An excerpt that implies that Alice's ghost is free
An excerpt from Chapter 21, “The Departure,” that implies that Alice's ghost
is free to leave the house, just as the living Pyncheons can escape their imprisonment
Maule's well, all this time, though left in solitude, was throwing up a
succession of kaleidoscopic pictures, in which a gifted eye might have
seen foreshadowed the coming fortunes of Hepzibah and Clifford, and the
descendant of the legendary wizard, and the village-maiden, over whom he
had thrown Love's web of sorcery. The Pyncheon-elm, moreover, with what
foliage the September gale had spared to it, whispered unintelligible prophecies.
And wise Uncle Venner, passing slowly from the ruinous porch, seemed to
hear a strain of music, and fancied that sweet Alice Pyncheon--after witnessing
these deeds, this by-gone woe and this present happiness, of her kindred
mortals--had given one farewell touch of a spirit's joy upon her harpsichord,
as she floated heavenward from the HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES! (Chapter
21)
