第9章
CHAPTERXIX。
THEGHOST"SWALK。
Thierry——"Tisfulloffearfulshadows。
Ordella——Soissleep，sir；
Oranythingthat"smerelyours，andmortal；
Wewerebegottengodselse。ButthosefearsFeelingbutoncethefiresofnoblerthoughts，Fly，liketheshapesofcloudsweform，tonothing。
BEAUMONTANDFLETCHER——ThierryandTheodoret。
MargaretsatwatchingthewakingofLadyEmily。Knowinghowmuchthefirstthoughtcoloursthefeelingofthewholeday，shewishedthatLadyEmilyshouldatoncebeawarethatshewasbyherside。
Sheopenedhereyes，andasmilebrokeoverherfacewhensheperceivedhernurse。ButMargaretdidnotyetspeaktoher。
Everynurseshouldrememberthatwakingoughtalwaystobeagradualoperation；and，exceptinthemosttriumphanthealth，isnevercompleteontheopeningoftheeyes。
“Margaret，Iambetter，“saidLadyEmily，atlast。
“Iamveryglad，mylady。“
“Ihavebeenlyingawakeforsometime，andIamsureIambetter。
Idon"tseestrange-colouredfiguresfloatingabouttheroomasI
didyesterday。Wereyounotoutoftheroomafewminutesago？”
“Justforonemoment，mylady。“
“Iknewit。ButIdidnotmindit。Yesterday，whenyouleftme，thosefiguresgrewtentimesasmany，themomentyouweregone。Butyouwillstaywithmeto-day，too，Margaret？”sheadded，withsomeanxiety。
“Iwill，ifyoufindyouneedme。ButImaybeforcedtoleaveyoualittlewhilethisevening——youmusttrytoallowmethis，dearLadyEmily。“
“OfcourseIwill。Iwillbequitepatient，Ipromiseyou，whatevercomestome。“
WhenHarrywoke，afteraverytroubledsleep，fromwhichhehadoftenstartedwithsuddencriesofterror，Hughmadehimpromisenottoincreasetheconfusionofthehousehold，byspeakingofwhathehadseen。Harrypromisedatonce，butbeggedinhisturnthatHughwouldnotleavehimallday。Itdidnotneedthepalescaredfaceofhispupiltoenforcetherequest；forHughwasalreadyanxiouslestthefrighttheboyhadhad，shouldexerciseapermanentlydeleteriouseffectonhisconstitution。Thereforehehardlylethimoutofhissight。
ButalthoughHarrykepthisword，thecloudofperturbationgatheredthickerinthekitchenandtheservants"hall。Nothingcametotheearsoftheirmasterandmistress；butgloomylooks，suddenstarts，andsidelongglancesoffear，indicatedtheprevailingcharacterofthefeelingsofthehousehold。
AndalthoughLadyEmilywasnotsoill，shehadnotyettakenadecidedturnforthebetter，butappearedtosufferfromsomekindoflowfever。Themedicalmanwhowascalledin，confessedtoMrs。
Elton，thatasyethecouldsaynothingverydecidedabouthercondition，butrecommendedgreatquietandcarefulnursing。
Margaretscarcelyleftherroom，andtheinvalidshowedfarmorethantheordinarydegreeofdependenceuponhernurse。Inherrelationtoher，shewasmorelikeachildthananinvalid。
Aboutnoonshewasbetter。ShecalledMargaretandsaidtoher：
“Margaret，dear，Ishouldliketotellyouonethingthatannoysmeverymuch。“
“Whatisit，dearLadyEmily？”
“Thatmanhauntsme。Icannotbearthethoughtofhim；andyetI
cannotgetridofhim。Iamsureheisabadman。Areyoucertainheisnothere？”
“Yes，indeed，mylady。Hehasnotbeenheresincethedaybeforeyesterday。“
“Andyetwhenyouleavemeforaninstant，Ialwaysfeelasifheweresittingintheveryseatwhereyouwerethemomentbefore，orjustcomingtothedoorandabouttoopenit。ThatiswhyIcannotbearyoutoleaveme。“
Margaretmighthaveconfessedtosomeslightersensationsofthesamekind；buttheydidnotoppressherastheydidLadyEmily。
“Godisnearertoyouthananythoughtorfeelingofyours，LadyEmily。Donotbeafraid。Ifalltheevilthingsintheuniversewerearoundus，theycouldnotcomeinsidetheringthathemakesaboutus。Healwayskeepsaplaceforhimselfandhischild，intowhichnootherbeingcanenter。“
“Oh！howyoumustloveGod，Margaret！”
“IndeedIdolovehim，mylady。Ifeveranythinglooksbeautifulorlovelytome，thenIknowatoncethatGodisthat。“
“But，then，whatrighthavewetotakethegoodofthat，howevertrueitis，whenwearenotbeautifulourselves？”
“ThatonlymakesGodthemorebeautiful——inthathewillpouroutthemoreofhisbeautyuponustomakeusbeautiful。Ifwecareforhisglory，weshallbegladtobelieveallthisabouthim。Butwearetooanxiousaboutfeelinggoodourselves，torejoiceinhisperfectgoodness。Ithinkweshouldfindthatenough，mylady。
For，ifhebegood，arenotwehischildren，andsureofhavingit，notmerelyfeelingit，someday？”
HereMargaretrepeatedalittlepoemofGeorgeHerbert"s。ShehadfoundhispoemsamongstMrs。Elton"sbooks，who，cominguponherabsorbedinitoneday，hadmadeherapresentofthevolume。ThenindeedMargarethadfoundafriend。
ThepoemiscalledDialogue：
“SweetestSaviour，ifmysoulWerebutworththehaving——“
“Oh，whatacomfortyouaretome，Margaret！”LadyEmilysaid，afterashortsilence。Wheredidyoulearnsuchthings？”
“Frommyfather，andfromJesusChrist，andfromGodhimself，showingthemtomeinmyheart。“
“Ah！thatiswhy，asoftenasyoucomeintomyroom，evenifIamverytroubled，Ifeelasifthesunshone，andthewindblew，andthebirdssang，andthetree-topswentwavinginthewind，astheyusedtodobeforeIwastakenill——ImeanbeforetheythoughtImustgoabroad。Youseemtomakeeverythingclear，andright，andplain。
IwishIwereyou，Margaret。“
“IfIwereyou，mylady，IwouldratherbewhatGodchosetomakeme，thanthemostgloriouscreaturethatIcouldthinkof。Fortohavebeenthoughtabout——borninGod"sthoughts——andthenmadebyGod，isthedearest，grandest，mostpreciousthinginallthinking。
Isitnot，mylady？”
“Itis，“saidLadyEmily，andwassilent。
Theshadowsofeveningcameon。Assoonasitwasdark，MargarettookherplaceatoneofthewindowshiddenfromLadyEmilybyabed-curtain。Sheraisedtheblind，andpulledasideonecurtain，toletherhaveaviewofthetreesoutside。Shehadplacedtheonecandlesoasnottoshineeitheronthewindoworonherowneyes。
LadyEmilywasasleep。Onehourandanotherpassed，andstillshesatthere——motionless，watching。
Margaretdidnotknow，thatatanotherwindow——theone，indeed，nexttoherown——stoodasecondwatcher。ItwasHugh，inHarry"sroom：
HarrywasasleepinHugh"s。Hehadnolight。Hestoodwithhisfacecloseagainstthewindowpane，onwhichthemoonshonebrightly。
Allbelowhimthewoodswerehalfdissolvedawayinthemoonlight。
TheGhost"sWalklayfullbeforehim，likeatunnelthroughthetrees。Hecouldseeagreatwaydown，bythelightthatfellintoit，atvariousintervals，frombetweentheboughsoverhead。Hestoodthusforalongtime，gazingsomewhatlistlessly。Suddenlyhebecamealleyes，ashecaughtthewhiteglimmerofsomethingpassinguptheavenue。Hestoleoutoftheroom，downtothelibrarybytheback-stair，andsothroughthelibrarywindowintothewood。Hereachedtheavenuesideways，atsomedistancefromthehouse，andpeepedfrombehindatree，upanddown。Atfirsthesawnothing。
But，amomentafter，whilehewaslookingdowntheavenue，thatis，awayfromthehouse，aveiledfigureinwhitepassedhimnoiselesslyfromtheotherdirection。Fromthewayinwhichhewaslookingatthemoment，ithadpassedhimbeforehesawit。Itmadenosound。
Onlysomeearly-fallenleavesrustledastheyhurriedawayinuncertaineddies，startledbythesweepofitstrailinggarments，whichyetwereheldupbyhandshiddenwithinthem。Onitwent。
Hugh"seyeswerefixedonitscourse。Hecouldnotmove，andhisheartlabouredsofrightfullythathecouldhardlybreathe。Thefigurehadnotadvancedfar，however，beforeheheardarepressedcryofagony，anditsanktotheearth，andvanished；whilefromwhereitdisappeared，downthepath，came，silentlytoo，turningneithertotherightnortheleft，asecondfigure，veiledinblackfromheadtofoot。
“ItisthenuninLadyEuphrasia"sroom，“saidHughtohimself。
Thispassedhimtoo，and，walkingslowlytowardsthehouse，disappearedsomewhere，neartheendoftheavenue。Turningoncemore，withrevivingcourage——forhisbloodhadbeguntoflowmoreequably——Hughventuredtoapproachthespotwherethewhitefigurehadvanished。Hefoundnothingtherebuttheshadowofahugetree。
Hewalkedthroughtheavenuetotheend，andthenbacktothehouse，butsawnothing；thoughheoftenstartedatfanciedappearances。Sorelybewildered，hereturnedtohisownroom。Afterspeculatingtillthoughtwasweary，helaydownbesideHarry，whomhewasthankfultofindinastillrepose，andfellfastasleep。
MargaretlayonacouchinLadyEmily"sroom，andsleptlikewise；
butshestartedwideawakeateverymoanoftheinvalid，whooftenmoanedinhersleep。
CHAPTERXX。
THEBADMAN。
Shekenthewasnaegentleknight，Thatshehadlettenin；
Forneitherwhenhegaednorcam"，Kissedhehercheekorchin。
Heneitherkissedherwhenhecam"
Norclappitherwhenhegaed；
Andinandoutatherbowerwindow，Themoonshonelikethegleed。
Glenkindie——OldScotchBallad。
WhenEuphrarecoveredfromtheswoonintowhichshehadfallen——forIneedhardlyexplaintomyreaders，thatitwasshewhowalkedtheGhost"sWalkinwhite——onseeingMargaret，whom，undertheirresistibleinfluencesofthemoonlightandabadconscience，shetookfortheverybeingwhomEuphraherselfwaspersonating——whensherecovered，Isay，shefoundherselflyinginthewood，withFunkelstein，whomshehadgonetomeet，standingbesideher。Herfirstwordswereofanger，asshetriedtorise，andfoundshecouldnot。
“Howlong，CountHalkar，amItobeyourslave？”
“Tillyouhavelearnedtosubmit。“
“HaveInotdoneallIcan？”
“Youhavenotfoundit。Youarefreefromthemomentyouplacethatring，belongingtome，inrightofmyfamily，intomyhands。“
IdonotbelievethatthemanreallywasCountHalkar，althoughhehadevidentlypersuadedEuphrathatsuchwashisnameandtitle。I
thinkitmuchmoreprobablethat，inthecourseofpickingupamassoftriflinginformationaboutvariousfamiliesofdistinction，forwhichhispositionofsecretaryinseveraloftheirhouseshadaffordedhimspecialfacilities，hehadlearnedsomethingabouttheHalkarfamily，andthisparticularring，ofwhich，forsomereasonorother，hewantedtopossesshimself。
“WhatmorecanIdo？”moanedEuphra，succeedingatlengthinraisingherselftoasittingposture，andleaningthusagainstatree。“I
shallbefoundoutsomeday。Ihavebeenalreadyseenwanderingthroughthehouseatmidnight，withtheheartofathief。Ihateyou，CountHalkar！”
Alowlaughwasthecount"sonlyreply。
“AndnowLadyEuphrasiaherselfdogsmysteps，tokeepmefromthering。“Shegavealowcryofagonyattheremembrance。
“MissCameron——Euphra——areyougoingtogivewaytosuchfolly？”
“Folly！Isitnotworsefollytotortureapoorgirlasyoudome——allforaworthlessring？Whatcanyouwantwiththering？I
donotknowthathehasiteven。“
“Youlie。Youknowhehas。Youneednotthinktotakemein。“
“Youbaseman！Youdarenotgivethelietoanybutawoman。“
“Why？”
“Becauseyouareacoward。YouareafraidofLadyEuphrasiayourself。Seethere！”
VonFunkelsteinglancedroundhimuneasily。Itwasonlythemoonlightonthebarkofasilverbirch。Consciousofhavingbetrayedweakness，hegrewspiteful。
“Ifyoudonotbehavetomebetter，Iwillcompelyou。Riseup！”
Afteramoment"shesitation，sherose。
“Putyourarmsroundme。“
Sheseemedtogrowtotheearth，andtodragherselffromit，onefootafteranother。ButshecamecloseuptotheBohemian，andputonearmhalfroundhim，lookingtotheearthallthetime。
“Kissme。“
“CountHalkar！”hervoicesoundedhollowandharsh，asiffromadeadthroat——“Iwilldowhatyouplease。Onlyreleaseme。“
“Gothen；butmindyouresistmenomore。Idonotcareforyourkisses。Youwerereadyenoughonce。Butthatidiotofatutorhastakenmyplace，Isee。“
“WouldtoGodIhadneverseenyou！——neveryieldedtoyourinfluenceoverme！SwearthatIshallbefreeifIfindyouthering。“
“Youfindtheringfirst。WhyshouldIswear？Icancompelyou。
Youknowyoulaidyourselfouttoentrapmefirstwithyourarts，andIonlyturneduponyouwithmine。Andyouareinmypower。Butyoushallbefree，notwithstanding；andIwilltortureyoutillyoufreeyourself。Findthering。“
“Cruel！cruel！Youaredoingallyoucantoruinme。“
“Onthecontrary，IamdoingallIcantosavemyself。Ifyouhadlovedmeasyouallowedmetothinkonce，Ishouldneverhavemadeyoumytool。“
“Youwouldallthesame。“
“Takecare。Iamirritableto-night。“
ForafewmomentsEuphramadenoreply。
“Towhatwillyoudriveme？”shesaidatlast。
“Iwillnotgotoofar。IshouldlosemypoweroveryouifIdid。
Iprefertokeepit。“
“Inexorableman！”
“Yes。“
Anotherdespairingpause。
“WhatamItodo？”
“Nothing。ButkeepyourselfreadytocarryoutanyplanthatImaypropose。Somethingwillturnup，nowthatIhavegotintothehousemyself。Leavemetofindoutthemeans。Icanexpectnoinventionfromyourbrains。Youcangohome。“
Euphraturnedwithoutanotherword，andwent；murmuring，asifinexcusetoherself：
“Itisformyfreedom。Itisformyfreedom。“
OfcoursethisaccountmusthavecomeoriginallyfromEuphraherself，fortherewasnooneelsetotellit。She，atleast，believedherselfcompelledtodowhatthemanpleased。Someofmyreaderswillputherdownasinsane。Shemayhavebeen；but，formypart，Ibelievethereissuchapowerofonebeingoveranother，thoughperhapsonlyinararecontactofpsychologicallypeculiarnatures。Ihavetestimonyenoughforthat。Shehadyieldedtohiswillonce。Hadshenotdoneso，hecouldnothavecompelledher；
but，havingonceyielded，shehadnotstrengthsufficienttofreeherselfagain。Whetherevenhecouldfreeher，furtherthanbymerelyabstainingfromtheexerciseofthepowerhehadgained，I
doubtmuch。
ItisevidentthathehadcometotheneighbourhoodofArnsteadforthesakeoffindingher，andexercisinghispoweroverherforhisownends；thathehadmadehercometohimonce，ifnotoftener，beforehemetHugh，andbymeansofhisacquaintance，obtainedadmissionintoArnstead。Onceadmitted，hehadeasilysucceeded，byhiseffortstoplease，insofaringratiatinghimselfwithMr。
Arnold，thatnowthehouse-doorstoodopentohim，andhehadevenhisrecognisedseatatthedinner-table。
CHAPTERXXI。
SPIRITVERSUSMATERIALISM。
Nextthismarblevenomedseat，Smearedwithgumsofglutinousheat，Itouchwithchastepalmsmoistandcold——
Nowthespellhathlosthishold。
MILTON——Comas。
NextmorningLadyEmilyfeltbetter，andwantedtogetup：buthereyeswerestilltoobright，andherhandstoohot；andMargaretwouldnothearofit。
FondasLadyEmilywasingeneralofMrs。Elton"ssociety，shedidnotcaretohaveherwithhernow，andgottiredofherwhenMargaretwasabsent。
TheyhadtakencarenottoallowMissCamerontoentertheroom；butto-daytherewasnotmuchlikelihoodofhermakingtheattempt，forshedidnotappearatbreakfast，sendingamessagetoherunclethatshehadabadheadache，buthopedtotakeherplaceatthedinner-table。
Duringtheday，LadyEmilywasbetter，butrestlessbyfits。
“Wereyounotoutoftheroomforalittlewhilelastnight，Margaret？”shesaid，rathersuddenly。
“Yes，mylady。ItoldyouIshouldhavetogo，perhaps。“
“IrememberIthoughtyouhadgone，butIwasnotintheleastafraid，andthatdreadfulmannevercamenearme。Idonotknowwhenyoureturned。PerhapsIhadfallenasleep；butwhenIthoughtaboutyounext，thereyouwerebymybedside。“
“Ishallnothavetoleaveyouto-night，“wasallMargaret"sanswer。
AsforHugh，whenfirsthewoke，theextraordinaryexperiencesofthepreviousnightappearedtohimtobelongonlytothenight，andtohavenorealrelationtothedaylightworld。Butalittlereflectionsoonconvincedhimofthecontrary；andthenhewentthroughthedutiesofthedaylikeonewhohadnothingtodowiththem。ThephantomshehadseenevenoccupiedsomeofthethinkingspaceformerlyappropriatedbytheimageofEuphra，thoughheknewtohisconcernthatshewasill，andconfinedtoherroom。HehadheardthemessagesenttoMr。Arnold，however，andsokepthopingforthedinner-hour。
WithitcameEuphra，verypale。Hereyeshadanunsettledlook，andthereweredarkhollowsunderthem。Shewouldstartandlooksidewayswithoutanyvisiblecause；andwasthusverydifferentfromherusualself——ordinarilyremarkableforself-possession，almosttocoolness，ofmannerandspeech。Hughsawit，andbecamebothdistressedandspeculativeinconsequence。Itdidnotdiminishhisdiscomfortthat，aboutthemiddleofdinner，Funkelsteinwasannounced。Wasit，then，thatEuphrahadbeentremulouslyexpectantofhim？
“Thisisanunforeseenpleasure，HerrvonFunkelstein，“saidMr。
Arnold。
“Itisverygoodofyoutocallitapleasure，Mr。Arnold，“saidhe。
“MissCameron——but，goodheavens！howillyoulook！”
“Don"tbealarmed。Ihaveonlycaughttheplague。“
“Only？”wasallFunkelsteinsaidinreply；yetHughthoughthehadnorighttobesosolicitousaboutEuphra"shealth。
Asthegentlemensatattheirwine，Mr。Arnoldsaid：
“Iamanxioustohaveonemoretrialofthosestrangethingsyouhavebroughttoourknowledge。Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthemeversince。“
“OfcourseIamatyourservice，Mr。Arnold；butdon"tyouthink，fortheladies"sakes，wehavehadenoughofit？”
“Youareveryconsiderate，HerrvonFunkelstein；buttheyneednotbepresentiftheydonotlikeit。“
“Verywell，Mr。Arnold。“
Theyadjournedoncemoretothelibraryinsteadofthedrawing-room。
HughwentandtoldEuphra，whowasaloneinthedrawing-room，whattheywereabout。Shedeclinedgoing，butinsistedonhisleavingher，andjoiningtheothergentlemen。
Hughleftherwithmuchreluctance。
“Margaret，“saidLadyEmily，“Iamcertainthatmanisinthehouse。“
“Heis，mylady，“answeredMargaret。
“Theyareaboutsomemoreofthosehorridexperiments，astheycallthem。“
“Idonotknow。“
Mrs。Eltonenteringtheroomatthemoment，Margaretsaid：
“Doyouknow，ma"am，whetherthegentlemenare——inthelibraryagain？”
“Idon"tknow，Margaret。Ihopenot。Wehavehadenoughofthat。
Iwillgoandfindout，though。“
“Willyoutakemyplaceforafewminutesfirst，please，ma"am？”
Margarethadfeltagrowingoppressionforsometime。Shehadscarcelyleftthesick-roomthatday。
“Don"tleaveme，dearMargaret，“saidLadyEmily，imploringly。
“Onlyforalittlewhile，mylady。Ishallbebackinlessthanaquarterofanhour。“
“Verywell，Margaret，“sheanswereddolefully。
Margaretwentoutintothemoonlight，andwalkedfortenminutes。
Shesoughtthemoreopenparts，wherethewindswere。Shethenreturnedtothesick-chamber，refreshedandstrong。
“NowIwillgoandseewhatthegentlemenareabout，“saidMrs。
Elton。
Thegoodladydidnotliketheseproceedings，butshewasirresistiblyattractedbythemnotwithstanding。HavinggonetoseeforLadyEmily，sheremainedtoseeforherself。
Aftershehadleft，LadyEmilygrewmoreuneasy。NotevenMargaret"spresencecouldmakehercomfortable。Mrs。Eltondidnotreturn。Manyminuteselapsed。LadyEmilysaidatlast：
“Margaret，Iamterrifiedattheideaofbeingleftalone，I
confess；butnotsoterrifiedasattheideaofwhatisgoingoninthatlibrary。Mrs。Eltonwillnotcomeback。Wouldyoumindjustrunningdowntoaskhertocometome？”
“Iwouldgowithpleasure，“saidMargaret；“butIdon"twanttobeseen。“
MargaretdidnotwanttobeseenbyHugh。LadyEmily，withherdisliketoFunkelstein，thoughtMargaretdidnotwanttobeseenbyhim。
“Youwillfindablackveilofmine，“shesaid，“inthatwardrobe——justthrowitoveryourhead，andholdahandkerchieftoyourface。Theywillbesobusythattheywillneverseeyou。“
MargaretyieldedtotherequestofLadyEmily，whoherselfarrangedherhead-dressforher。
NowImustgobackalittle——WhenMrs。Eltonreachedtheroom，shefounditdarkened，andthegentlemenseatedatthetable。Arunningfireofknockswasgoingonallaround。
Shesatdowninacorner。Inaminuteortwo，shefanciedshesawstrangefiguresmovingabout，generallynearthefloor，andveryimperfectlydeveloped。Sometimesonlyahand，sometimesonlyafoot，shadoweditselfoutofthedimobscurity。Shetriedtopersuadeherselfthatitwasalldone，somehoworother，byFunkelstein，yetshecouldnothelpwatchingwithacuriousdread。
Shewasnotaveryexcitablewoman，andhernervesweresafeenough。
Inaminuteortwomore，thetableatwhichtheywereseated，begantomoveupanddownwithakindofverticaloscillation，andseveralthingsintheroombegantoslideabout，byshort，apparentlypurposelessjerks。Everythingthreatenedtoassumemotion，andturnthelibraryintoadomesticchaos。Mrs。Eltondeclaredafterwardsthatseveralbookswerethrownabouttheroom——Butsuddenlyeverythingwasasstillasthemoonlight。Everychairandtablewasatrest，lookingperfectlyincapableofmotion。Mrs。Eltonfeltthatshedarednotsaytheyhadmovedatall，soutterlyordinarywastheirappearance。Notasoundwastobeheardfromcornerorceiling。Afteramoment"ssilence，Mrs。Eltonwasquiterestoredtohersoundmind，asshesaid，andlefttheroom。
“Someadverseinfluenceisatwork，“saidFunkelstein，withsomevexation。“Whatisinthatcloset？”
Sosayingheapproachedthedooroftheprivatestaircase，andopenedit。Theysawhimstartaside，andaveileddarkfigurepasshim，crossthelibrary，andgooutbyanotherdoor。
“Ihavemysuspicions，“saidFunkelstein，witharathertremulousvoice。
“Andyourfearstoo，Ithink。Grantitnow，“saidMr。Arnold。
“Granted，Mr。Arnold。Letusgotothedrawing-room。“
JustasMargarethadreachedthelibrarydooratthebottomoftheprivatestair，eitherapuffofwindfromanopenloopholewindow，orsomeothercause，destroyedthearrangementoftheveil，andmadeitfallquiteoverherface，Shestoppedforamomenttoreadjustit。Shehadnotquitesucceeded，whenFunkelsteinopenedthedoor。
Withoutaninstant"shesitation，shelettheveilfall，andwalkedforward。
Mrs。Eltonhadgonetoherownroom，onherwaytoLadyEmily"s。
Whenshereachedthelatter，shefoundMargaretseatedasshehadlefther，bythebedside。LadyEmilysaid：
“Ididnotmissyou，Margaret，halfsomuchasIexpected。But，indeed，youwerenotmanymomentsgone。Idonotcareforthatmannow。Hecan"thurtme，canhe？”
“Certaintynot。Ihopehewillgiveyounomoretroubleeither，dearLadyEmily。ButifImightpresumetoadviseyou，Iwouldsay——Getwellassoonasyoucan，andleavethisplace。“
“WhyshouldI？Youfrightenme。Mr。Arnoldisverykindtome。“
“TheplacequitesuitsLadyEmily，Iamsure，Margaret。“
“ButLadyEmilyisnotsowellaswhenshecame。“
“No，butthatisnotthefaultoftheplace，“saidLadyEmily。“Iamsureitisallthathorridman"sdoing。“
“Howelsewillyougetridofhim，then？Whatifhewantstogetridofyou？”
“WhatharmcanIbedoinghim——apoorgirllikeme？”
“Idon"tknow。ButIfearthereissomethingnotrightgoingon。“
“WewilltellMr。Arnoldatonce，“saidMrs。Elton。
“Butwhatcouldyoutellhim，ma"am？Mr。Arnoldishardlyonetolistentoyourmaid"ssuspicions。DearLadyEmily，youmustgetwellandgo。“
“Iwilltry，“saidLadyEmily，submissiveasachild。
“Ithinkyouwillbeabletogetupforalittlewhiletomorrow。“
Atapcametothedoor。ItwasEuphrasia，inquiringafterLadyEmily。
“AskMissCamerontocomein，“saidtheinvalid。
Sheentered。Hermannerwasmuchchanged——wassubduedandsuffering。
“DearMissCameron，youandIoughttochangeplaces。Iamsorrytoseeyoulookingsoill，“saidLadyEmily。
“Ihavehadaheadacheallday。Ishallbequitewellto-morrow，thankyou。“
“Iintendtobesotoo，“saidLadyEmily，cheerfully。
Aftersomelittletalk，Euphrawent，holdingherhandtoherforehead。Margaretdidnotlookup，allthetimeshewasintheroom，butwentonbusilywithherneedle。
Thatnightwasapeacefulone。
CHAPTERXXII。
THERING。
shiningcrystal，whichOutofherwombathousandrayonsthrew。
BELLAY：translatedbySpenser。
Thenextday，LadyEmilywasverynearlyaswellasshehadproposedbeing。Shedidnot，however，makeherappearancebelow。Mr。
Arnold，hearingatluncheonthatshewasoutofbed，immediatelysentuphiscompliments，withtherequestthathemightbepermittedtoseeheronhisreturnfromtheneighbouringvillage，wherehehadsomebusiness。TothisLadyEmilygladlyconsented。
Hesatwithheralongtime，talkingaboutvariousthings；forthepresenceofthegirl，remindinghimofhisyoungwife，broughtoutthebestoftheman，lyingyetaliveundertheincrustationofself-importance，anditsinevitablestupidity。Atlength，subjectoffurtherconversationfailing，“Iwonderwhatwecandotoamuseyou，LadyEmily，“saidhe。
“Thankyou，Mr。Arnold；Iamnotatalldull。Withmykindfriend，Mrs。Elton，and——“
ShewouldhavesaidMargaret，butbecameinstinctivelyawarethatthementionofherwouldmakeMr。Arnoldopenhiseyes，forhedidnotevenknowhername；andthathewouldstareyetwiderwhenhelearnedthatthevaluedcompanionreferredtowasMrs。Elton"smaid。
Mr。Arnoldlefttheroom，andpresentlyreturnedwithhisarmsfilledwithallthedrawing-roombookshecouldfind，withgrandbindingsoutside，andequallygrandplatesinside。TheseheheapedonthetablebesideLadyEmily，whotriedtolookinterested，butscarcelysucceededtoMr。Arnold"ssatisfaction，forhepresentlysaid：
“Youdon"tseemtocaremuchaboutthese，dearLadyEmily。I
daresayyouhavelookedatthemallalready，inthisdullhouseofours。“
ThiswasawonderfuladmissionfromMr。Arnold。Hepondered——thenexclaimed，asifhehadjustmadeagranddiscovery：
“Ihaveit！Iknowsomethingthatwillinterestyou。“
“Donottroubleyourself，pray，Mr。Arnold，“saidLadyEmily。Buthewasalreadyhalfwaytothedoor。
Hewenttohisownroom，andhisownstrongclosettherein。
Returningtowardstheinvalid"squarterswithanebonyboxofconsiderablesize，hefounditratherheavy，andmeetingEuphrabytheway，requestedhertotakeoneofthesilverhandles，andhelphimtocarryittoLadyEmily"sroom。Shestartedwhenshesawit，butmerelysaid：
“Withpleasure，uncle。“
“Now，LadyEmily，“saidhe，as，settingdownthebox，hetookoutacuriousantiqueenamelledkey，“weshallbeabletoamuseyouforalittlewhile。“
Heopenedthebox，anddisplayedsuchaglitterandshowaswouldhavedelightedtheeyesofanylady。Allkindsofstrangeornaments；ancientwatches——oneofthemadeath"sheadingold；
cameonecklaces；pearlsabundant；diamonds，rubies，andallthecoloursofpreciousstones——everyoneofthemhavingsomehistory，whetherknowntotheownerornot；gemsthathadflashedonmanyafairfingerandmanyashiningneck——laybeforeLadyEmily"sdelightedeyes。ButEuphrasia"seyesshone，asshegazedonthem，withaverydifferentexpressionfromthatwhichsparkledinLadyEmily"s。Theyseemedtosearchthemwithfingersoflightning。Mr。
Arnoldchosetwoorthree，andgaveLadyEmilyherchoiceofthem。
“Icouldnotthinkofdeprivingyou。“
“Theyareofnousetome，“saidMr。Arnold，makinglightofthehandsomeoffer。
“Youaretookind——Ishouldlikethisring。“
“Takeitthen，dearLadyEmily。“
Euphrasia"seyeswerenotonthespeakers，norwasanyenvytobeseeninherface。Shestillgazedatthejewelsinthebox。
Thechosengemwasputaside；andthen，oneafteranother，thevariousarticlesweretakenoutandexamined。Atlength，alargegoldchain，setwithemeralds，wasliftedfromwhereitlaycoiledupinacorner。Alowcry，likeamuffledmoan，escapedfromEuphrasia"slips，andsheturnedherheadawayfromthebox。
“Whatisthematter，Euphra？”saidMr。Arnold。
“Asuddenshootofpain——Ibegyourpardon，dearuncle。IfearIamnotquitesowellyetasIthoughtIwas。Howstupidofme！”
“Dositdown。Ifeartheweightoftheboxwastoomuchforyou。“
“Notintheleast。Iwanttoseetheprettythings。“
“Butyouhaveseenthembefore。“
“No，uncle。Youpromisedtoshowthemtome，butyouneverdid。“
“YouseewhatIgetbybeingill，“saidLadyEmily。
Thechainwasexamined，admired，andlaidaside。
Whereithadlain，theynowobserved，inthecorner，ahugestonelikeadiamond。
“Whatisthis？”saidLadyEmily，takingitup。“Oh！Isee。Itisaring。Butsucharingforsize，Ineversaw。Dolook，MissCameron。“
ForMissCameronwasnotlooking。Shewasleaningherheadonherhand，andherfacewasashypale。LadyEmilytriedtheringon。
Anytwoofherfingerswouldgointothebroadgoldcirclet，beyondwhichthestoneprojectedfarineverydirection。Indeed，theringwasattachedtothestone，ratherthanthestonesetinthering。
“Thatisacuriousthing，isitnot？”saidMr。Arnold。“Itisofnovalueinitself，Ibelieve；itisnothingbutacrystal。Butitseemstohavebeenalwaysthoughtsomethingofinthefamily；——I
presumefromitsbeingevidentlytheveryringpaintedbySirPeterLelyinthatportraitofLadyEuphrasiawhichIshowedyoutheotherday。Itisaclumsyaffair，isitnot？”
ItmighthaveoccurredtoMr。Arnold，thatsuchathingmusthavebeenthoughtsomethingof，beforeitsownerwouldhavechosentowearitwhensittingforherportrait。
LadyEmilywasjustgoingtolayitdown，whenshespiedsomethingthatmadeherlookatitmoreclosely。
“Whatcuriousengravingisthisuponthegold？”sheasked。
“Idonotknow，indeed，“answeredMr。Arnold。“Ihaveneverobservedit。“
“Lookatit，then——alloverthegold。Whatatfirstlooksonlylikechasing，is，Idobelieve，words。ThecharacterlookstomelikeGerman。IwishIcouldreadit。IambutapoorGermanscholar。
Dolookatit，please，dearMissCameron。“
Euphraglancedslightlyatitwithouttouchingit，andsaid：
“IamsureIcouldmakenothingofit——But，“sheadded，asifstruckbyasuddenthought，“asLadyEmilyseemsinterestedinit——supposewesendforMr。Sutherland。Ihavenodoubthewillbeabletodecipherit。“
Sheroseasifshewouldgoforhimherself；but，apparentlyonsecondthoughts，wenttothebellandrangit。
“Oh！donottroubleyourself，“interposedLadyEmily，inatonethatshowedshewouldlikeitnotwithstanding。
“Notroubleatall，“answeredEuphraandheruncleinabreath。
“Jacob，“saidMr。Arnold，“takemycomplimentstoMr。Sutherland，andaskhimtostepthisway。“
Themanwent，andHughcame。
“There"sapuzzleforyou，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，asheentered。“Decipherthatinscription，andgainthefavourofLadyEmilyforever。“
AshespokeheputtheringinHugh"shand。Hughrecognizeditatonce。
“Ah！thisisLadyEuphrasia"swonderfulring，“saidhe。
Euphracastonhimoneofhersuddenglances。
“Whatdoyouknowaboutit？”saidMr。Arnold，hastily。
Euphraflashedathimoncemore，covertly。
“Ionlyknowthatthisistheringinherportrait。Anyonemayseethatitisaverywonderfulringindeed，byonlylookingatit，“
answeredHugh，smiling。
“Ihopeitisnottoowonderfulforyoutogetatthemysteryofit，though，Mr。Sutherland？”saidLadyEmily。
“LadyEmilyisdyingtounderstandtheinscription，“saidEuphrasia。
BythistimeHughwasturningitroundandround，tryingtogetabeginningtothelegend。Butinthishemetwithadifficulty。Thefactwas，thattheinitialletteroftheinscriptioncouldonlybefoundbylookingintothecrystalheldclosetotheeye。Thewordsseemednotaltogetherunknowntohim，thoughthecharacterswerealittlestrange，andthewordsthemselveswereundivided。Thedinnerbellrang。
“Dearme！howthetimegoesinyourroom，LadyEmily！”saidMr。
Arnold，whowasneverknowntokeepdinnerwaitingamoment。“Willyouventuretogodownwithusto-day？”
“IfearImustnotto-day。To-morrow，Ihope。Butdoputupthesebeautiesbeforeyougo。Idarenottouchthemwithoutyou，anditissomuchmorepleasureseeingthem，whenIhaveyoutotellmeaboutthem。“
“Well，throwthemin，“saidMr。Arnold，pretendinganindifferencehedidnotfeel。“Therealityofdinnermustnotbepostponedtothefancyofjewels。“
AllthistimeHughhadstoodporingovertheringatthewindow，whitherhehadtakenitforbetterlight，astheshadowswerefalling。Euphrabusiedherselfreplacingeverythinginthebox。
Whenallwerein，shehastilyshutthelid。
“Well，Mr。Sutherland？”saidMr。Arnold。
“Iseemonthepointofmakingitout，Mr。Arnold，butIcertainlyhavenotsucceededyet。“
“Confessyourselfvanquished，then，andcometodinner。“
“Iamveryunwillingtogivein，forIfeelconvincedthatifIhadleisuretocopytheinscriptionasfarasIcanreadit，Ishould，withthehelpofmydictionary，soonsupplytherest。Iamveryunwilling，aswell，toloseachanceofthefavourofLadyEmily。“
“Yes，doreadit，ifyoucan。Itooamdyingtohearit，“saidEuphra。
“Willyoutrustmewithit，Mr。Arnold？Iwilltakethegreatestcareofit。“
“Oh，certainly！”repliedMr。Arnold——withalittlehesitationinhistone，however，ofwhichHughwastooeagertotakeanynotice。
Hecarriedittohisroomimmediately，andlaiditbesidehismanuscriptverses，inthehiding-placeoftheoldescritoire。Hewasinthedrawing-roomamomentafter。
TherehefoundEuphraandtheBohemianalone——VonFunkelsteinhad，inanincrediblyshortspaceoftime，establishedhimselfasHausfreund，andcameandwentashepleased——Theylookedasiftheyhadbeeninterruptedinahurriedandearnestconversation——theirfacesweresoimpassive。YetEuphra"sworeaconsiderablyheightenedcolour——amorearticulateindication。Shecouldschoolherfeatures，butnothercomplexion。
CHAPTERXXIII。
THEWAGER。
He……stakesthisring；
Andwouldso，haditbeenacarbuncleOfPh渂us"wheel；andmightsosafely，haditBeenalltheworthofhiscar。
Cymbeline。
Hugh，ofcourse，hadanimmediateattackofjealousy。Wishingtoshowitinonequarter，andhideitineveryother，hecarefullyabstainedfromlookingonceinthedirectionofEuphra；while，throughoutthedinner，hespoketoeveryoneelseasoftenastherewasthesmallestpretextfordoingso。Toenablehimselftokeepthisup，hedrankwinefreely。Ashewasingeneralverymoderate，bythetimetheladiesrose，ithadbeguntoaffecthisbrain。Itwasnothalfsopotent，however，initsinfluences，asthepartingglancewhichEuphrasucceededatlast，asshelefttheroom，insendingthroughhiseyestohisheart。
Hughsatdowntothetableagain，withaquietertongue，butabusierbrain。Hedrankstill，withoutthinkingoftheconsequences。
Astrongwillkepthimfromshowinganysignsofintoxication，buthewascertainlynearertothatstatethanhehadeverbeeninhislifebefore。
TheBohemianstartedthenewsubjectwhichgenerallyfollowstheladies"departure。
“HowlongisitsinceArnsteadwasfirstsaidtobehaunted，Mr。
Arnold？”
“Haunted！HerrvonFunkelstein？Iamatalosstounderstandyou，“
repliedMr。Arnold，whoresentedanysuchallusion，beingsubversiveofthehonourofhishouse，almostasmuchasifithadbeendepreciativeofhisown。
“Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Arnold。Ithoughtitwasanopensubjectofremark。“
“Soitis，“saidHugh；“everyoneknowsthat。“
Mr。Arnoldwasstruckdumbwithindignation。Beforehehadrecoveredhimselfsufficientlytoknowwhattosay，theconversationbetweentheothertwohadassumedaformtowhichhislateexperiencesinclinedhimtolistenwithsomedegreeofinterest。
But，hispridesternlyforbiddinghimtojoininit，hesatsippinghiswineincarelesssublimity。
“Youhaveseenityourself，then？”saidtheBohemian。
“Ididnotsaythat，“answeredHugh。“ButIheardoneofthemaidssayonce——when——“
Hepaused。
Thishesitationofhiswitnessedagainsthimafterwards，inMr。
Arnold"sjudgment。Buthetooknonoticenow——Hughendedtamelyenough：
“Why，itiscommonlyreportedamongsttheservants。“
“Withabluelight？——Suchaswesawthatnightfromthelibrarywindow，Isuppose。“
“Ididnotsaythat，“answeredHugh。“Besides，itwasnothingofthesortyousawfromthelibrary。Itwasonlythemoon。But——“
Hepausedagain。VonFunkelsteinsawtheconditionhewasin，andpressedhim。
“Youknowsomethingmore，Mr。Sutherland。“
Hughhesitatedagain，butonlyforamoment。
“Well，then，“hesaid，“Ihaveseenthespectremyself，walkinginherwhitegrave-clothes，intheGhost"sAvenue——ha！ha！”
Funkelsteinlookedanxious。
“Wereyoufrightened？”saidhe。
“Frightened！”repeatedHugh，inatoneofthegreatestcontempt。“I
amofDonJuan"sopinionwithregardtosuchgentry。“
“Whatisthat？”
“"Thatsoulandbody，onthewhole，Areoddsagainstadisembodiedsoul。"“
“Bravo！”criedthecount。“YoudespiseallthesetalesaboutLadyEuphrasia，wanderingaboutthehousewithadeath-candleinherhand，lookingeverywhereaboutasifshehadlostsomething，andcouldn"tfindit？”
“Pooh！pooh！IwishIcouldmeether！”
“Thenyoudon"tbelieveawordofit？”
“Idon"tsaythat。Therewouldbelessofcouragethanboastingintalkingso，ifIdidnotbelieveawordofit。“
“Thenyoudobelieveit？”
ButHughwastoomuchofaScotchmantogiveahastyopinion，orratheradirectanswer——evenwhenhalf-tipsy；especiallywhensuchwasevidentlydesired。Heonlyshookandnoddedhisheadatthesamemoment。
“Doyoureallymeanyouwouldmeetherifyoucould？”
“Ido。“
“Then，ifalltalesaretrue，youmay，withoutmuchdifficulty。Forthecoachmantoldmeonlyto-day，thatyoumayseeherlightinthewindowofthatroomalmostanynight，towardsmidnight。Hetoldme，too(forImadequiteafriendofhimto-day，onpurposetohearhistales)，thatoneofthemaids，wholefttheotherday，toldthegroom——andhetoldthecoachman——thatshehadonceheardtalking；
and，peepingthroughthekey-holeofadoorthatledintothatpartoftheoldhouse，sawafigure，dressedexactlylikethepictureofLadyEuphrasia，wanderingupanddown，wringingherhandsandbeatingherbreast，asifshewereinterribletrouble。Shehadalightinherhandwhichburnedawfullyblue，andherfacewasthefaceofacorpse，withpale-greenspots。“
“Youthinktofrightenme，Funkelstein，andmakemetrembleatwhatIsaidaminuteago。Insteadofrepeatingthat。Isaynow：IwillsleepinLadyEuphrasia"sroomthisnight，ifyoulike。“
“Ilayyouahundredguineasyouwon"t！”criedtheBohemian。
“Done！”saidHugh，offeringhimhishand。Funkelsteintookit；andsothebetwascommittedtothedecisionofcourage。
“Well，gentlemen，“interposedMr。Arnoldatlast，“youmighthaveleftacornerformesomewhere。Withoutmypermissionyouwillhardlysettleyourwager。“
“Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Arnold，“saidFunkelstein。“Wegotratherexcitedoverit，andforgotourmanners。ButIamquitewillingtogiveitup，ifMr。Sutherlandwill。“
“NotI，“saidHugh；——“thatis，ofcourse，ifMr。Arnoldhasnoobjection。“
“Ofcoursenot。Myhouse，ghostandall，isatyourservice，gentlemen，“respondedMr。Arnold，rising。
Theywenttothedrawing-room。Mr。Arnold，strangetosay，wasinagoodhumour。HewalkeduptoMrs。Elton，andsaid：
“Thesewickedmenhavebeenbetting，Mrs。Elton。“
“Iamsurprisedtheyshouldbesosilly，“saidshe，withasmile，takingitasajoke。
“Whathavetheybeenbettingabout？”saidEuphra，cominguptoheruncle。
“HerrvonFunkelsteinhaslaidahundredguineasthatMr。SutherlandwillnotsleepinLadyEuphrasia"sroomto-night。“
Euphraturnedpale。
“BysleepIsupposeyoumeanspendthenight？”saidHughtoFunkelstein。“Icannotbecertainofsleeping，youknow。“
“Ofcourse，Imeanthat，“answeredtheother；and，turningtoEuphrasia，continued：
“ImustsayIconsideritrathercourageousofhimtodarethespectreashedoes，forhecannotsayhedisbelievesinher。Butcomeandsingmeoneoftheoldsongs，“headded，inanundertone。
Euphraallowedhimtoleadhertothepiano；butinsteadofsingingasongtohim，sheplayedsomenoisymusic，throughwhichheandshecontrivedtotalkforsometime，withoutbeingoverheard；afterwhichhelefttheroom。EuphrathenlookedroundtoHugh，andbeggedhimwithhereyestocometoher。Hecouldnotresist，burningwithjealousyashewas。
“Areyousureyouhavenerveenoughforthis，Hugh？”shesaid，stillplaying。
“Ihavehadnerveenoughtositstillandlookatyouforthelasthalfhour，“answeredHugh，rudely。
Sheturnedpale，andglancedupathimwithatroubledlook。Then，withoutrespondingtohisanswer，said：
“Idaresaythecountisnotover-anxioustoholdyoutoyourbet。“
“Prayintercedeformewiththecount，madam，“answeredHugh，sarcastically。“Hewouldnotwishtheyoungfooltobefrightened，I
daresay。Butperhapshewishestohaveaninterviewwiththeghosthimself，andgrudgesmetheprivilege。“
Sheturneddeadlypalethistime，andgavehimoneterrifiedglance，butmadenootherreplytohiswords。Stillsheplayedon。
“Youwillarmyourself？”
“Againstaghost？Yes，withastoutheart。“
“Butdon"tforgetthesecretdoorthroughwhichwecamethatnight，Hugh。Idistrustthecount。“
Thelastwordswerespokeninawhisper，emphasizedintoalmostahiss。
“TellhimIshallbearmed。ItellyouIshallmeethimbare-handed。Betraymeifyoulike。“
Hughhadtakenhisrevenge，andnowcamethereaction。HegazedatEuphra；butinsteadoftheinjuredlook，whichwasthebesthecouldhopetosee，anexpressionof“pityandruth“grewslowlyinherface，makingitmorelovelythaneverinhiseyes。Atlastsheseemedonthepointofburstingintotears；and，suddenlychangingthemusic，shebeganplayingadead-march。Shekepthereyesonthekeys。Oncemore，only，sheglancedround，toseewhetherHughwasstillbyherside；andhesawthatherfacewaspaleasdeath，andwetwithsilenttears。Hehadneverseenherweepbefore。Hewouldhavefallenatherfeet，hadhebeenalonewithher。Tohidehisfeelings，helefttheroom，andthenthehouse。
HewanderedintotheGhost"sWalk；and，findinghimselfthere，walkedupanddowninit。Thiswascertainlythrowingtheladyaboldchallenge，seeinghewasgoingtospendthenightinherroom。
Theexcitementintowhichjealousyhadthrownhim，hadbeensuddenlycheckedbythesightofEuphra"stears。Thereaction，too，afterhispartialintoxication，hadalreadybeguntosetin；tobeaccountedforpartlybythefactthatitssourcehadbeenchieflychampagne，andpartlybytheotherfact，thathehadboundhimselfinhonour，todareaspectreinherownfavouritehaunt。
Ontheotherhand，thesightofEuphra"semotionhadgivenhimafarbettercouragethanjealousyorwinecouldafford。Yet，aftertenminutespassedintheshadowsoftheGhost"sWalk，hewouldnothavetakenthebetattentimesitsamount。
Buttoloseitnowwouldhavebeenaseriousaffairforhim，thedisgraceoffailureunconsidered。Ifhecouldhavelostahundredguineas，itwouldhavebeencomparativelyaslightmatter；buttoloseabet，andbeutterlyunabletopayit，wouldbedisgraceful——nobetterthanpositivecheating。Hehadnotthoughtofthisatthetime。Nor，evennow，wasitmorethanapassingthought；forhehadnotthesmallestdesiretorecede。TheambitionofprovinghiscouragetoEuphra，and，farmore，thestrengthjustaffordedhimbythesightofhertears，werequitesufficienttocarryhimontotheordeal。Whethertheywouldcarryhimthroughitwithdignity，hedidnotaskhimself。
And，afterall，wouldtheghostappear？Atthebest，shemightnotcome；attheveryworst，shewouldbebutaghost；andhecouldsaywithHamlet——
“formysoul，whatcanitdotothat，Beingathingasimmortalasitself？”
Butthen，hisjealousyhavingforthemomentintermitted，HughwasnotabletosaywithHamlet——
“Idonotsetmylifeatapin"sfee；“
andthathadmuchtodowithHamlet"scourageintheaffairoftheghost。
Hewalkedupanddowntheavenue，till，beginningtofeelthenightchilly，hebegantofeeltheavenueeerie；forcoldisveryantagonistictophysicalcourage。Butwhatrefugewouldhefindintheghost"sroom？
Hereturnedtothedrawing-room。VonFunkelsteinandEuphraweretherealone，butinnoproximity。Mr。Arnoldsoonentered。
“ShallIhavethebedpreparedforyou，Mr。Sutherland？”saidEuphra。
“Whichofyourmaidswillyoupersuadetothatoffice？”saidMr。
Arnold，withafacetiousexpression。
“Imustdoitmyself，“answeredEuphra，“ifMr。Sutherlandpersists。“
Hughsaw，orthoughthesaw，theBohemiandartanangryglanceatEuphra，whoshrankunderit。Butbeforehecouldspeak，Mr。Arnoldrejoined：
“Youcanmakeabed，then？Thatisthehousemaid"sphrase，isitnot？”
“Icandoanythinganothercan，uncle。“
“Bravo！Canyouseetheghost？”
“Yes，“sheanswered，withalowlingeringonthesibilant；lookinground，atthesametime，withanexpressionthatimpliedahopethatHughhadheardit；asindeedhehad。
“What！Euphratoo？”saidMr。Arnold，inatoneofgentlecontempt。
“Donotdisturbtheghost"sbedforme，“saidHugh。“Itwouldbeapitytodisarrangeit，afterithaslainsoforanage。Besides，I
neednotrousethewrathofthepoorspectremorethancan"tbehelped。IfImustsleepinherroom，Ineednotsleepinherbed。
Iwilllieontheoldcouch。HerrvonFunkelstein，whatproofshallIgiveyou？”
“Yourword，Mr。Sutherland，“repliedFunkelstein，withabow。
“Thankyou。AtwhathourmustIbethere。“
“Oh！Idon"tknow。ByelevenIshouldthink。Oh！anytimebeforemidnight。That"stheghost"sown，isitnot？Itisnow——letmesee——almostten。“
“ThenIwillgoatonce，“saidHugh，thinkingitbettertomeetthegradualapproachofthephantom-hourintheroomitself，thantowalktherethroughthedesolatehouse，andentertheroomjustasthefearwouldbegatheringthickestwithinit。Besides，hewasafraidthathiscouragemighthavebrokendownalittlebythattime，andthathewouldnotbeabletoconcealentirelytheanticipativedread，whoseinroadhehadreasontoapprehend。
“Ihaveonegoodcupofteayet，Mr。Sutherland，“saidEuphra。“Willyounotstrengthenyournerveswiththat，beforeweleadyoutothetomb？”
“Thenshewillgowithme，“thoughtHugh。“Iwill，thankyou，MissCameron。“
Heapproachedthetableatwhichshestoodpouringoutthecupoftea。Shesaid，lowandhurriedly，withoutraisingherhead：
“Don"tgo，dearHugh。Youdon"tknowwhatmayhappen。“
“Iwillgo，Euphra。Notevenyoushallpreventme。“
“Iwillpaythewagerforyou——lendyouthemoney。“
“Euphra！”——Thetoneimpliedmanythings。
Mr。Arnoldapproached。Otherconversationfollowed。Ashalf-pasttenchimedfromtheclockonthechimney-piece，Hughrosetogo。
“Iwilljustgetabookfrommyroom，“hesaid；“andthenperhapsHerrvonFunkelsteinwillbekindenoughtoseememakeabeginningatleast。“
“CertainlyIwill。AndIadviseyoutoletthebookbeEdgarPoe"sTales。“
“No。IshallneedallthecourageIhave，Iassureyou。Ishallfindyouhere？”
“Yes。“