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| Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come |
Chapter 4 - The Last of the Spirits
The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.
It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its
head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched
hand. But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the
night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.
He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside
him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew
no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.
"I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To
Come?'' said Scrooge.
The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.
"You are about to show me shadows of the things that have
not happened, but will happen in the time before us,'' Scrooge pursued. "Is
that so, Spirit?''
The upper portion of the garment was contracted for an
instant in its folds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only
answer he received.
Although well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge
feared the silent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him, and he
found that he could hardly stand when he prepared to follow it. The Spirit
paused a moment, as observing his condition, and giving him time to recover.
But Scrooge was all the worse for this. It thrilled him with
a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the dusky shroud, there were
ghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he, though he stretched his own to
the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great heap of black.
"Ghost of the Future!'' he exclaimed, "I fear you more
than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and
as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you
company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?''
It gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before
them.
"Lead on!'' said Scrooge. "Lead on! The night is waning
fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!''
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