The Spectre Bridegroom by Washington Irving. Short summary

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Count von Alternburg travels with his friend to visit his fiancée, the daughter of Baron von Landshorst. On the way, they are attacked by brigands and the Count is killed. The friend goes to the baron to inform him of the death of the groom.

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Baron von Landshorst’s estate was located in southern Germany. The baron had a beautiful daughter who had been betrothed to Count von Altenburg since childhood.

And so the Count von Alternburg is on his way to see his bride. On his way to the baron’s castle, the count met his friend, Hermann von Starkenfaust. They rode together. On the way they were attacked by robbers, and the Count was killed. Hermann went to the baron’s castle with the sad news.

But Herman did not have time to say anything at the castle — he was mistaken for the bridegroom. And when he saw his bride, he himself changed his mind to tell his friend that he had died. The girl also liked the young man.

During the feast, the groom suddenly stood up from the table and announced that he was a ghost and a grave awaited him. Then Hermann mounted his horse and rushed away. The next day, a messenger told him that the young count had been killed by robbers.

In the night, the bride disappeared. Everyone thought that she had been carried away by a ghost. But soon the girl returned with Herman, who confessed everything. The baron was happy that his daughter had married a man and not a ghost.