To answer this question, take a look at the conversation between Sir Simon, the ghost, and Virginia in chapter 5. As they get to know each other better, the ghost reveals the reason why his soul has roamed restlessly for the last three hundred years.
What he tells Virginia is that he must receive forgiveness for the great sin he committed when he was alive. That is the sin of murdering his wife. In order to receive this forgiveness, he needs somebody to pray with him and to cry for him (because he has no tears of his own).
Once he has forgiveness, his soul will no longer roam. He will be able to sleep in the Garden of Death and will never bother the residents of Canterville Chase again.
Fortunately, Virginia Otis is kind enough to help Sir Simon in this great task. She agrees to pray with him and cry for him, proving that she really is the "golden girl" mentioned in the prophecy on the library window.
The ghost, Sir Simon, had murdered his wife more than 300 years before. Because of doing such a terrible deed, and having no faith with which to repent, Sir Simon is forced to haunt Canterville Hall. He is living in a ghostly limbo as punishment—remaining neither alive nor dead. He longs for the peace that death would bring. He longs to forget life, yet he is unable to die.
According to the prophecy in the tapestry room window, it will take the tears and the prayer of a "golden girl" to bring Sir Simon to his final rest. When he finally is at rest, then peace will come to Canterville Hall.
That girl is Virginia, who is pure and loving. Virginia agrees to intercede on the ghost's behalf. She prays that he be released to death.
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