The haunted legend of Charleston's Sword Gate House, once known as the Talvande Mansion, is primarily tied to the ghost of its strict former headmistress, Madame Talvande. The property is also said to be haunted by a male spirit. The manor, located at 32 Legare Street, was formerly a prestigious boarding school for young women and is now a private residence. The central figure in the home's hauntings is Madame Talvande, who ran a finishing school in the mansion in the 1800s. The legend states that after one of her students scandalously eloped, Madame Talvande became obsessed with preventing further escapes and constructed a high wall topped with broken glass to make the mansion inescapable. Though she was eventually forgiven by society, she is said to have never forgiven herself and felt her reputation was ruined. A full-body apparition seen on the top-floor piazza, appearing to scan the grounds for would-be escapists. Her spirit floating along the upstairs hallways, peering into bedrooms to keep a watchful eye on her long-ago charges. Appearing late at night, checking on the rooms to ensure no one has run off. Some have heard the front door swing open and heavy footsteps coming from the entry to the north hall. The apparition of a cavalier was allegedly seen by a family cook walking through the large dining room towards the game room. Some speculate this may be the ghost of Maria Whaley's fiancé, George Morris. Frightened honeymooners staying at the house when it operated as an inn reportedly left terrified in the middle of the night after an encounter with a ghost.