The suggested collection of short stories consists of selected works of a famous 19th century writer Elizabeth Gaskell (1810—1865). The stories represent the genre of gothic fiction. The author artfully pictures the atmosphere of horror and mystery that is common for gothic tradition. At the same time the writer delicately and free of pedantry weaves into her stories Victorian moral values and demonstrates refined sense of humor. Mystic events are naturally intertwined with real ones thus making Elizabeth Gaskell's literary works particularly attractive.