The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole [Unabridged Edition]

Purported to be the translation of an Italian manuscript, THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO tells the story of Manfred, lord of Otranto in Italy whose sickly son Conrad is set to marry. Manfred is apprehensive, since an ancient prophecy foretells of the extinction of the family. Just prior to Conrad's wedding, he is killed in a most disturbing way, leading to Manfred to believe that the ancient doom of Otranto is nigh at hand.