bringing you here. Charles, don't fret. I'm not afraid of this gold. Ellen. What harm can a phantom do worse? But this pain in your heart, it frightens me. And you said... Charles, I mean Ligia's jealous. It's a wicked jealousy that haunts the castle. Did you call, sir Charles? Yes, Ellen. Lady Louina's not well. I'm going to carry her upstairs. Will you take the candle for me? But I can walk, Charles. Really, I can. And if you feel well enough to walk, let's go away from here now. Oh, Louina, say you will. Leave Glenville Castle. Oh, Charles, we've only just come. No, you carry me upstairs, if you wish. But let's stay here. It's our home. Whatever will I do with her? There now. Your light is a feather. This way, sir. I'll open the door. Thank you, Ellen. Has she been haunting the castle all these years that Charles was away? I suppose you could say she has, ma'am. Now and again I've heard her climbing these very stairs. And laughing. Very happy like. But mostly I've heard her outside on the bluff. How do you mean, Ellen? Well, it's just that... Well, sir, I think that's where she comes from. The cliff where she died. Jacob never heard her wailings in the sea winds, but many's the night I have. Her voice seems like part of the surf and the wind, if you know what I mean. Here, sir, I'll open the bedroom door. Thank you. Charles. How solemn you are. Let me down gently now. There. Adjust the pillows, Ellen. Oh, ma'am. Forgive me for speaking so, but the way things are, I think, sir, Charles is right. You should go away. Now, Ellen, I wager the phantom is already gone and your fears are for nothing. Charles, where are you going? I thought I heard a sound on the stairs. Oh, my darling. You can make light of this thing, but I tell you there's more to it than you know. There's evil, hatred and evil here. Where are you going? I'm going outside to the cliff. Ellen, stay here with her. He's gone. I'm here, ma'am. It's not that. Don't you see? She'll never let us be happy, Ellen, never. And she'll take him away from me somehow. I don't know how, but somehow she will. Ligia, where are you? Ligia, listen to me. I'll do anything you say, anything if I can only right the wrong. I appeal to you, Ligia. What would you have for Charles? Happiness with Lady Luina? Ligia, it is you. Part of the sea and the wind am I, sir Charles, until you come to me. Leave me alone, Ligia. Let me live my life. There in the castle and here by the sea, I've waited. And you've come back again as I knew you would someday. No, no, not to you. To me, sir Charles, come to me now. The path lies downward to the rocks and the surf. It is but a step from where you are to me. Come on. No, I don't love you. I never did. You know that. Then I shall haunt you till you do, sir Charles, until you do. Ligia, where are you? Come back. The laughter moves to the castle. Luina, Luina! Lady Luina, all right? Oh, sir, I'm glad you've come. Something's terribly wrong with my mistress. Luina, my darling, what's the matter? Don't fetch me the cold coffee. I should never have left you. Never. I feel so tired, Charles. So tired. This compress on your forehead, ma'am, it'll do you good. Does she have fever, Ellen? No, sir. This illness came upon her quite suddenly, like a little while ago. I'll be all right. Soon I'll be all right. Ellen, we've got to get her out of here. Now. Oh, sir Charles, I'd be afraid to risk it. It's her heart, I think. Feel how it beats. No. Jacob. Yes, sir. Get the carriage. Go for the village doctor. Tell him late that Glanville is ill. Dangerously. He'll tell him anything, but get him back here quick. Yes, sir. Fast as I can. Ellen, close the door. Is the window locked? Yes, sir. It is. I'll lock the door. How can we keep the ghost away, Ellen? How? We must. We must. Oh, Luina. I'll take you away from here soon. Soon as you're able to go. Charles, Charles, hold my hand. Why? Why, it's cold. Don't be afraid, darling. I'm not here with you. I am afraid. Help me, Charles. How can I fight when the phantom comes? But she won't come, Luina. Soon the doctor will be here. He'll make things right again. It's only some illness. Charles, poor Charles. I should never have come to Glanville. You belong to Legia to no one else. She'll never let you go. Listen, listen. Legia comes for me, Charles, now. No, Luina, it's nothing. We're imagining it. She's coming nearer, sir. What shall we do? I've lost. Charles, I'm afraid of her. Help me. Help me. The lock. The lock turned. Legia, in the name of heaven, leave us alone. I'll do anything you say, anything, but leave us alone. Look, sir, the lilies moved. She's there by the table touching the white lilies. The lilies are a symbol of my ghostly eternity, sir Charles. When the lilies wither in faith, you're Legia dying. She stands near your side. Clearly, I can see her now. And she reaches... Cover's from her. What will you do? Legia, no matter if we stay here, hurry up. Carry her to the chapel. Why didn't we think of the chapel before? Luina, darling, relax in my arms. It'll be only a moment. Charles, wait. Look there. Her eyes are closed. Luina. Luina. The phantom has murdered her. Try to reach me, Legia. I like this castle tight as a drum, and your loneliness will torment you till the walls rot and crumble away. See what you've done. You've killed her. Your evil jealousy has smothered my lady to death. Oh, how terrible, sir. How terrible. Come. Take her to the chapel. We will pray for her soul. We will pray for her soul. And lay here there before the altar, sir Charles. It's where the GLA. Some of her lilies are here still. Now they're Luina's lilies. It's nearly morning, Ellen. Jacob will be returned soon. Have him send the doctor away again. Come away yourself, sir Charles. Take her up again. The air here is cold and damp. In a little while, Ellen. She's so beautiful in the candlelight. Sir Charles. Her brother moves. I thought clearly then. Luina. Oh, Luina. Her pulse is throbbing. Oh, praise heaven. It's a miracle, sir. Help me rub her wrist. Quickly there. Wait. She opens her eyes. Luina. Oh, you're all right. We were so frightened, my darling. We thought... Poor Charles. You thought I was dead? Yes. Yes. But you're alive. You're alive. Oh, how glad I am. How glad. And you came back to me, Charles. Back to me, Charles. Just as I knew you would someday. Luina. Your voice. Sir Charles. Sir Charles. It's the Lady Legea. Her spirit has entered the body of your wife. I've come back to you, Charles. The only way I could. Legea. Take care of me now until this body is well. And then I'll be Mistress of Glanville and the wife of Sir Charles again. Legea. You're a devil. Only because I love my life so much in you more than I could bear. I pity Charles and love me too. No, Legea. No. In time, you will, my darling. Where's she? Where's the Lady Luina? Somewhere in the wind. Even as I was. Luina. How useless that is, my Charles. Luina. Come to me now. And pity my wretchedness. And give me peace. Luina. Oh, Lady Legea, come back. Leave him be. Leave him be. Come back, Lady Legea. Come back. Ellen. Ellen, what's happened here? I've brought the doctor. Oh, Jacob, help me quickly now. We must go after him, Sir Charles. I saw him just running toward the cliff and the Lady Luina after him. Well, quick, then, before it's too late. No, Ellen. On the cliff. Jacob, hurry. It's, it's, it's the Lady Luina. No, Jacob. It's the Lady Legea who has entered the body of Lady Luina. Jacob. Look in the morning light. Far below on the rocks. It's Sir Charles. Oh, how terrible. How terrible he is. He died just as the Lady Legea herself went. So long ago. We must get her inside out of the wind. How cold she is. She's coming around. Take her up, Jacob. In the castle. No, Ellen. There's no need for that. Is he dead? Yes. On the rocks below. I tried to save him. I didn't want him to die. Don't talk, ma'am. The doctor's here. Ellen, I cannot stay now. Yes, ma'am. I know. I've lost him forever. To her. To Luina. He loved her truly, Ellen. Indeed. That he did. And so did I, but not truly. Instead I loved him whole. Too selfishly because he was my life and I loved my life most of all. But now I cannot stay. But, Jacob, take me into the chapel and pray that my soul may find rest. Gladly, ma'am. We'll both pray for you. And as you pray, watch the lilies on the altar. I promise you they will wither and turn brown and die. Ellen. She's dead, Jacob. A woman with two lives. Take her up and into the chapel. Let us pray for her soul. The jeer and the lilies are dead. From the time-worn pages of the past, we have brought you the story, The Returned.