第8章
Dinnerwasannounced。FunkelsteintookMissCameron，HughMrs。
Elton，andMr。ArnoldfollowedwithLadyEmily，whowouldneverprecedeherolderfriend。HughtriedtotalktoMrs。Elton，butwithmeagresuccess。Hewassuddenlyanobody，andfeltmorethanhehadfeltforalongtimewhat，inhispresentdeterioratedmoralstate，heconsideredthedegradationofhisposition。AgulfseemedtohavesuddenlyyawnedbetweenhimselfandEuphra，andtheloudestvoiceofhisdespairingagonycouldnotreachacrossthatgulf。Anawfulconvictionawokewithinhim，thatthewomanheworshippedwouldscarcelyreceivehisworshipattheworthofincensenow；andyetinspirithefelldowngrovellingbeforehisidol。Thewords“euphrasyandrue“keptringinginhisbrain，comingoverandoverwithanawfulminglingofchimeandtoll。Whenhethoughtaboutitafterwards，heseemedtohavebeenayearincrossingthehallwithMrs。Eltononhisarm。Butasifdivininghisthoughts——justastheypassedthroughthedining-roomdoor，Euphralookedroundathim，almostoverFunkelstein"sshoulder，and，withoutputtingintoherfacetheleastexpressiondiscerniblebyeitheroftheothersfollowing，contrivedtobanishforthetimeallHugh"sdespair，andtoconvincehimthathehadnothingtofearfromFunkelstein。HowitwasdoneHughhimselfcouldnottell。Hecouldnotevenrecallthelook。Heonlyknewthathehadbeenasmiserableasonewakinginhiscoffin，andthatnowhewasoutinthesunnyair。
Duringdinner，FunkelsteinpaidnoveryparticularattentiontoEuphrasia，butwasremarkablypolitetoLadyEmily。Sheseemedhardlytoknowhowtoreceivehisattentions，buttoregardhimasastrangeanimal，whichshedidnotknowhowtotreat，andofwhichshewasalittleafraid。Mrs。Elton，onthecontrary，appearedtobedelightedwithhisbehaviourandconversation；for，withoutshowingtheleastoriginality，heyethadseensomuch，andknewsowellhowtobringoutwhathehadseen，thathewasamostinterestingcompanion。Hughtooklittleshareintheconversationbeyondlisteningaswellashecould，topreventhimselffromgazingtoomuchatEuphra。
“HadMr。Sutherlandandyoubeenoldacquaintancesthen，HerrvonFunkelstein？”askedMr。Arnold，revertingtotheconversationwhichhadbeeninterruptedbytheannouncementofdinner。
“Notatall。Wemetquiteaccidentally，andintroducedourselves。
Ibelieveathunderstormandalectureonbiologywerethemediatingpartiesbetweenus。Wasitnotso，Mr。Sutherland？”
“Ibegyourpardon，“stammeredHugh。ButMr。Arnoldinterposed：
“Alectureonwhat，didyousay？”
“Onbiology。“
Mr。Arnoldlookedposed。Hedidnotliketosayhedidnotknowwhatthewordmeant；for，likemanymoreignorantmen，hethoughtsuchaconfessionhumiliating。VonFunkelsteinhastenedtohisrelief。
“Itwouldberathersurprisingifyouwereacquaintedwiththesubject，Mr。Arnold。Ifeartoexplainittoyou，lestbothMr。
Sutherlandandmyselfshouldsinkirrecoverablyinyourestimation。
Butyoungmenwanttoknowallthatisgoingon。“
HerrFunkelsteinwasnotexactlywhatonewouldcallayoungman；
but，ashechosetodosohimself，therewasnoonetodisputetheclassification。
“Oh！ofcourse，“repliedMr。Arnold；“quiteright。What，then，pray，isbiology？”
“Ascience，falselysocalled，“saidHugh，who，wakingupalittle，wantedtojoinintheconversation。
“Whatdoesthewordmean？”saidMr。Arnold。
VonFunkelsteinansweredatonce：
“Thescienceoflife。ButImustsay，thename，asnowapplied，isnoindicationofthethingsignified。“
“How，then，isagentlemantoknowwhatitis？”saidMr。Arnold，halfpettishly，andforgettingthathisknowledgehadnotextendedeventotheinterpretationofthename。
“Itisoneofthesciences，trueorfalse，connectedwithanimalmagnetism。“
“Bah！”exclaimedMr。Arnold，ratherrudely。
“Youwouldhavesaidso，ifyouhadheardthelecture，“saidFunkelstein。
Theconversationhadnottakenthisturntillquitelateinthediningceremony。Euphrarosetogo；andHughremarkedthatherfacewasdreadfullypale。Butshewalkedsteadilyoutoftheroom。
Thisinterruptedthecourseofthetalk，andthesubjectwasnotresumed。Immediatelyaftertea，whichwasservedverysoon，Funkelsteintookhisleaveoftheladies。
“Weshallbegladtoseeyouoftenwhileinthisneighbourhood，“
saidMr。Arnold，ashebadehimgoodnight。
“Ishall，withoutfail，domyselfthehonourofcallingagainsoon，“
repliedhe，andbowedhimselfout。
LadyEmily，evidentlyrelievedbyhisdeparture，rose，and，approachingEuphra，said，inasweetcoaxingtone，whichevenshecouldhardlyhaveresisted：
“DearMissCameron，youpromisedtosing，formeinparticular，someevening。MayIclaimthefulfilmentofyourpromise？”
Euphrahadrecoveredhercomplexion，andshetooseemedtoHughtoberelievedbythedepartureofFunkelstein。
“Certainly，“sheanswered，risingatonce。“WhatshallIsing？”
Hughwasallearnow。
“Somethingsacred，ifyouplease。“
Euphrahesitated，butnotlong。
“ShallIsingMozart"sAgnusDei，then？”
LadyEmilyhesitatedinherturn。
“Ishouldprefersomethingelse。Idon"tapproveofsingingpopishmusic，howeverbeautifulitmaybe。“
“Well，whatshallitbe？”
“SomethingofHandelorMendelssohn，please。Doyousing，"IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth？"“
“IdaresayIcansingit，“repliedEuphra，withsomepetulance；andwenttothepiano。
ThiswasafavouriteairwithHugh；andheplacedhimselfsoastoseethesingerwithoutbeingseenhimself，andtolosenoslightestmodulationofhervoice。Butwhatwashisdisappointmenttofindthatoratorio-musicwasjustwhatEuphrawasincapableof！Nodoubtshesangitquitecorrectly；buttherewasnoreligioninit。Notasingletoneworshippedorrejoiced。Thequalityofsoundnecessarytoexpressthefeelingandthoughtofthecomposerwaslacking：thepalaceofsoundwasallrightconstructed，butofwrongmaterial。
Euphra，however，wasquiteunconsciousoffailure。Shedidnotcareforthemusic；butsheattributedherlackofinterestinittothemusicitself，neverdreamingthat，infact，shehadneverreallyheardit，havingnoinnerearforitsdeeperharmonies。Assoonasshehadfinished，LadyEmilythankedher，butdidnotpraisehermorethanbysaying：
“IwishIhadavoicelikeyours，MissCameron。“
“Idaresayyouhaveabetterofyourown，“saidEuphra，falsely。
LadyEmilylaughed。
“Itisthepoorestlittlevoiceyoueverheard；yetIconfessIamglad，formyownsake，thatIhaveeventhat。WhatshouldIdoifI
neverheardHandel！”
Everysimplemindhasalittlewellofbeautysomewhereinitsprecincts，whichflowsandwarbles，evenwhentheownerisunheedful。ThereligionofLadyEmilyhadledherintoaregionfarbeyondthereachofherintellect，inwhichtheresprangaconstantfountainofsacredsong。Toitsheowedherhighestmoods。
“ThenHandelisyourmusician？”saidEuphra。“Youshouldnothaveputmetosuchatest。Itwasveryunfairofyou，LadyEmily。“
LadyEmilylaughed，asifquiteamusedattheideaofhavingdoneEuphraanywrong。Euphraadded：
“Youmustsingnow，LadyEmily。Youcannotrefuse，aftertheadmissionyouhavejustmade。“
“Iconfessitisonlyfair；butIwarnyoutoexpectnothing。“
Shetookherplaceatthepiano，andsang——Heshallfeedhisflock。
HerhealthhadimprovedsomuchduringhersojournatArnstead，that，whenshebegantosing，thequantityofhervoicesurprisedherself；butafterall，itwasapoorvoice；andtheexecution，ifclearofanygreatfaults，madenootherpretencetomerit。Yetsheeffectedtheendofthemusic，theveryresultwhicheverymusicianwouldmostdesire，whereinEuphrahadfailedutterly。Thiswasworthyofnote，andHughwasnotevenyettooblindtoperceiveit。
LadyEmily，withveryordinaryintellect，andpaltryreligiousopinions，yetbecauseshewasgoodherself，andreligious——could，inthereproductionofthehighestkindofmusic，greatlysurpassthespirited，intellectualmusician，whosevoicewasassuperiortohersasanightingale"stoasparrow"s，andwhoseknowledgeofmusicandmusicalpowergenerally，surpassedhersbeyondallcomparison。
ItmustbeallowedforEuphra，thatsheseemedtohavegainedsomeperceptionofthefact。PerhapsshehadseensignsofemotioninHugh"sface，whichhehadshadedwithhishandasLadyEmilysang；
orperhapsthesingingproducedinherafeelingwhichshehadnothadwhensingingherself。AllIknowis，thatthesamenight——whileHughwaswalkingupanddownhisroom，meditatingonthisdefectofEuphra"s，andyetfeelingthatifshecouldsingonlydevil"smusic，hemustloveher——atapcametothedoorwhichmadehimstartwiththesuggestionoftheformermysteriousnoisesofasimilarkind；
thathesprangtothedoor；andthat，insteadoflookingoutonavacantcorridor，asheallbutanticipated，hesawEuphrastandingthereinthedark——whosaidinawhisper：
“Ah！youdonotlovemeanylonger，becauseLadyEmilycansingpsalmsbetterthanIcan！”
Therewasbothpathosandspiteinthespeech。
“Comein，Euphra。“
“No。IamafraidIhavebeenverynaughtyincominghereatall。“
“Docomein。IwantyoutotellmesomethingaboutFunkelstein。“
“Whatdoyouwanttoknowabouthim？Isupposeyouarejealousofhim。Ah！youmencanbothbejealousandmakejealousatthesamemoment。“Alittlebrokensighfollowed。Hughanswered：
“Ionlywanttoknowwhatheis。“
“Oh！sometwentiethcousinofmine。“
“Mr。Arnolddoesnotknowthat？”
“Ohdear！no。ItissofaroffIcan"tcountit，InfactIdoubtitaltogether。Itmustdatecenturiesback。“
“Hisintimacy，then，isnottobeaccountedforbyhisrelationship？”
“Ah！ah！Ithoughtso。Jealousofthepoorcount！”
“Count？”
“Ohdear！whatdoesitmatter？Hedoesn"tliketobecalledCount，becauseallforeignersarecountsorbarons，orsomethingequallydistinguished。Ioughtn"ttohaveletitout。“
“Nevermind。Tellmesomethingabouthim。“
“HeisaBohemian。Imethimfirst，someyearsago，onthecontinent。“
“Thenthatwasnotyourfirstmeeting——atSirEdwardLaston"s？”
“No。“
“Howcandidsheis！”thoughtHugh。
“Hecallsmehiscousin；butifhebemine，heisyetmoreMr。
Arnold"s。Buthedoesnotwantitmentionedyet。IamsureIdon"tknowwhy。“
“Isheinlovewithyou？”
“HowcanItell？”sheansweredarchly。“Byhisbeingveryjealous？
Isthatthewaytoknowwhetheramanisinlovewithone？Butifheisinlovewithme，itdoesnotfollowthatIaminlovewithhim——doesit？Confess。AmInotverygoodtoanswerallyourimpertinentdownrightquestions？Theyareaspointblankasthechurch-catechism；——mind，Idon"tsayasrude——HowcanIbeinlovewithtwoat——a——？”
Sheseemedtocheekherself。ButHughhadheardenough——asshehadintendedheshould。Sheturnedinstantly，andsped——surroundedbythe“lowmelodiousthunder“ofhersilkengarments——toherowndoor，whereshevanishednoiselessly。
“WhatcareIfororatorios？”saidHughtohimself，asheputthelightout，towardsmorning。
Wherewasallthistoend？WhatgoalhadHughsethimself？Couldhenotgoaway，andachieverenowninoneofmanyways，andreturnfit，intheeyesoftheworld，toclaimthehandofMissCameron？
Butwouldhemarryherifhecould？Hewouldnotanswerthequestion。Heclosedtheearsofhishearttoit，andtriedtogotosleep。Heslept，anddreamedofMargaretinthestorm。
Afewdayspassedwithoutanythingoccurringsufficientlymarkedforrelation。Euphraandheseemedsatisfiedwithoutmeetinginprivate。Perhapsbothwereafraidofcarryingittoofar；atleast，toofartokeepclearoftheriskofdiscovery，seeingthatdangerwasatpresentgreaterthanusual。Mr。Arnoldcontinuedtobethoroughlyattentivetohisguests，andbecamemoreandmoredevotedtoLadyEmily。Therewasnosayingwhereitmightend；forhewasnotanoldmanyet，andLadyEmilyappearedtohavenospecialadmirers。Arnsteadwassuchanabode，andsurroundedwithsuchanestate，asfewevenofthenobilitycouldcalltheirown。AndareminiscenceofhisfirstwifeseemedtohauntallMr。Arnold"scontemplationsofLadyEmily，andallhisattentionstoher。Theseweredelicateintheextreme，evidentlybringingoutthebestlifethatyetremainedinaheartthatwasalmostafossil。HughmadesomefresheffortstodohisdutybyHarry，andsofarsucceeded，thatatleasttheboymadesomeprogress——evidentenoughtothemoderateexpectationsofhisfather。ButwhathelpedHarryasmuchasanything，wasthemotherlykindness，eventenderness，ofgoodMrs。Elton，whooftenhadhimtositwithherinherownroom。Toherhegenerallyfledforrefuge，whenhefeltdesertedandlonely。
CHAPTERXVII。
MATERIALISMaliasGHOST-HUNTING。
WiederMondsichleuchtenddr鋘getDurchdendunkelnWolkenflor，AlsotauchtausdunkelnZeitenMireinlichtesBildhervor。
HEINRICHHEINE
AsthemoonherfaceadvancesThroughthedarkenedcloudyveil；
So，fromdarkenedtimesarising，Dawnsonmeavisionpale。
InconsequenceofwhatEuphrahadcausedhimtobelievewithoutsayingit，Hughfeltmorefriendlytowardshisnewacquaintance；andhappening——onhissideatleastitdidhappen——tomeethimafewdaysafter，walkingintheneighbourhood，hejoinedhiminastroll。
Mr。Arnoldmetthemonhorseback，andinvitedVonFunkelsteintodinewiththemthatevening，towhichhewillinglyconsented。ItwasnoticeablethatnosoonerwasthecountwithinthedoorsofArnsteadHouse，thanhebehavedwithcordialitytoeveryoneofthecompanyexceptHugh。Withhimhemadenoapproachtofamiliarityofanykind，treatinghim，onthecontrary，withstudiouspoliteness。
Inthecourseofthedinner，Mr。Arnoldsaid：
“Itiscurious，HerrvonFunkelstein，howoften，ifyoumeetwithsomethingnewtoyou，youfallinwithitagainalmostimmediately。
IfoundanarticleonBiologyinthenewspaper，theverydayafterourconversationonthesubject。Butabsurdasthewholethingis，itisquitesurpassedbyaletterinto-day"sTimesaboutspirit-rappingandmediums，andwhatnot！”
Thisobservationofthehostatonceopenedthewholequestionofthosephysico-psychologicalphenomenatowhichthenameofspiritualismhasbeensoabsurdlyapplied。Mr。Arnoldwasprofoundinhiscontemptofthewholesystem，ifnotveryprofoundinhisargumentsagainstit。Everyonehadsomethingtoremarkinoppositiontothenotionswhichweresorapidlygaininggroundinthecountry，exceptFunkelstein，whomaintainedarigidsilence。
Thissilencecouldnotcontinuelongwithoutattractingtheattentionoftherestoftheparty；uponwhichMr。Arnoldsaid：
“Youhavenotgivenusyouropiniononthesubject，HerrvonFunkelstein。“
“Ihavenot，Mr。Arnold；——Ishouldnotliketoencountertheoppositionofsomanyfairadversaries，aswellasofmyhost。“
“WeareinEngland，sir；andeverymanisatlibertytosaywhathethinks。Formypart，Ithinkitallabsurd，ifnotimproper。“
“Iwouldnotwillinglydifferfromyou，Mr。Arnold。AndIconfessthatagreatdealthatfindsitswayintothepublicprints，doesseemveryridiculousindeed；butIambound，fortruth"ssake，tosay，thatIhaveseenmorethanIcanaccountfor，inthatkindofthing。Therearestrangestoriesconnectedwithmyownfamily，which，perhaps，inclinemetobelieveinthesupernatural；and，indeed，withoutmakingthesmallestpretencetothedignityofwhattheycallamedium，Ihavemyselfhadsomecuriousexperiences。I
fearIhavesomenaturalproclivitytowardswhatyoudespise。ButI
begthatmystatementofmyownfeelingsonthesubject，maynotinterfereintheleastwiththeprosecutionofthepresentconversation；forIamquitecapableofdrawingpleasurefromlisteningtowhatIamunabletoagreewith。“
“Butletushearyourarguments，strengthenedbyyourfacts，inoppositiontoours；foritwillbeimpossibletotalkwithasilentjudgeamongstus，“Hughventuredtosay。
“Isetupfornojudge，Mr。Sutherland，Iassureyou；andperhapsI
shalldomyopinionsmorejusticebyremainingsilent，seeingIamconsciousofutterinabilitytoanswertheaprioriargumentswhichyouinparticularhavebroughtagainstthem。AllIwouldventuretosayis，thatanaprioriargumentmayoweitsforcetoamistakenhypothesiswithregardtothematterinquestion；andthatthetrueBaconianmethod，whichisthegloryofyourEnglishphilosophy，wouldbetoinquirefirstwhatthethingis，byrecordingobservationsandexperimentsmadeinitssupposeddirection。“
“AtleastHerrvonFunkelsteinhasthebestoftheargumentnow，I
amcompelledtoconfess，“saidHugh。
Funkelsteinbowedstiffly，andwassilent。
“Yourouseourcuriosity，“saidMr。Arnold；“butIfear，afterthefreeutterancewhichwehavealreadygiventoourownjudgments，inignorance，ofcourse，ofyourgreaterexperience，youwillnotbeinclinedtomakeuswiserbycommunicatinganyofthesaidexperience，howevermuchwemaydesiretohearit。“
HadhebeenspeakingtooneoflessevidentsocialstandingthanFunkelstein，Mr。Arnold，ifdyingwithcuriosity，wouldnothaveexpressedtheleastwishtobemadeacquaintedwithhisexperiences。
Hewouldhavesatinapparentindifference，butinrealanxietythatsomeoneelsewoulddrawhimout，andthusgratifyhiscuriositywithoutendangeringhisdignity。
“Idonotthink，“repliedFunkelstein，“thatitisofanyusetobringtestimonytobearonsuchamatter。Ihaveseen——tousethewordsofsomeoneelse，Iforgetwhom，onasimilarsubject——IhaveseenwithmyowneyeswhatIcertainlyshouldneverhavebelievedonthetestimonyofanother。Consequently，Ihavenorighttoexpectthatmytestimonyshouldbereceived。Besides，Idonotwishittobereceived，althoughIconfessIshrinkfrompresentingitwithacertaintyofitsbeingrejected。Ihavenowishtomakeconvertstomyopinions。“
“Really，HerrvonFunkelstein，attheriskofyourconsideringmeimportunate，Iwouldbeg——“
“Excuseme，Mr。Arnold。Therecitalofsomeofthematterstowhichyourefer，wouldnotonlybepainfultomyself，butwouldbeagitatingtotheladiespresent。“
“Inthatcase，Ihaveonlytobegyourpardonforpressingthematter——Ihopenofurtherthantothevergeofincivility。“
“Innodegreeapproachingit，Iassureyou，Mr。Arnold。InproofthatIdonotthinkso，Iamready，ifyouwishit——althoughI
ratherdreadthepossibleeffectsonthenervesoftheladies，especiallyasthisisanoldhouse——torepeat，withtheaidofthosepresent，certainexperimentswhichIhavesometimesfoundperhapsonlytoosuccessful。“
“Oh！Idon"t，“saidEuphra，faintly。
Anexpressionoftheoppositedesirefollowed，however，fromtheotherladies。Theircuriosityseemedtostrivewiththeirfears，andtoovercomethem。
“Ihopeweshallhavenothingtodowithitinanyotherwaythanmerelyasspectators？”saidMrs。Elton。
“Nothingmorethanyouplease。Itisdoubtfulifyoucanevenbespectators。Thatremainstobeseen。“
“Goodgracious！”exclaimedMrs。Elton。
LadyEmilylookedatherwithsurprise——almostreproof。
“Ibegyourpardon，mydear；butitsoundssodreadful。Whatcanitbe？”
“Letmeentreatyou，ladies，nottoimaginethatIamurgingyoutoanything，“saidFunkelstein。
“Notintheleast，“repliedMrs。Elton。“Iwasveryfoolish。“Andtheoldladylookedashamed，andwassilent。
“Thenifyouwillallowme，Iwillmakeonesmallpreparation。Haveyouatool-chestanywhere，Mr。Arnold？”
“Theremustbetoolsenoughabouttheplace，Iknow。IwillringforAtkins。“
“Iknowwherethetoolchestis，“saidHugh；“and，ifyouwillallowmeasuggestion，woulditnotbebettertheservantsshouldknownothingaboutthis？Therearesomefoolishstoriesafloatamongstthemalready。“
“Averypropersuggestion，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，graciously。“Willyoufindallthatiswanted，then？”
“Whattoolsdoyouwant？”askedHugh。
“Onlyasmalldrill。Couldyougetmeanearthenwareplate——notchina——too？”
“Iwillmanagethat，“saidEuphra。
Hughsoonreturnedwiththedrill，andEuphrawiththeplate。TheBohemian，withsomedifficulty，andtheremarkthattheEnglishwarewasveryhard，drilledasmallholeintherimoftheplate——adinner-plate；thenbegginganHBdrawing-pencilfromMissCameron，cutoffasmallpiece，andfitteditintothehole，makingitjustlongenoughtotouchthetablewithitspointwhentheplatelayinitsordinaryposition。
“NowIamready，“saidhe。“But，“headded，raisinghishead，andlookingallroundtheroom，asifasuddenthoughthadstruckhim——“Idonotthinkthisroomwillbequitesatisfactory。“
Theywerenowinthedrawing-room。
“Choosetheroominthehousethatwillsuityou，“saidMr。Arnold。
“Thedining-room？”
“Certainlynot，“answeredFunkelstein，ashetookfromhiswatch-chainasmallcompassandlaiditonthetable。“Notthedining-room，northebreakfast-room——Ithink。Letmesee——howisitsituated？”Hewenttothehall，asiftorefreshhismemory，andthenlookedagainatthecompass。“No，notthebreakfast-room。“
Hughcouldnothelpthinkingtherewasmoreorlessofthecharlatanabouttheman。
“Thelibrary？”suggestedLadyEmily。
Theyadjournedtothelibrarytosee。Thelibrarywoulddo。Aftersomefurtherdifficulty，theysucceededinprocuringalargesheetofpaperandfasteningitdowntothetablebydrawing-pins。Onlytwocandleswereinthegreatroom，anditwasscarcelylightedatallbythem；yetFunkelsteinrequestedthatoneoftheseshouldbeextinguished，andtheotherremovedtoatablenearthedoor。Hethensaid，solemnly：
“Letmerequestsilence，absolutesilence，andquiescenceofthoughteven。“
Afterstillnesshadsettleddownwithoutspreadwingsofintensity，heresumed：
“Willanyone，or，better，twoofyou，touchtheplateaslightlyaspossiblewithyourfingers？”
Allhungbackforamoment。ThenMr。Arnoldcameforward。
“Iwill，“saidhe，andlaidhisfingersontheplate。
“Aslightlyaspossible，ifyouplease。Iftheplatemoves，followitwithyourfingers，butbesurenottopushitinanydirection。“
“Iunderstand，“saidMr。Arnold；andsilencefellagain。
TheBohemian，afterapause，spokeoncemore，butinaforeigntongue。Thewordssoundedfirstlikeentreaty，thenlikecommand，andatlast，almostlikeimprecation。Theladiesshuddered。
“Anymovementofthevehicle？”saidhetoMr。Arnold。
Ifbythevehicleyoumeantheplate，certainlynot，“saidMr。
Arnoldsolemnly。Buttheladieswereverygladofthepretextforattemptingalaugh，inordertogetridoftheoppressionwhichtheyhadfeltforsometime。
“Hush！”saidFunkelstein，solemnly——“Willnooneelsetouchtheplate，aswell？Itwillseldommovewithone。Itdoeswithme。
ButIfearImightbesuspectedoftreachery，ifIofferedtojoinMr。Arnold。“
“Donothintatsuchathing。Youarebeyondsuspicion。“
WhatgroundMr。Arnoldhadformakingsuchanassertion，wasnobetterknowntohimselfthantoanyoneelsepresent。VonFunkelstein，withoutanotherword，putthefingersofonehandlightlyontheplatebesideMr。Arnold"s。Theplateinstantlybegantomoveuponthepaper。Themotionwasasuccessionofsmalljerksatfirst；butsoonittiltedupalittle，andmoveduponachangingpointofsupport。Nowitcareeredrapidlyinwavylines，sweepingbacktowardstheotherside，asoftenasitapproachedtheextremityofthesheet，themenkeepingtheirfingersincontactwithit，butnotappearingtoinfluenceitsmotion。Graduallythemotionceased。
VonFunkelsteinwithdrewhishand，andrequestedthattheothercandleshouldbelighted。Thepaperwastakenupandexamined。
Nothingcouldbediscovereduponit，butalabyrinthofwavyandsweepylines。Funkelsteinporedoveritforsomeminutes，andthenconfessedhisinabilitytomakeasingleletteroutofit，stilllesswordsandsentences，ashehadexpected。
“But，“saidhe，“weareatleastsofarsuccessful：itmoves。Letustryagain。Whowilltrynext？”
“Iwill，“saidHugh，whohadrefrainedatfirst，partlyfromdisliketothewholeaffair，partlybecauseheshrankfromputtinghimselfforward。
Anewsheetofpaperwasfixed。Thecandlewasextinguished。Hughputhisfingersontheplate。Inasecondortwo，itbegantomove。
“Amedium！”murmuredFunkelstein。Hethenspokealoudsomewordsunintelligibletotherest。
Whetherfromthepeculiarityofhispositionandtheconsequentexcitementofhisimagination，orfromsomeothercause，Hughgrewquitecold，andbegantotremble。Theplate，whichhadbeencareeringviolentlyforafewmoments，nowwentmoreslowly，makingregularshortmotionsandreturns，atrightanglestoitschiefdirection，asifletterswerebeingformedbythepencil。Hughshuddered，thinkingherecognisedthelettersastheygrew。Thewritingceased。Thecandleswerebrought。Yes；thereitwas！——notplain，buteasilydecipherable——DavidElginbrod。Hughfeltsick。
Euphra，lookingonbesidehim，whispered：
“Whatanoddname！Whocanitmean？”
HemadenoreplyNeitheroftheotherladiessawit；forMrs。Eltonhaddiscovered，themomentthesecondcandlewaslighted，thatLadyEmilywaseitherasleeporinafaint。Shewassoonallbutsatisfiedthatshewasasleep。
Hugh"sopinion，gatheredfromwhatfollowed，was，thattheBohemianhadnotbeensointentontheoperationswiththeplate，ashehadappearedtobe；andthathehadbeenemployingpartofhisenergyinmesmerisingLadyEmily。Mrs。Elton，rememberingthatshehadhadquitealongwalkthatmorning，wasnotmuchalarmed。Unwillingtomakeadisturbance，sherangthebellveryquietly，and，goingtothedoor，askedtheservantwhoansweredit，tosendhermaidwithsomeeau-de-cologne。Meantime，thegentlemenhadbeentoomuchabsorbedtotakeanynoticeofherproceedings，and，afterremovingtheoneandextinguishingtheothercandle，hadrevertedtotheplate——Hughwasstilltheoperator。
VonFunkelsteinspokeagaininanunknowntongue。Theplatebegantomoveasbefore。Afteronlyasecondortwoofpreparatorygyration，HughfeltthatitwaswritingTurriepuffit，andshookfromheadtofoot。
Suddenly，inthemiddleoftheword，theplateceaseditsmotion，andlayperfectlystill。Hughfeltakindofsurprisecomeuponhim，asifhewakedfromanunpleasantdream，andsawthesunshining。Themorbidexcitementofhisnervoussystemhadsuddenlyceased，andahealthfulsenseofstrengthandevery-daylifetookitsplace。
Simultaneouslywiththestoppingoftheplate，andthisnewfeelingwhichIhavetriedtodescribe，Hughinvoluntarilyraisedhiseyestowardsthedooroftheroom。Intheall-but-darknessbetweenhimandthedoor，hesawapalebeautifulface——afaceonly。ItwasthefaceofMargaretElginbrod；not，however，suchashehadusedtoseeit——butglorified。Thatwastheonlywordbywhichhecoulddescribeitsnewaspect。Amistofdarknessfelluponhisbrain，andtheroomswamroundwithhim。Buthewassavedfromfalling，orattractingattentiontoaweaknessforwhichhecouldhavemadenoexcuse，byasuddencryfromLadyEmily。
“See！see！”shecriedwildly，pointingtowardsoneofthewindows。
Theselookedacrosstoanotherpartofthehouse，oneoftheoldest，atsomedistance——Oneofitswindows，apparentlyonthefirstfloor，shonewithafaintbluishlight。
AllthecompanyhadhurriedtothewindowatLadyEmily"sexclamation。
“Whocanbeinthatpartofthehouse？”saidMr。Arnold，angrily。
“ItisLadyEuphrasia"swindow，“saidEuphra，inalowvoice，thetoneofwhichsuggested，somehow，thatthespeakerwasverycold。
“Whatdoyoumeanbyspeakinglikethat？”saidMr。Arnold，forgettinghisdignity。“Surelyyouareabovebeingsuperstitious。
Isitpossibletheservantscouldbeaboutanymischief？Iwilldischargeanyoneatonce，thatdaresgotherewithoutpermission。“
Thelightdisappeared，fadingslowlyout。
“Indeed，theservantsarealltoomuchalarmed，afterwhattookplacelastyear，togonearthatwing——muchlessthatroom，“saidEuphra。“Besides，Mrs。Hortonhasallthekeysinherowncharge。“
“Goyourselfandgetmethem，Euphra。Iwillseeatoncewhatthismeans。Don"tsaywhyyouwantthem。“
“Certainlynot，uncle。“
Hughhadrecoveredalmostinstantaneously。Thoughfullofamazement，hehadyethisperceptivefacultiessufficientlyunimpairedtorecognisetherealsourceofthelightinthewindow。
Itseemedtohimmorelikemoonlightthananythingelse；andhethoughttheotherswouldhaveseenittobesuch，butfortheeffectofLadyEmily"ssuddenexclamation。PerhapsshewasundertheinfluenceoftheBohemianatthemoment。Certainlytheywereallinatolerableconditionforseeingwhatevermightberequiredofthem。
True，therewasnomoontobeseen；andifitwasthemoon，whydidthelightgoout？Buthefoundafterwardsthathehadbeenright。
Thehousestooduponarisingground；and，everyrecurringcycle，themoonwouldshine，throughacertainvistaoftreesandbranches，uponLadyEuphrasia"swindow；providedtherehadbeennogrowthoftwigstostopupthechannelofthelight，whichwassonarrowthatinafewmomentsthemoonhadcrossedit。Agapinahedgemadebyabullthatmorning，hadremovedthelastscreen——LadyEuphrasia"swindowwassoneglectedanddusty，thatitcouldreflectnothingmorethanadimbluishshimmer。
“Willyouallaccompanyme，ladiesandgentlemen，thatyoumayseewithyourowneyesthatthereisnothingdangerousinthehouse？”
saidMr。Arnold。
OfcourseFunkelsteinwasquiteready，andHughaswell，althoughhefeltatthismomentill-fittedforghost-hunting。Theladieshesitated；butatlast，moreafraidofbeingleftbehindalone，thanofgoingwiththegentlemen，theyconsented。Euphrabroughtthekeys，andtheycommencedtheirmarchofinvestigation。Upthegrandstaircasetheywent，Mr。Arnoldfirstwiththekeys，HughnextwithMrs。EltonandLadyEmily，andtheBohemian，considerablytoHugh"sdissatisfaction，bringinguptherearwithEuphra——Thismisarrangementdidmorethananythingelsecouldhavedone，todeadenforthetimethedistractionoffeelingproducedinHugh"smindbytheeventsofthelastfewminutes。Yetevennowheseemedtobewanderingthroughtheoldhouseinadream，insteadoffollowingMr。Arnold，whosepresencemightwellhavebeensufficienttodestroyanyillusion，exceptsuchasaChinesescreenmightsuperinduce；for，possessedoffarlessimaginationthanahorse，hewasincapableofanyterrors，butsuchashadtodowithrobbers，orfire，orchartists——whichlatterfearincludedboththeformer。Hestrodeonsecurely，carryingacandleinonehand，andthekeysintheother。Eachoftheothergentlemenlikewiseborealight。Theyhadtogothroughdoors，somelocked，someopen，followingadifferentroutefromthattakenbyEuphraonaformeroccasion。
ButMr。Arnoldfoundthekeystroublesome。Hecouldnoteasilydistinguishthosehewanted，andwascompelledtoapplytoEuphra。
SheleftFunkelsteininconsequence，andwalkedinfrontwithheruncle。HerformercompaniongotbesideLadyEmily，andastheycouldnotwellwalkfourabreast，shefellbehindwithhim。SoHughgotnexttoEuphra，behindher，andwascomforted。
Atlength，bytortuousways，acrossoldrooms，andupanddownabruptlittlestairs，theyreachedthedoorofLadyEuphrasia"sroom。Thekeywasfound，andthedooropenedwithsomeperturbation——manifestonthepartoftheladies，andconcealedonthepartofthemen。Theplacewasquitedark。Theyentered；andHughwasgreatlystruckwithitsstrangeantiquity。LadyEuphrasia"sghosthaddriventhelastoccupantoutofitnearlyahundredyearsago；butmostofthefurniturewasmucholderthanthat，havingprobablybelongedtoLadyEuphrasiaherself。Theroomremainedjustasthesaidlastoccupanthadleftit。Eventhebed-clothesremained，foldeddown，asifexpectingtheiroccupantforthelasthundredyears。Thefinelinenhadgrownyellow；andtherichcounterpanelaylikeachurchyardaftertheresurrection，fulloftheopengravesoftheliberatedmoths。Onthewallhungtheportraitofanuninconvent-attire。
“SomehavetakenthatforasecondportraitofLadyEuphrasia，“saidMr。Arnold，“butitcannotbe——Euphra，wewillgobackthroughthepicturegallery——IsuspectitoforiginatingthetraditionthatLadyEuphrasiabecameanunatlast。Idonotbelieveitmyself。
Thepictureiscertainlyoldenoughtostandforher，butitdoesnotseemtomeintheleastliketheother。“
Itwasagreatroom，withlargerecesses，andthereforeirregularinform。Oldchairs，withremnantsofenamelandgilding，andseatsoffadeddamask，stoodallabout。Butthebeautyofthechamberwasitstapestry。Thewallswereentirelycoveredwithit，andtherichcolourshadnotyetrecededintothedullgreyofthepast，thoughtheirgorgeousnesshadbecomesombrewithage。ThesubjectwasthestoryofSamson。
“Comeandseethisstrangepieceoffurniture，“saidEuphratoHugh，whohadkeptbyhersidesincetheyenteredthisroom。
Sheledhimintooneoftherecesses，almostconcealedbythebed-hangings。Initstoodacabinetofebony，reachingnearlytotheceiling，curiouslycarvedinhighrelief。
“IwishIcouldshowyoutheinsideofit，“shewenton，“butI
cannotnow。“
Thiswassaidalmostinawhisper。Hughrepliedwithonlyalookofthanks。Hegazedatthecarving，onwhoseblacksurfacehiscandlemadelittlelight，andthrewnoshadows。
“Youhavelookedatthisbefore，Euphra，“saidhe。“Explainittome。“
“Ihaveoftentriedtofindoutwhatitis，“sheanswered；“butI
nevercouldquitesatisfymyselfaboutit。“
Sheproceeded，however，totellhimwhatshefancieditmightmean，speakingstillinthelowtonewhichseemedsuitabletotheaweoftheplace。Shegotinterestedinshowinghimtherelationsofthedifferentfigures；andhemadeseveralsuggestionsastothepossibleintentionoftheartist。Morethanonewell-knownsubjectwasproposedandrejected。
Suddenlybecomingawareofthesensationofsilence，theylookedup，andsawthattheirswastheonlylightintheroom。Theywereleftaloneinthehauntedchamber——Theylookedateachotherforonemoment；thensaid，withhalf-stifledvoices：
“Euphra！”
“Hugh！”
Euphraseemedhalfamusedandhalfperplexed。Hughlookedhalfperplexedandwhollypleased。
“Come，come，“saidEuphra，recoveringherself，andleadingthewaytothedoor。
Whentheyreachedit，theyfounditclosedandlocked。Euphraraisedherhandtobeatonit。Hughcaughtit。
“YouwilldriveLadyEmilyintofits。Didyounotseehowawfullypaleshewas？”
Euphrainstantlyliftedherhandagain，asifshewouldjustliketotrythatresult。ButHugh，whowasinnohasteforanyresult，heldherback。
Shestruggledforamomentortwo，butnotverystrenuously，and，desistingallatonce，letherarmsdropbyhersides。
“Ifearitistoolate。Thisisadoubledoor，andMr。Arnoldwillhavelockedallthedoorsbetweenthisandthepicture-gallery。
Theyaretherenow。Whatshallwedo？”
Shesaidthiswithanexpressionofcomicaldespair，whichwouldhavemadeHughburstintolaughter，hadhenotbeentoomuchpleasedtolaugh。
“Nevermind，“hesaid，“wewillgoonwithourstudyofthecabinet。
Theywillsoonfindoutthatweareleftbehind，andcomebacktolookforus。“
“Yes，butonlyfancybeingfoundhere！”
Shelaughed；butthelaughdidnotsucceed。Itcouldnothidearealembarrassment。Shepondered，andseemedirresolute。Thenwiththewords——“Theywillsaywestayedbehindonpurpose，“shemovedherhandtothedoor，butagainwithdrewit，andstoodirresolute。
“Letusputoutthelight。“saidHughlaughing，“andmakenoanswer。“
“Canyoustarvewell？”
“Withyou。“
Shemurmuredsomethingtoherself；thensaidaloudandhastily，asifshehadmadeuphermindbythecompulsionofcircumstances：
“Butthiswon"tdo。Theyarestilllookingattheportrait，I
daresay。Come。“
Sosaying，shewentintoanotherrecess，and，liftingacurtainoftapestry，openedadoor。
“Comequick，“shesaid。
Hughfollowedherdownashortstairintoanarrowpassage，nowherelightedfromtheoutside。Thedoorwenttobehindthem，asifsomeonehadbangeditinangerattheirintrusion。Thepassagesmeltverymusty，andwasasquietasdeath。
“Notawordofthis，Hugh，asyouloveme。Itmaybeusefulyet。“
“Notaword。“
Theycamethroughaslidingpanelintoanemptyroom。Euphracloseditbehindthem。
“Nowshadeyourlight。“
Hedidso。Shetookhimbythehand。Afewmoreturnsbroughttheminsightofthelightsoftherestoftheparty。AsEuphrahadconjectured，theywerelookingatthepictureofLadyEuphrasia，Mr。
Arnoldprosingawaytothem，inproofthatthenuncouldnotbeshe。
Theyenteredthegallerywithoutbeingheard；andpartingalittleway，onepretendingtolookatonepicture，theotheratanother，creptgraduallyroundtilltheyjoinedthegroup。Itwasapieceofmostsuccessfulgeneralship。Euphrawas，doubtless，quitepreparedwithherstoryincaseitshouldfail。
“DearLadyEmily，“saidshe，“howtiredyoulook！Doletusgo，uncle。“
“Byallmeans。Takemyarm，LadyEmily。Euphra，willyoutakethekeysagain，andlockthedoors？”
Mrs。EltonhadalreadytakenHugh"sarm，andwasleadinghimawayafterMr。ArnoldandLadyEmily。
“Iwillnotleaveyoubehindwiththespectres，MissCameron，“saidFunkelstein。
“Thankyou；theywillnotdetainmelong。Theydon"tmindbeinglockedup。“
Itwassomelittletime，however，beforetheypresentedthemselvesinthedrawing-room，towhich，andnottothelibrary，thepartyhadgone：theyhadhadenoughofhorrorsforthatnight。
Lestmyreadersshouldthinktheyhavehadtoomanywondersatleast，Iwillexplainoneofthem。ItwasreallyMargaretElginbrodwhomHughhadseen。Mrs。Eltonwastheladyinwhoseserviceshehadleftherhome。Itwasnothingstrangethattheyhadnotmet，forMargaretknewhewasinthesamehouse，andhadseveraltimesseenhim，buthadavoidedmeetinghim。Neitherwasitawonderfulcoincidencethattheyshouldbeinsuchcloseproximity；forthecollegefriendfromwhomHughhadfirstheardofMr。Arnold，wasthesonofthegentlemanwhomMrs。Eltonwasvisiting，whenshefirstsawMargaret。
Margarethadobeyedhermistress"ssummonstothedrawing-room，andhadenteredwhileHughwasstoopingovertheplate。Astheroomwasnearlydark，andshewasdressedinblack，herpalefacealonecaughtthelightandhiseyeashelookedup，andthegiddinesswhichfollowedhadpreventedhimfromseeingmore。Shelefttheroomthenextmoment，whiletheywerealllookingoutofthewindow。
Norwasitanyexerciseofhisexcitedimaginationthathadpresentedherfaceasglorified。Shewasnowawoman；and，therebeingnodivinelawagainstsayingso，Isaythatshehadgrownaladyaswell；asindeedanyonemighthaveforeseenwhowascapableofforeseeingit。Herwholenaturehadblossomedintoastill，stately，lily-likebeauty；andthefacethatHughsawwasindeedtherealisedideaoftheformerfaceofMargaret。
Buthowdidtheplatemove？andwhencecamethewritingofoldDavid"sname？Imust，forthepresent，leavethewholemattertothespeculativepowerofeachofmyreaders。
ButMargaretwasinmourning：wasDavidindeeddead？
Hewasdead——Yethisnamewillstandasthenameofmystoryforpagestocome；because，ifhehadnotbeeninit，thestorywouldneverhavebeenworthwriting；becausetheinfluenceofthatploughmanisthesaltofthewhole；becauseaman"slifeintheearthisnottobemeasuredbythetimeheisvisibleuponit；andbecause，whenthestoryiswoundup，itwillbeinthepresenceofhisspirit。
DoIthenbelievethatDavidhimselfdidwritethatnameofhis？
Heavenforbidthatanyfriendofmineshouldbeabletobelieveit！
Longbeforeshesawhim，Margarethadknown，fromwhatsheheardamongtheservants，thatMasterHarry"stutorcouldbenootherthanherowntutoroftheoldtime。ByandbyshelearnedagreatdealabouthimfromHarry"stalkwithMrs。EltonandLadyEmily。Butshedidnotgivetheleasthintthatsheknewhim，orbetraytheleastdesiretoseehim。
Mrs。Eltonwasamusinglybewilderedbytheoccurrencesoftheevening。Hertheoriesweresomethingastounding；andfollowedoneanotherwithsuchalarmingrapidity，thathadtheybeeninthemselvessuchastoimplythesmallestexerciseofthethinkingfaculty，shemightwellhavebeenconsideredindangerofanattackofbrain-fever。Asitwas，nonesuchsupervened。LadyEmilysaidnothing，butseemedunhappy。AsforHugh，hesimplycouldnottellwhattomakeofthewriting。Buthedidnotforamomentdoubtthatthevisionhehadseenwasonlyavision——ahome-madeghost，sentoutfromhisowncreativebrain。StillhefeltthatMargaret"sface，comewhenceitmight，wasalivingreprooftohim；forhewaslosinghislifeinpassion，sinkingdeeperinitdaybyday。Hispowersweredesertinghim。Poetry，usuallysupposedtobetheattendantoflove，haddesertedhim。Onlybyfitscouldheseeanythingbeautiful；andthenitwasbutinclosestassociationofthoughtwiththeoneimagewhichwasburningitselfdeeperanddeeperintohismentalsensorium。Comewhatmight，hecouldnottearitaway。Ithadbecomeapartofhimself——ofhisinnerlife——evenwhileitseemedtobeworkingthedeathoflife。Deeperanddeeperitwouldburn，tillitreachedtheinnermostchamberoflife。Letitburn。
Yethefeltthathecouldnottrusther。Vaguehopeshehad，that，bytrusting，shemightbemadetrustworthy；buthefearedtheywerevainaswellasvague。Andyethewouldnotcastthemaway，forhecouldnotcastheraway。
CHAPTERXVIII。
MOREMATERIALISMANDSOMESPIRITUALISM。
Godwishethnoneshouldwreckonastrangeshelf：
ToHimman"sdearerthantohimself。
BENJonson——TheForest：ToSirRobertWroth。
Atbreakfastthefollowingmorning，theinfluencesofthepastdayonthefamilywereevident。Therewasagooddealofexcitement，alternatedwithlistlessness。Themoralatmosphereseemedunhealthy；andHarry，althoughhehad，fortunatelyforhim，hadnothingtodowiththemanifestationsofthepreviousevening，wasaffectedbytheconditionofthosearoundhim。Hughwasstillcarefulenoughofhimtotrytodiverttheconversationentirelyfromwhatheknewwouldhaveaveryinjuriouseffectuponhim；andMr。Arnold，seeingtheanxiouswayinwhichheglancednowandthenathispupil，anddiviningthereason，bytheinstinctofhisaffection，withfarmorethanhisusualacuteness，triedlikewisetoturnitaside，asoftenasitinclinedthatway。Stillafewwordswereletfallbythevisitors，whichmadeHarrystare。Hughtookhimawayassoonasbreakfastwasover。
Intheafternoon，Funkelsteincalledtoinquireaftertheladies；
andhopedhehadnoinjurytotheirhealthtolayonhisconscience。
Mr。Arnold，whohadafullallowanceofcuriosity，itsamountbeingfrequentlyinaninverseratiotothatofhigherintellectualgifts，beggedhimtospendtherestofthedaywiththem；butnottosayawordofwhathadpassedthedaybefore，tillafterHarryhadretiredforthenight。
Renewedconversationledtorenewedexperimentsinthelibrary。
Hugh，however，refusedtohaveanythingmoretodowiththeplate-writing；forhedreadeditsinfluenceonhisphysicalnature，attributing，asIhavesaid，thevisionofMargarettoacerebralaffection。Andtheplatedidnotseemtoworksatisfactorilywithanyoneelse，exceptFunkelstein，who，forhispart，hadnogreatwishtooperate。Recoursewashadtoamorevulgarmethod——thatofexpectantsolicitationofthosenoiseswherebytheprisonersinthea雛ialvaultsaresupposedcapableofcommunicatingwiththoseinthisearthlycell。Certainly，rapswereheardfromsomequarteroranother；andwhenthelightswereextinguished，andthecrescentmoononlyallowedtoshineintheroom，somecommotionwasdiscernibleamongstthefurniture。Severallightarticlesflewabout。Apen-wiperalightedonEuphra"slap，andasofa-pillowgentlydisarrangedMrs。Elton"scap。Mostoftheartillery，however，wasdirectedagainstLadyEmily；andsheitwaswhosaw，inafaintstreamofmoonlight，afemalearmupliftedtowardsher，fromunderatable，withathreateningmotion。Itwasbaretotheelbow，anddrapedabove。Itshowedfirstaclenchedfist，andnextanopenhand，palmoutwards，makingarepellentgesture。Thenthebackofthehandwasturned，anditmotionedheraway，asifshehadbeenanimportunatebeggar。Butatthismoment，oneofthedoorsopened，andadarkfigurepassedthroughtheroomtowardstheoppositedoor。
Everythingthatcouldbecalledghostly，ceasedinstantaneously。
Thearmvanished。Thecompanybreathedmorefreely。
LadyEmily，whohadbeenonthepointofgoingintohysterics，recoveredherself，andovercamethestilllingeringimpulse：shefeltasifshehadawakedfromamomentaryaberrationoftheintellect。Mr。Arnoldproceededtolightthecandles，saying，inarighteoustone：
“Ithinkwehavehadenoughofthisnonsense。“
Whenthecandleswerelighted，therewasnoonetobeseenintheroombesidesthemselves。Several，Hughamongstthem，hadobservedthefigure；butallhadtakenitforpartoftheillusivephantasmagoria。Hughwouldhaveconcludeditavarietyofhisvisionoftheformernight；butothershadseenitaswellashe。
Therewasnorenewaloftheexperimentsthatnight。Butallwereinaveryunhealthystateofexcitement。Vaguefear，vaguewonder，andacertainindescribableoppression，haddimmedforthetimealltheclearervision，andbenumbedallthenoblerfacultiesofthesoul。
LadyEmilywasaffectedthemost。Hereyeslookedscared；therewasabrightspotononecheekamidstdeathlypaleness；andsheseemedveryunhappy。Mrs。Eltonbecamealarmed，andthisbroughtherbacktoamorerationalcondition。ShepersuadedLadyEmilytogotobed。
Butthecontagionspread；andindistinctterrorswerenolongerconfinedtotheupperportionsofthefamily。Thebruitrevived，whichhadbrokenoutayearbefore——thatthehousewashaunted。Itwaswhisperedthat，theverynightaftertheseoccurrences，theGhost"sWalkhadbeeninuseasthenamesignified：afigureindeath-garmentshadbeenseenglidingalongthedesertedavenue，byoneofthemaid-servants；thetruthofwhosestorywascorroboratedbythefactthat，tosupportit，shedidnothesitatetoconfessthatshehadescapedfromthehouse，nearlyatmidnight，tomeetoneofthegroomsinapartofthewoodcontiguoustotheavenueinquestion。Mr。Arnoldinstantlydismissedher——notonthegroundoftheintrigue，hetookcaretoletherknow，althoughthatwasbadenough，butbecauseshewasafool，andspreadabsurdandannoyingreportsaboutthehouse。Mr。Arnold"susualhatredofwhathecalledsuperstition，wasrenderedyetmorespitefulbythefact，thattheoccurrencesoftheweekhadhadsuchaneffectonhisownmind，thathewasmortallyafraidlestheshouldhimselfsinkintothesamelimboofvanity。Thegirl，however，was，orpretendedtobe，quitesatisfiedwithherdischarge，protestingshewouldnothavestaidfortheworld；andasthegroom，whosewageshappenedtohavebeenpaidthedaybefore，tookhimselfoffthesameevening，itmaybehopedhersatisfactionwasnotaltogethercounterfeit。
“Ifalltalesbetrue，“saidMrs。Elton，“LadyEuphrasiaiswhereshecan"tgetout。“
“Butifsherepentedbeforeshedied？”saidEuphra，withamuffledscorninhertone。
“MydearMissCameron，doyoucallbecominganun——repentance？WeProtestantsknowverywellwhatthatmeans。Besides，youruncledoesnotbelieveit。“
“Haven"tyoufoundoutyet，dearMrs。Elton，whatmyuncle"sfavouritephraseis？”
“No。Whatisit？”
“Idon"tbelieveit。“
“Younaughtygirl！”
“I"mnotnaughty，“answeredEuphra，affectingtoimitatethesimplicityofachiddenchild。“Myuncleissofondofcastingdoubtuponeverything！Ifsalvationgoesbyquantity，hisfaithwon"tsavehim。“
EuphraknewwellenoughthatMrs。Eltonwasnotell-tale。Thegoodladyhadhopesofherfromthismoment，becausesheallbutquotedScripturetocondemnheruncle；theverdictcorrespondingwithherownjudgmentofMr。Arnold，foundedontheclearestassertionsofScripture；strengthenedsomewhat，itmustbeconfessed，bythefactthatthespirits，ontheprecedingeveningbutone，hadrappedoutthesentence：“Withoutfaithitisimpossibletopleasehim。“
LadyEmilywasstillinbed，butapparentlymoresickinmindthaninbody。Shesaidshehadtossedaboutallthepreviousnightwithoutoncefallingasleep；andhermaid，whohadsleptinthedressing-roomwithoutwakingonce，corroboratedtheassertion。Inthemorning，Mrs。Elton，wishingtorelievethemaid，sentMargarettoLadyEmily。Margaretarrangedthebedclothesandpillows，whichwereinaveryuncomfortablecondition，satdownbehindthecurtain；
and，knowingthatitwouldpleaseLadyEmily，begantosing，inwhattheFrenchcalla，veiledvoice，TheLando"theLeal。NowtheairofthislovelysongisthesameasthatofScotswhahae；butitisthepibrochofonsetchangedintothecoronachofrepose，singingofthelandbeyondthebattle，oftheenteringinofthosewhohavefoughtthegoodfight，andfalleninthefield。Itisthesilenceafterthethunder。Beforeshehadfinished，LadyEmilywasfastasleep。Asweetpeacefulhalfsmilelightedhertroubledfacegraciously，likethesunshinethatcreepsoutwhenitcan，amidsttherainofanautumnday，saying，“Iamwithyoustill，thoughwearealltroubled。“Findingherthusatrest，Margaretlefttheroomforaminute，tofetchsomework。Whenshereturned，shefoundhertossing，andmoaning，andapparentlyonthepointofwaking。Assoonasshesatdownbyher，hertroublediminishedbydegrees，tillshelayinthesamepeacefulsleepasbefore。Inthisstateshecontinuedfortwoorthreehours，andawokemuchrefreshed。SheheldoutherlittlehandtoMargaret，andsaid：
“Thankyou。Thankyou。Whatasweetcreatureyouare！”
AndLadyEmilylayandgazedinlovingadmirationatthefaceofthelady"s-maid。
“ShallIsendSarahtoyounow，mylady？”saidMargaret；“orwouldyoulikemetostaywithyou？”
“Oh！you，you，please——ifMrs。Eltoncanspareyou。“
“Shewillonlythinkofyourcomfort，Iknow，mylady。“
“Thatrecallsmetomyduty，andmakesmethinkofher。“
“Butyourcomfortwillbemoretoherthananythingelse。“
“Inthatcaseyoumuststay，Margaret。“
“Withpleasure，mylady。“
Mrs。Eltonentered，andquiteconfirmedwhatMargarethadsaid。
“But，“sheadded，“itistimeLadyEmilyhadsomethingtoeat。Gotothecook，Margaret，andseeifthebeef-teaMissCameronorderedisready。“
Margaretwent。
“Whatacomfortitis，“saidMrs。Elton，wishingtointerestLadyEmily，“thatnow-a-days，wheninfidelityissorampant，suchcorroborationsofSacredWritarespringinguponallsides！TherearethediscoveriesatNineveh；andnowtheseSpiritualManifestations，whichbearwitnesssoclearlytoanotherworld。“
ButLadyEmilymadenoreply。Shebegantotossaboutasbefore，andshowsignsofinexplicablediscomfort。Margarethadhardlybeengonetwominutes，whentheinvalidmoanedout：
“WhatatimeMargaretisgone！——whenwillshebeback？”
“Iamhere，mylove，“saidMrs。Elton。
“Yes，yes；thankyou。ButIwantMargaret。“
“Shewillbeherepresently。Havepatience，mydear。“
“Please，don"tletMissCameroncomenearme。IamafraidIamverywicked，butIcan"tbearhertocomenearme。“
“No，no，dear；wewillkeepyoutoourselves。“
“IsMr——，theforeigngentleman，Imean——below？”
“No。Heisgone。“
“Areyousure？Icanhardlybelieveit。“
“Whatdoyoumean，dear？Iamsureheisgone。“
LadyEmilydidnotanswer。Margaretreturned。Shetookthebeef-tea，andgrewquietagain。
“Youmustnotleaveherladyship，Margaret，“whisperedhermistress。
“Shehastakenitintoherheadtolikenoonebutyou，andyoumustjuststaywithher。“
“Verywell，ma"am。Ishallbemosthappy。“
Mrs。Eltonlefttheroom。LadyEmilysaid：
“Readsomethingtome，Margaret。“
“WhatshallIread？”
“Anythingyoulike。“
MargaretgotaBible，andreadtoheroneofherfather"sfavouritechapters，thefortiethofIsaiah。
“IhavenorighttotrustinGod，Margaret。“
“Why，mylady？”
“BecauseIdonotfeelanyfaithinhim；andyouknowwecannotbeacceptedwithoutfaith。“
“ThatistomakeGodaschangeableasweare，mylady。“
“ButtheBiblesaysso。“
“Idon"tthinkitdoes；butifanangelfromheavensaidso，Iwouldnotbelieveit。“
“Margaret！”
“Mylady，IloveGodwithallmyheart，andIcannotbearyoushouldthinksoofhim。Youmightaswellsaythatamotherwouldgoawayfromherlittlechild，lyingmoaninginthedark，becauseitcouldnotseeher，andwasafraidtoputitshandoutintothedarktofeelforher。“
“Thenyouthinkhedoescareforus，evenwhenweareverywicked。
Buthecannotbearwickedpeople。“
“Whodarestosaythat？”criedMargaret。“Hashenotbeenmakingtheworldgoonandon，withallthewickednessthatisinit；yes，makingnewbabiestobebornofthievesandmurderersandsadwomenandall，forhundredsofyears？Godhelpus，LadyEmily！Ifhecannotbearwickedpeople，thenthisworldishellitself，andtheBibleisallalie，andtheSaviourdidneverdieforsinners。ItisonlytheholyPhariseesthatcan"tbearwickedpeople。“
“Oh！howhappyIshouldbe，ifthatweretrue！Ishouldnotbeafraidnow。“
“Youarenotwicked，dearLadyEmily；butifyouwere，Godwouldbendoveryou，tryingtogetyouback，likeafatheroverhissickchild。Willpeopleneverbelieveaboutthelostsheep？”
“Oh！yes；Ibelievethat。Butthen——“
“Youcan"ttrustitquite。TrustinGod，then，theveryfatherofyou——andnevermindthewords。YouhavebeentaughttoturntheverywordsofGodagainsthimself。“
LadyEmilywasweeping。
“LadyEmily，“Margaretwenton，“ifIfeltmyheartashardasastone；ifIdidnotloveGod，orman，orwoman，orlittlechild，I
wouldyetsaytoGodinmyheart："OGod，seehowItrustthee，becausethouartperfect，andnotchangeablelikeme。Idonotlovethee。Ilovenobody。Iamnotevensorryforit。ThouseesthowmuchIneedtheetocomeclosetome，toputthyarmroundme，tosaytome，mychild；fortheworsemystate，thegreatermyneedofmyfatherwholovesme。Cometome，andmydaywilldawn。Mybeautyandmylovewillcomeback；andoh！howIshalllovethee，myGod！andknowthatmyloveisthylove，myblessednessthybeing。"“
AsMargaretspoke，sheseemedtohaveforgottenLadyEmily"spresence，andtobeactuallypraying。Thosewhocannotreceivesuchwordsfromthelipsofalady"s-maid，mustberemindedwhatherfatherwas，andthatshehadlosthim。ShehadhadadvantagesatleastequaltothosewhichDavidtheShepherdhad——andhewrotethePsalms。
Sheendedwith：
“Idonotevendesiretheetocome，yetcomethou。“
SheseemedtoprayentirelyasLadyEmily，notasMargaret。Whenshehadceased，LadyEmilysaid，sobbing：
“Youwillnotleaveme，Margaret？Iwilltellyouwhyanothertime。“
“Iwillnotleaveyou，mydearlady。“
Margaretstoopedandkissedherforehead。LadyEmilythrewherarmsroundherneck，andofferedhermouthtobekissedbythemaid。Inanotherminuteshewasfastasleep，withMargaretseatedbyherside，everynowandthenglancingupatherfromherwork，withacalmface，overwhichbroodedthemistoftears。
Thatnight，asHughpacedupanddownthefloorofhisstudyaboutmidnight，hewasawfullystartledbythesuddenopeningofthedoorandtheapparitionofHarryinhisnightshirt，paleasdeath，andscarcelyabletoarticulatethewords：
“Theghost！theghost！”
Hetookthepoorboyinhisarms，heldhimfast，andcomfortedhim。
Whenhewasalittlesoothed，“Oh，Harry！”hesaid，lightly，“you"vebeendreaming。Where"stheghost？”
“IntheGhost"sWalk，“criedHarry，almostshriekinganewwithterror。
“Howdoyouknowitisthere？”
“Isawitfrommywindow——Icouldn"tsleep。Igotupandlookedout——Idon"tknowwhy——andIsawit！Isawit！”
Thewordswerefollowedbyalongcryofterror。
“Comeandshowittome，“saidHugh，wantingtomakelightofit。
“No，no，Mr。Sutherland——pleasenot。Icouldn"tgobackintothatroom。“
“Verywell，dearHarry；youshan"tgoback。Youshallsleepwithme，to-night。“
“Oh！thankyou，thankyou，dearMr。Sutherland。Youwilllovemeagain，won"tyou？”
ThistouchedHugh"sheart。Hecouldhardlyrefrainfromtears。Hisoldlove，buriedbeforeitwasdead，revived。Heclaspedtheboytohisheart，andcarriedhimtohisownbed；then，tocomforthim，undressedandlaydownbesidehim，withoutevengoingtolookifhetoomightnotseetheghost。Shehadbroughtaboutonegoodthingatleastthatnight；though，Ifear，shehadnomeritinit。
LadyEmily"sroomlikewiselookedoutupontheGhost"sWalk。
MargaretheardthecryasshesatbythesleepingEmily；and，notknowingwhenceitcame，went，naturallyenough，inherperplexity，tothewindow。Fromitshecouldseedistinctly，foritwasclearmoonlight：awhitefigurewentglidingawayalongthedesertedavenue。Sheimmediatelyguessedwhatthecryhadmeant；butasshehadheardadoorbangdirectlyafter(asHarryshuthisbehindhimwithaterrifiedinstinct，tokeeptheawfulwindowin)，shewasnotveryuneasyabouthim。Shefeltbesidesthatshemustremainwhereshewas，accordingtoherpromisetoLadyEmily。Butsheresolvedtobepreparedforthepossiblerecurrenceofthesameevent，andaccordinglyrevolveditinhermind。ShewassurethatanyreportofitcomingtoLadyEmily"sears，wouldgreatlyimpedeherrecovery；forsheinstinctivelyfeltthatherillnesshadsomethingtodowiththequestionableoccupationsinthelibrary。Shewatchedbyherbedsideallthenight，slumberingattimes，butrousedinamomentbyanyrestlessnessofthepatient；whenshefoundthat，simplybylayingherhandonhers，orkissingherforehead，shecouldrestoreheratoncetoquietsleep。