Gothic Mystery of the Hilton Abbey Tower…or, Day Two of Jane Austen Society in Portland.

Just as Catherine Morland suspected a woman to be languishing trapped in a tower of Northanger Abbey in Jane Austen’s book by the same name, we had a little suspicion about the mysterious 23rd floor of the Hilton……But more on that later………..

Today’s busy schedule included………..

Boehms fudge from Washington and an Anniversary card from my husband, tucked away in my suitcase as a surprise!

And if that’s not romantic enough, a lively morning with Mr. Tilney and his staunch Team Tilney defenders.

Viewing first editions of Jane Austen novels and also novels, conduct books, and satirical cartoons by her contemporaries.

Not far from the library, we made a stop at Button and Ribbon Emporium. Just look at these cards of exquisite beaded lace!

And of course, plenty of buttons.

We went to to the Portland Art Museum to see the Rose Garland Dancers.

I took this on the walk back to the Hilton.

Laurie Viera Rigler signed my ’Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict’ and ‘Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict’ books.

And there were costumes!

Kelly Kirchner from the Jasna Portland Region.

Janet

Ellen

It seemed a very normal first half of the Jane Austen Society gathering………..But things were about to change!

It started when we entered a crowded elevator and pushed the button for the 22nd floor. Another hotel patron exclaimed that he had not thought those upper floors existed, and had not seen them in use.

We assured him we WERE on the 22nd floor, and departed to our room, but soon began to wonder about the mysterious 23rd floor.

Could this be the source of the strange noises at night, and the ghostly figure near the elevator?

   Late at night my mother and I decided to go investigate!

 

The thick stone walls of the tower led us up a narrow passageway, the end of which was blocked by an old iron gate. Terrified we silently made our way up the passage.

Was that a noise? Mom fainted………..

And I ran mad.

Until we decided the safest course of action was to return to our room and resume novel reading.

-Lynnae