\"SomeofthefellowsaregoingThursday，\"hesaid。\"Areyougoingtostickitouttothebitterend？\"
TillthenithadnotoccurredtoVerrianthathewasnotgoingtostaythroughtheweek，butnowhesaid，\"Idon’tknowbutImaygoThursday。
Shallyou？\"
\"Imightaswellstayon。Idon’tfindmuchdoinginrealestateatChristmas。Doyou？\"
Thiswasfishing，butitwasbetterthanopenlytakinghimforthatactor，andVerriananswered，unresentfully，\"Idon’tknow。I’mnotinthatlineexactly。\"
\"Oh，Ibegyourpardon，\"Bushwicksaid。\"IthoughtIhadseenyournamewiththatofaWestSideconcern。\"
\"No，Ihaveasortofoutsideconnectionwiththepublishingbusiness。\"
\"Oh，\"Bushwickreturned，politely，anditwouldhavebeenreassuringlyifVerrianhadwishednottobeknownasanauthor。Thesecretinwhichhelivedinthatregardwasapparentlysafefromthatyoung，amiable，good-
lookingreal-estatebroker。Heinferred，fromtheabsenceofanyallusiontothesuperstitionofthewomenastohisprofession，thatithadnotspreadtoBushwickatleast，andthisinclinedhimthemoretolikehim。TheysatuptalkingpleasantlytogetheraboutimpersonalaffairstillBushwickfinishedhiscigar。Thenhestartedforbed，saying，\"Well，good-night。IhopeMrs。Westanglewon’thaveanythingsoactiveonthetapisfortomorrow。\"
\"Tryandsleepitoff。Good-night。\"
XV。
Verrianremainedtofinishhiscigar，butattheendhewasnotyetsleepy，andhethoughthewouldgetabookfromthelibrary，ifthatpartofthehousewerestilllighted，andhelookedouttosee。Apparentlyitwasasbrilliantlyilluminatedaswhenthecompanyhadseparatedthereforthenight，andhepushedacrossthefoyerhallthatseparatedthebilliard-roomfromthedrawing-zoomandlibrary。Heenteredthedrawing-
room，andinthedepthsofthelibrary，relievedagainsttherowsofbooksintheirglasscases，hestartledMissShirleyfromaposewhichsheseemedtobetakingtherealone。
Attheinstantoftheirmutualrecognitionshegavealittlemutedshriek，andthengaspedout，\"Ibegyourpardon，\"whilehewassaying，too，\"Ibegyourpardon。\"
Afteratacitexchangeofforgiveness，hesaid，\"IamafraidIstartledyou。Iwasjustcomingforabooktoreadmyselfasleepwith。I——\"
\"Notatall，\"shereturned。\"Iwasjust——\"Thenshedidnotsaywhat，andheasked：
\"Makingsomestudies？\"
\"Yes，\"sheowned，withreluctantpromptness。
\"Imustn’taskwhat，\"hesuggested，andhemadeanefforttosmileawaywhatseemedapainfulperturbationinherashewentforwardtolookatthebook-shelves，fromwhich，tillthen，shehadnotslippedaside。
\"I’minyourway，\"shesaid，andheanswered，\"Notatall。\"Headdedtotheothersentencehehadspoken，\"Ifit’sgoingtobeasgoodaswhatyougaveustoday——\"
\"Youareverykind。\"Shehesitated，andthenshesaid，abruptly：\"WhatI
didto-dayowedeverythingtoyou，Mr。Verrian，\"andwhilehedesistedfromsearchingthebook-shelves，shestoodlookinganxiouslyathim，withthepulseinherneckvisiblythrobbing。Heragitationwasreallypainful，butVerriandidnotattributeittoherfindingherselftherealonewithhimatmidnight;forthoughtheotherguestshadallgonetobed，thehousewasawakeinsomeoftheservants，andanelderlywomancameinpresentlybringingabreadthofsilverygauze，whichsheheldup，askingifitwasthat。
\"Notexactly，butitwilldonicely，Mrs。Stager。Wouldyoumindgettingmetheverypale-bluepiecethatelectricblue？\"
\"I’mlookingforsomethinggoodanddull，\"Verriansaid，whenthewomanwasgone。
\"Travelsaregood，ornarratives，forsleepingon，\"shesaid，withabreathlesseffortforcalm。\"Ifound，\"shepanted，\"inmyowninsomnia，thatmerelythebroken-uplookofapageofdialogueinanovelrackedmynervessothatIcouldn’tsleep。Butnarrativeswerebeautifullysoothing。\"
\"Thankyou，\"heresponded;\"that’sagoodidea。\"Andstooping，withhishandsonhisknees，herangedbackandforthalongtheshelves。\"ButMrs。Westangle’slibrarydoesn’tseemtobeveryrichinnarrative。\"
Hehadnothismindonthesearchperhaps，andperhapssheknewit。Shepresentlysaid，\"IwishIdaredaskyouafavor——Imeanyouradvice，Mr。
Verrian。\"
Heliftedhimselffromhisstoopingpostureandlookedather，smiling。
\"Wouldthattakemuchcourage？\"Hissmilewasalittlemocking;hewasthinkingthatagirlwhowouldhurrythatnotetohim，andwouldpersonallyseethatitdidnotfailtoreachhim，wouldhavethecourageformuchmore。
Shedidnotreplydirectly。\"Ishouldhavetoexplain，butIknowyouwon’ttell。Thisisgoingtobemypiecederesistance，mygrandstunt。
I’mgoingtobringitoffthelastnight。\"ShestoppedlongenoughforVerriantorevisehisresolutionofgoingawaywiththefellowswhowereleavingthemiddleoftheweek，andtodecideonstayingtotheend。
\"IamgoingtocallitSeeingGhosts。\"
\"That’sgood，\"Verriansaid，provisionally。
\"Yes，ImightsayIwassurprisedatmythinkingitup。\"
\"Thatwouldbeoneformofmodesty。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，withawansmileshehad，\"andthenagainitmightn’tbeanother。\"Shewenton，abruptly，\"Asmanyaslikecantakepartintheperformance。It’stobegivenout，anddistinctlyunderstoodbeforehand，thattheghostisn’taveridicalphantom，butjustanhonest，made-up，every-dayspook。Itmaychangeitsposefromtimetotime，oritsdrapery，butthesettingistobealwaysthesame，andthepeoplewhotaketheirturnsinseeingitaretobeexplicitlyreassured，oneafteranother，thatthere’snothinginit，youknow。Thefunwillbeinseeinghoweachonetakesit，aftertheyknowwhatitreallyis。\"
\"Thenyou’regoingtogiveusastudyoftemperaments。\"
\"Yes，\"sheassented。Andafteramoment，giventolettingthenotiongetquitehomewithher，sheasked，vividly，\"Wouldyouletmeuseit？\"
\"Thephrase？Why，certainly。Butwouldn’titberathertoopsychological？IthinkjustSeeingGhostswouldbebetter。\"
\"BetterthanSeeingGhosts：AStudyofTemperaments？Perhapsitwould。
Itwouldbesimpler。\"
\"Andinthishouseyouneedallthesimplicityyoucanget，\"hesuggested。
Shesmiled，intelligentlybutreticently。\"Myideaisthateveryonesomehowreallybelievesinghosts——IknowIdo——andsofullyexpectstoseeonethatanysortofmake-upwillaffectthemforthemomentjustasiftheydidseeone。Ithought——thatperhaps——Idon’tknowhowtosayitwithoutseemingtomakeuseofyou——\"
\"Oh，domakeuseofme，MissShirley！\"
\"Thatyoucouldgivemesomehintsaboutthesetting，withyourknowledgeofthestage——\"Shestopped，havingrushedforwardtothatpoint，whilehecontinuedtolooksteadilyatherwithoutansweringher。Shefacedhimcourageously，butnotconvincingly。
\"DidyouthinkthatIwasanactor？\"heasked，finally。
\"Mrs。Westangleseemedtothinkyouwere。\"
\"Butdidyou？\"
\"I’msureIdidn’tmean——Ibegyourpardon——\"
\"It’sallright。IfIwereanactorIshouldn’tbeashamedofit。ButI
wasmerelycurioustoknowwhetheryousharedtheprevalentsuperstition。
I’mafraidIcan’thelpyoufromaknowledgeofthestage，butifIcanbeofuse，fromasortofamateurinterestinpsychology，withanaffairlikethisIshallbeonlytooglad。\"
\"Thankyou，\"shesaid，somewhatfaintly，withaneffectofdismaydisproportionatetotheoccasion。
Shesankintoachairbeforewhichshehadbeenstanding，andshelookedasifsheweregoingtoswoon。
Hestartedtowardsherwithanalarmed\"MissShirley。
Sheputoutahandweaklytostayhim。\"Don’t！\"sheentreated。
\"I’malittle——Ishallbeallrightinamoment。\"
\"Can’tIgetyousomething——callsomeone？\"
\"Notfortheworld！\"shecommanded，andshepulledherselftogetherandstoodup。\"ButIthinkI’llstopforto-night。I’mgladmyideastrikesyoufavorably。It’smerely——Oh，youfoundit，Mrs。Stager！\"Shebrokeofftoaddressthewomanwhohadnowcomebackandwasholdingupthetrailingbreadthsoftheelectric-bluegauze。\"Isn’titlovely？\"
Shegaveherselftimetoadorethedrapery，withitschangesofmeteoriclucence，beforesheroseandtookit。Shewentwithittothebackgroundinthelibrary，where，againsttheglassdoorofthecases，sheinvolvedherselfinitandstoodshimmering。AthrillpiercedtoVerrian’sheart;
shewasindeedwraithlike，sothathehatedtohavehercall，\"Howwillthatdo？\"
Mrs。Stagermodestlyreferredthequestiontohimbyhersilence。
\"Iwillanswerforitsdoing，ifitdoesfortheothersasit’sdoneforme。\"
Shelaughed。\"Andyoudoublyknewwhatitwas。Yes，Ithinkitwillgo。\"Shetookanotherpose，andthenanother。\"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Mrs。Stager？\"shecalledtothewomanstandingrespectfullyabeyantatoneside。
\"It’sawful。Idon’tknowbutI’llbeafraidtogotomyroom。\"
\"Sitdown，andI’llgotoyourroomwithyouwhenI’mthrough。Iwon’tbelong，now。\"
Shetrieddifferentgauzes，whichshehadlyingononeofthechairs，andcrownedherselfwithtriumphintheapplausesofhertwospectators，rejoicingwithagleethatVerrianfoundchildlikeandwinning。
\"Ifthey’realllikeyou，itwillbethegreatestsuccess！\"
\"They’llallbelikeme，andmore，\"hesaid，\"I’mreallyverysevere。\"
\"Areyouasevereperson？\"sheasked，comingforwardtohim。\"Oughtpeopletobeafraidofyou？\"
\"Yes，peoplewithbadconsciences。I’mrattierafraidofmyselfforthatreason。\"
\"Haveyougotabadconscience？\"sheasked，lettinghereyesrestonhis。
\"Yes。Ican’tmakemyconductsquarewithmyidealofconduct。\"
\"Iknowwhatthatis！\"shesighed。\"Doyouexpecttobepunishedforit？\"
\"Iexpecttobegotevenwith。\"
\"Yes，oneis。I’venoticedthatmyself。ButIdidn’tsupposethatactors——Oh，Iforgot！Ibegyourpardonagain，Mr。Verrian。Oh——
Goodnight！\"Shefacedhimevanescentlyingoingout，withthewomanafterher，but，whethershedidsomoreinfearormoreindefiance，shelefthimstandingmotionlessinhisdoubt，andshedidnothingtosolvehisdoubtwhenshecamequicklybackalone，beforehewasawareofhavingmoved，tosay，\"Mr。Verrian，Iwantto——Ihaveto——tellyouthat——
Ididn’tthinkyouweretheactor。\"Thenshewasfinallygone，andVerrianhadnothingforitbuttogouptohisroomwiththebookhefoundhehadinhishandandmusthavehadthereallthetime。
Ifhehadreadit，thebookwouldnothaveeasedhimofftosleep，buthedidnoteventry，toreadit。Hehadnowishtosleep。Thewakingdreaminwhichhelosthimselfwasmoreinterestingthananyvisionofslumbercouldhavebeen，andhehadnodesiretoendit。Inthathecouldstillbetalkingwiththegirlwhosemysteryappealedtohimsopleasingly。
Itwasnonethelesspleasingbecause，atwhatmightbecalledherfirstblushes，shedidnotstrikehimasaltogetheringenuous，butonlyabletodisciplineherselfintoafinalsincerityfromaconsciousnesswhichhadbeentaughtwisdombyexperience。
Shewasstillascarcelyrecoveredinvalid，anditwaspatheticthatsheshouldbecommencingthestruggleoflifewithstrengthsolittleproportionedtothedemanduponit;andthecallingshehadtakenupwasofafantasticalityinsomeaspectswhichwasequallypathetic。Butalltheundertakingsofwomen，hemused，werepiteous，notonlybecausewomenwereunequaltothestruggleatthebest，butbecausetheywerehamperedalwayswiththemselves，withtheirsex，theirfemininity，andthenecessityofgettingitoutofthewaybeforetheycouldreallybegintofight。Whatevertheyattempteditmustbeinrelationtotheman’sworldinwhichlivingsweremade;buttheimmemorialconditionswerealmostwhollyunchanged。Awomanapproachedthisworldasawoman，withtheinborninstinctoftemptingitasawoman，towinittoloveherandmakeherawifeandmother;andalthoughshemightstoicallyovercomethetemptationatlast，itmightrecuratanymomentandovercomeher。Thiswasperpetuallyweakeningandimperillingher，andshemustfeelitattheencounterwitheachmanshemet。Shemustfeelthetacitandevenunconsciousironyofhisattitudetowardsherinherenterprise，andthefinerhermakethecruellerandthemorehumiliatinganddishearteningthismustbe。
Ofcourse，thisMissShirleyfeltVerrian’sirony，whichhehadguardedfromanyexpressionwithgenuinecompassionforher。Shemustfeelthattohisknowledgeoflifesheandherexperimenthadanabsurditywhichwouldnotpass，whatevertheirsuccessmightbe。Ifshemeantbusiness，andbusinessonly，theyoughttohavemetastwomenwouldhavemet，butheknewthattheyhadnotdoneso，andshemusthaveknownit。Allthatwasplainsailingenough，butbeyondthislayaseaofconjectureinwhichhefoundhimselfwithouthelmorcompass。Why，shouldshehaveactedafibabouthisbeinganactor，andwhy，aftertheend，shouldshehaveaddedanend，inwhichshereturnedtoownthatshehadbeenfibbing？Forthatwaswhatitcameto;andthoughVerriantastedadeliciouspleasureinthewomanishfeatbywhichsheovercameherwomanishness，hecouldnotpuzzleouthermotive。Hewasnotsurethathewishedtopuzzleitout。Toremainwithillimitableguessesathischoicewasmoreagreeable，forthepresentatleast，andhewasnotawareofhavinglapsedfromthemwhenhewokesolateastobeoneofthebreakfasterswhoseplateswerekeptforthemaftertheothersweregone。
XVI。
ItwasthefirsttimethatVerrianhadcomedownlate，anditwashisnovelexperiencetofindhimselfinchargeofMrs。Stageratbreakfast，insteadofthebutlerandthebutler’sman，whohadhithertoservedhimattheearlierhour。Therewereothers，somewhatremotefromhim，attable，whowereendingwhenhewasbeginning，andwhentheyhadjokedthemselvesoutoftheroomandawayfromMrs。Stager’sministrationshewasleftalonetoher。Hehadinstantlyappreciatedaqualityofmotherlinessinherattitudetowardshim，andnowhewassensibleofakindlyintimacytowhichheratherhelplesslyaddressedhimself。
\"Well，Mrs。Stager，didyouseeaghostonyourwaytobed？\"
\"Idon’tknowasIreallyexpectedto，\"shesaid。\"Won’tyouhaveafewmoreofthebuckwheats？\"
\"DoyouthinkI’dbetter？IbelieveIwon’t。They’reverytempting。
MissShirleymakesaverygoodghost，\"hesuggested。
Mrs。Stagerwouldnotatfirstcommitherselffurtherthantosayinbringinghimthebutter，\"She’sjustupfromalongfitofsickness。\"
Sheimpulsivelyadded，\"Sheain’thardlystrongenoughtobedoingwhatsheis，Itellher。\"
\"Iunderstoodshehadbeenill，\"Verriansaid。\"Wedroveoverfromthestationtogether，theotherday。\"
\"Yes，\"Mrs。Stageradmitted。\"Kindofanervousbreakdown，Ibelieve。
Butshe’sgotanawfulspirit。Mrs。Westangledon’twanthertodoallsheisdoing。\"
Verrianlookedatherinsurprise。HehadnotexpectedthatoftheIndia-rubbernaturehehadattributedtoMrs。Westangle。InviewofMrs。
Stager’sprivitytotheunimaginedkindlinessofhishostess，herelaxedhimselfinafurtherinterestinMissShirley，asifitwouldnowbesafe。\"She’sdonesplendidly，sofar，\"hesaid，meaningthegirl。
\"I’mgladMrs。Westangleappreciatesherwork。\"
\"Iguess，\"Mrs。Stagersaid，\"thatifithadn’tbeenforyouatthesnow-
fight——Shegotbackfromgettingreadyforit，thatmorning，almostdownsick，shewasafraidsoitwasgoingtofail。\"
\"Ididn’tdoanything，\"Verriansaid，puttingthepraisefromhim。
Mrs。Stagerloweredhervoiceinanoctaveofdeeperconfidentiability。
\"Yougotthenote？Iputitunder，andIdidn’tknow。\"
\"Ohyes，Igotit，\"Verriansaid，sensibleofarelief，whichhewouldnotassigntoanydefinitereason，inknowingthatMissShirleyhadnotherselfputitunderhisdoor。ButhenowhadtotakeupanotherburdeninthequestionwhetherMissShirleywereofanoriginsomuchabovethatofherconfidantthatshecouldhaveapatricianfearlessnessinmakinguseofher，orweresonearMrs。Stager’sleveloflifethatshewouldnaturallyturntoherforcounselandhelp。MissShirleyhadtheaccent，themanners，andthefrankcourageofalady;butthosethingscouldbelearned;theyweregotupforthestageeveryday。
VerrianwasrousedfromthemusehefoundhehadfallenintobyhearingMrs。Stagerask，\"Won’tyouhavesomemorecoffee？\"
\"No，thankyou，\"hesaid。Andnowherosefromthetable，onwhichhedreamilydroppedhisnapkin，andgothishatandcoatandwentoutforawalk。Hehadnotstudiedtheartoffictionsolong，inthemanyprivatefailuresthathadprecededhisonepublicsuccess，withoutbeingmadetoobservethatlifesometimesdealtintheaccidentsandcoincidenceswhichhiscriticismcondemnedastoohabituallytheresourceofthenovelist。
Hithertohehaddisdainedthemforthisreason;butsincehisserialstorywasoffhishands，andhewasbeginningtolookabouthimforfreshmaterial，hehaddoubtedmorethanoncewhetherhisseveritywasnottheeffectofanunjustifiableprejudice。
Itstruckhimnow，inturningthecornerofthewoodlotabovethemeadowwherethesnow-battlehadtakenplace，andsuddenlyfindinghimselffacetofacewithMissShirley，thatnaturewasinoneofheruninventivemoodsandwashelpingherselfoutfromtheoldstock-in-tradeoffiction。
Allthesame，hefeltaglowofpleasure，whichwasalsoaglowofpity;
forwhileMissShirleylooked，asalways，interesting，shelooktired，too，withasortofdesperateairwhichdidnototherwiseaccountforitself。Shehadgiven，atsightofhim，alittlestart，andalittle\"Oh！\"droppedfromherlips，asifithadbeenjostledfromthem。Shemadehastetogoon，withsomethinglikethevoluntaryhardinessofthecouragethatplucksitselffromtheprimaryemotionoffear，\"Youaregoingdowntotrytheskating？\"
\"DoIlookit，withoutskates？\"
\"Youmaybegoingtotrythesliding，\"shereturned。\"I’mafraidtherewon’tbemuchofeitherforlong。Thissoftairisgoingtomakehavocofmyplansforto-morrow。\"
\"That’stoobadofit。Whynothopeforahardfreezeto-night？Youmightaswell。Theweatherhasbeenknowntochangeitsmind。Youmightevenchangeyourplans。\"
\"No，Ican’tdothat。Ican’tthinkofanythingelse。It’stobridgeoverthedaythat’sleftbeforeSeeingGhosts。Ifitdoesfreeze，you’llcometoMrs。Westangle’safternoonteaonthepond？\"
\"Icertainlyshall。Howisittobeworked？\"
\"She’stohavehertableonaplatform，withrunners，inabowerofevergreenboughs，andbepushedabout，andthepeoplearetoskateupforthetea。Therearetobeteaandchocolate，andtwogirlstopour，justasinreallife。Itisn’taverydazzlingidea，butIthoughtitmightdo;andMrs。Westangleissogood-natured。Now，ifthethermometerwilldoitspart！\"
\"Iamsureitwill，\"Verriansaid，butaglanceatthegrayskydidnotconfirmhiminhispropheticventure。Thesnowwassoddenunderfoot;abreathfromthesouthstirredthepinestoanAeolianresponseandmovedthestiff，dryleavesofthescrub-oaks。Asapsuckerwasmarkinganaccuratecircleofdotsroundthethroatofatallyoungmaple，andenjoyinghisworkinalow，gutturalsoliloquy，seemingly，yet，dismayingly，suggestiveofspring。
\"It’slovely，anyway，\"shesaid，followinghisglancewithanupwardturnofherface。
\"Yes，it’sbeautiful。Ithinkthissortofwinterdayisaboutthebestthewholeyearcando。ButIwillsacrificethechanceofanotherlikeittoyourskating-tea，MissShirley。\"
Hedidnotknowwhyheshouldhavemadethisspeechtoher，butapparentlyshedid，andshesaid，\"You’realwayscomingtomyhelp，Mr。
Verrian。\"
\"Don’tmentionit！\"
\"Iwon’t，then，\"shesaid，withasmilethatshowedherthinfaceatitsthinnestandleftherlipcaughtonherteethtillshebroughtitdownvoluntarily。Itwasasmallbutfulllipandpretty，andthistrickofithadafascination。Sheadded，gravely，\"Idon’tbelieveyouwilllikemyice-tea。\"
\"Ihaven’tanyactivehostilitytoit。Youcan’talwaysbestrikingtwelve——twelvemidnight——asyouwillbeinSeeingGhosts。Butyourice-
teawilldoverywellforstrikingfive。I’mratherelaborate！\"
\"Nottooelaboratetohideyourrealopinion。Iwonderwhatyoudothinkofmyownelaboration——Imeanofmyscheme。\"
\"Yes？\"
Theyhadmovedon，athisturningtowalkwithher，soasnottokeepherstandinginthesnow，andnowshesaid，lookingoverhershoulderathim，\"I’vedecidedthatitwon’tdotolettheghosthavealltheglory。I
don’tthinkitwillbefairtoletthepeoplemerelybescared，evenwhenthey’vebeenwarnedthatthey’retoseeaghostandtolditisn’treal。\"
Sheseemedtoreferthepointtohim，andhesaid，provisionally，\"Idon’tknowwhatmoretheycanask。\"
\"Theycanaskquestions。I’mgoingtoleteachpersonspeaktotheghost，ifnotscareddumb，andaskitjustwhattheyplease;andI’mgoingtoanswertheirquestionsifIcan。\"
\"Won’titbesomethingofanintellectualstrain？\"
\"Yes，itwill。Butitwillbefun，too，alittle，anditwillhelpthethingtogooff。Whatdoyouthink？\"
\"Ithinkit’sfine。Areyougoingtogiveitout，sothattheycanbestudyinguptheirquestions？\"
\"No，theirquestionshavegottobeimpromptu。Or，atleast，thefirstonehas。Ofcourse，aftertheschemehasoncebeengivenaway，theghost-seerswillbemoreorlessprepared，andtheghostwillhavetostandit。\"
\"Ithinkit’sgreat。Areyougoingtoletmehaveachancewithaquestion？\"
\"Areyougoingtoseeaghost？\"
\"TobesureIam。MayIreallyaskitwhatIplease？\"
\"Ifyou’rehonest。\"
\"Oh，Ishallbehonest——\"
Hestoppedbreathlessly，butshedidnotseemcalledupontosupplyanymeaningforhisabruptness。\"I’mawfullygladyouliketheidea，\"shesaid，\"Ihavehadtothinkthewholethingoutformyself，andIhaven’tbeenquitecertainthatthequestion-askingwasn’trathersilly，or，atleast，sillierthantherest。Thankyousomuch，Mr。Verrian。\"
\"I’vethoughtofmyquestion，\"hebeganagain，asabruptlyashehadstoppedbefore。\"MayIaskitnow？\"
Criesoflaughtercameupfromthemeadowbelow，andthevoicesseemedcomingnearer。
\"Oh，Imustn’tbeseen！\"MissShirleylamented。\"Oh，dear！IfI’mseenthewholethingisgivenaway。WhatshallIdo？\"Shewhirledaboutandrandowntheroadtowardsapaththatenteredthewood。
Heranafterher。\"Myquestionis，MayIcometoseeyouwhenyougetbacktotown？\"
\"Yes，certainly。Butdon’tcomenow！Youmustn’tbeseenwithme！I’mnotsupposedtobeinthehouseatall。\"
IfVerrian’spresentmoodhadbeenmoreanalytic，itmighthaveoccurredtohimthattheelementofmysterywhichMissShirleyseemedtocherishinregardtoherselfpersonallywassomethingthatshecoulddramaticallyapplywithpeculiaradvantagetothephantasmalpartshewastotakeinherprojectedentertainment。Buthewasreducedfromtheexerciseofhisanalyticpowerstoapassivityinwhichhewaschieflyconsciousofherpatheticfascination。Thisseemedtoemanatefromherfrailprettinessnolessthanfromthesortoffearfuldaringwithwhichshewaspushingherwholeenterprisethrough;itcameasmuchfromherundecidedblondness——fromherdust-coloredhair，forinstance——asfromtheentreatinglookofherpinchedeyes，onlyjustlightingtheirconvalescentfires，andfromtheweaknessthatshowed，withthegrace，inherrunthroughthewintrywoods，wherehewatchedhertilltheunderbrushthickenedbehindherandhidherfromhim。Altogetherhisimpressionwasverycomplex，buthedidnotgetsofarevenastherealizationofthis，inhismentalturmoil，asheturnedwithadeepsighandwalkedmeditativelyhomewardthroughtheincipientthaw。
Itdidnotrainatnight，asitseemedsolikelytodo，andbymorningthecloudinessoftheskyhadsofarthinnedthatthesunlookedmildlythroughitwithoutmorethansofteningthefrozensurfaceofthepond，sothatMrs。Westangle’sice-tea（aseverybodycalledit，byacommoninspiration，orbywhatevercircuitousadoptionofVerrian’sphrase）cameoffwithgreatsuccess。Peoplefromotherhouseswerethere，andtheyallsaidthattheywonderedhowshecametohavesuchabrilliantidea，andtheykepthertheretillnearlydark。Thentheretardedrainbegan，inafinedrizzle，andherhouseguestswereforcedhomeward，butnottoosoontogetagood，longrestbeforedressingfordinner。Shewaspraisedforherunderstandingwiththeweather，andforhermeteorologicalforecastasmuchasforherinventioninimaginingsuchadelightfulandoriginalthingasanice-tea，whichnooneelsehadeverthoughtof。SomeofthewomenappealedtoVerriantosayifhehadeverheardofanythinglikeit;andtheyfeltthatMrs。Westanglewascertainlyarriving，andbynobeatentrack。
Noneoftheothersputitintheseterms，ofcourse;itwasmerelyaconsensusoffeelingwiththem，andwhatwasmorearticulatewasdroppedamongtheironieswithwhichMissMacroydmoreconfidentiallycelebratedtheevent。Outofhearingoftheothers，inslowlyfollowingthemwithVerrian，sherecurredtotheirtalk。\"Yes，it’sonlyaquestionofmoneyenoughforNewport，afterthis。She’schicnow，andafteraseasonthereshewillbesmart。Butoh，dear！Howcameshetobechic？Canyouimagine？\"
Verriandidnotfeelboundtoacategoricalanswer，andinhisprivatereflectionshedealtwithanotherquestion。ThiswashowfarMissShirleywasculpableinthefraudshewaslettingMrs。Westanglepractiseonherinnocentguests。Itwasadistastefulquestion，andhedidnotfinditmuchmoreagreeablewhenitsubdivideditselfintothequestionofnecessityonherpart，andofanotveryclearlyrealizedsituationonMrs。Westangle’s。Thegirlhadarighttosellherideas，andperhapsthewomanthoughttheywereherownwhenshehadpaidforthem。Therecouldbethatviewofitall。ThefurtivenatureofMissShirley’spresenceinthehousemightverywellbeaconditionofthatgrandeventshewaspreparing。Itwasallverymysterious。
XVII。
Itrainedthroughouttheevening，withawailingofthewindinthegables，andaweepingandasobbingofthewaterfromtheeavesthatMrs。
Westangle’sguests，securelyhousedfromthestorm，madethemostofforweirdness。Therehadbeenalittledancing，whichgavewaytosomuchsitting-outthatthevolunteermusicabruptlyceasedasifindudgeon，andtherewasnothingleftbutweirdnesstobringyoungheartstogether。
Weirdnesscandoagooddealwithgirlslounginginlowchairs，andyoungmenonrugsroundaglowinghearthattheirfeet;andeveryonetoldsomestrangethingthathadhappenedatfirsthand，orsecondorthirdhand，eithertohimselforherself，ortotheirfathersorbrothersorgrandmothersoroldservants。Theywerestimulatedinekingouttheseexperiencesnotonlybythewildnessoftherainwithout，butbythemysteryofbeingshutofffromthelibraryintothedrawing-roomandhallwhilethepreparationsforthefollowingnightwerebeginning。Butweirdnessisnotinexhaustible，evenwhensharedonsuchpropitioustermsbetweenagroupofyoungpeoplerapidlyadvancedinintimacybyaweek’sstayunderthesameroof，andatthefirstyawnagaydispersionofthevotariesendeditall。
TheyawncamefromBushwick，whoboldlyowned，whenhisguiltwasbroughthometohim，thathewassleepy，andthenasheexpectedtobescaredoutofayear’sgrowththenextnight，andnotbeabletosleepforaweekafterwards，hewasnowgoingtobed。HeshookhandswithMrs。Westangleforgood-night。ThelatesttofollowhimwasVerrian，who，strangelyalert，andasfarfromdrowsinessashehadeverknownhimself，wasyetmorerousedbyrealizingthatMrs。Westanglewasnotlettinghishandgoatonce，but，unlessitwasmereabsent-mindedness，wasconveyingthroughitthewishtokeephim。Sheflutteredalittlemorecloselyuptohim，andtwitteredout，\"MissShirleywantsmetoletyouknowthatshehastoldmeaboutyourcomingtogether，andeverything。\"
\"Oh，I’mveryglad，\"Verriansaid，notsurethatitwastherightthing。
\"Idon’tknowwhyshefeelsso，butshehasarighttodoasshepleasesaboutit。She’snotaguest。\"
\"No，\"Verrianassented。
\"Ithappensverywell，though，fortheghost-seeingthatpeopledon’tknowshe’shere。AfterthatIshalltellthem。Infact，shewantsmeto，forshemustbeonthelookoutforotherengagements。IamgoingtodoeverythingIcanforher，andifyouhearofanything——\"
Verrianbowed，withasenseofsomethingoffensiveinherwordswhichhecouldnotlogicallyfeel，sinceitwasamatterofbusinessandwasputsquarelyonabusinessbasis。\"Ishouldbeveryglad，\"hesaid，noncommittally。
\"Shewassurefromthefirst，\"Mrs。Westanglewenton，asifthereweresomerelationbetweenthefactandherrequest，\"thatyouwerenottheactor。Sheknewyouwereawriter。\"
\"Oh，indeed！\"Verriansaid。
\"Ithoughtthatifyouwerewritingforthenewspapersyoumightknowhowtohelpher-\"
\"I’mnotanewspaperwriter，\"Verriananswered，witharesentmentwhichsheseemedtofeel，forshesaid，withasortofapologyinhertone：
\"Oh！Well，Idon’tsupposeitmatters。Shedoesn’tknowI’mspeakingtoyouaboutthat;itjustcameintomyhead。Iliketohelpinaworthyobject，youknow。Ihopeyou’llhaveagoodnight’srest。\"
Sheturnedandlookedroundwiththeairofdistractionwhichshehadafterspeakingtoanyone，andwhichVerrianfanciedcameasmuchfromapaucityasfromamultiplicityofsuggestioninherbrain，andsolefthimstanding。Butshecamebacktosay，\"Ofcourse，it’sallbetweenourselvestillafterto-morrownight，Mr。Verrian。\"
\"Oh，certainly，\"hereplied，andwentvaguelyoffinthedirectionofthebilliard-room。Itwaslightandwarmthere，thoughtheplacewasempty，andhedecideduponacigarasaproximateorimmediatesolution。Hesatsmokingbeforethefiretillthetobacco’ssubstancehadhalfturnedintoawraithofash，andnotreallythinkingofanythingverydefinitely，exceptthequestionwhetherheshouldbeabletosleepafterhewenttobed，whenheheardacreepingsteponthefloor。Heturnedquickly，withacertainexpectanceinhisnerves，andsawnothingmoreghostlythanBushwickstandingatthecornerofthetableandapparentlyhesitatinghowtospeaktohim。
Hesaid，\"Hello！\"andatthisBushwicksaid：
\"Lookhere！\"
\"Well？\"Verrianasked，lookingathim。
\"Howdoesithappenyou’reupsolate，aftereverybodyelseiswrappedinslumber？\"
\"Imightaskthesameofyou。\"
\"Well，IfoundIwasn’tmakingitacaseofsleep，exactly，andsoIgotup。\"
\"Well，Ihadn’tgonetobedformuchthesamereason。Whycouldn’tyousleep？Areal-estatebrokeroughttohaveacleanconscience。\"
\"Sooughtapublisher，forthatmatter。Whatdoyouthinkofthisghost-
dance，anyway？\"
\"Itmightbeamusing——ifitfails。\"Verrianwastemptedtoaddtheconditionbytheopportunityforacynicismwhichhedidnotfeel。Itisoneoftheprivilegesofyouthtobecynical，whetherorno。
Bushwicksatdownbeforethefireandrubbedhisshinswithhistwohandsunrestfully，drawinginalongbreathbetweenhisteeth。\"Thesethingsgetontomynervessometimes。Ishouldn’twanttheghost-dancetofail。\"
\"OnMrs。Westangle’saccount？\"
\"IguessMrs。Westanglecouldstandit。Lookhere！\"Itwasratheracustomaryphraseofhis，Verriannoted。AshenowusedithelookedalertlyroundatVerrian，withhishandsstillonhisshins。\"What’stheuseofourbeatingroundthebush？\"
Verriandelayedhisanswerlongenoughtodecideagainsttheaimlesspunofasking，\"WhatBushwick？\"andmerelyasked，\"Whatbush？\"
\"Thebushwherethemilkinthecocoanutgrows。Youdon’tpretendthatyoubelieveMrs。Westanglehasbeengettingupallthesefairystunts？\"
Verrianreturnedtohiscigar，fromwhichtheashenwraithdroppedintohislap。\"Iguessyou’llhavetobealittleclearer。\"ButasBushwickcontinuedsilentlylookingathim，thethingcouldnotbeleftatthispoint，andhewasobligedtoaskofhisowninitiative，\"Howmuchdoyouknow？\"
Bushwickleanedbackinhischair，withhiseyesstillonVerrian’sprofile。\"AsmuchasMissMacroydcouldtellme。\"
\"Ah，I’mstillinthedark，\"Verrianpolitelyregretted，butnotwithatacitwishtowringMissMacroyd’sneck，whichhewouldnothaveknownhowtoaccountfor。
\"Well，shesaysthatMrs。Westanglehasaprofessionalassistantwho’sdoingthewholejobforher，andthatshecamedownonthesametrainwithherselfandyou。\"
\"Didshesaythatshegrabbedthewholevictoriaforherselfandmaidatthestation？\"Verriandemanded，inaburstofrage，\"andleftustogetherethebestwaywecould？\"
Bushwickgrinned。\"Shesupposedtherewereothercarriages，andwhenshefoundthereweren’tshehurriedthevictoriabackforyou。\"
\"Youthinkshebelievesallthat？I’mgladshehasthedecencytobeashamedofherbehavior。\"
\"I’mnotdefendingher。MissMacroydknowshowtotakecareofherself。\"
Thematterratherdroppedforthemoment，inwhichBushwickfilledapipehetookfromhispocketandlightedit。Afterthefirstfewwhiffshetookitfromhismouth，and，withadrolllookacrossatVerrian，said，\"Whowasyourfairfriend？\"
IfVerrianwasgoingtotalkofthisthing，hewasnotgoingtodoitwiththeburdenofanysortofreserveorcontrivanceonhissoul。\"Thisafternoon？\"Bushwicknodded;andVerrianadded，\"Thatwasshe。\"Thenhewenton，wrathfully：\"She’sagirlwhohastomakeherliving，andshe’sdoingitinanewwaythatshe’sinventedforherself。Shehassupposedthatthestupidrich，orthelazyrich，whowanttoentertainpeoplemaybewillingtopayforideas，andsheproposestosupplytheideasforamoneyconsideration。She’snotaguestinthehouse，andshewon’ttakeherselfonasocietybasisatall。Idon’tknowwhatherhistoryis，andIdon’tcare。She’saladybytraining，and，ifshehadtheaccent，I
shouldsayshewasfromtheSouth，forshehastheenterpriseoftheSouththatcomesNorthandtriestomakeitsliving。It’sallinexpressiblynoneofmybusiness，butIhappentobeknowingtosomuchofthecase，andifyou’reknowingtoanythingelse，Mr。Bushwick，Iwantyoutogetitstraight。That’swhyI’mtalkingofit，andnotbecauseI
thinkyou’veanyrighttoknowanythingaboutit。\"
\"Thankyou，\"Bushwickreturned，unruffled。\"It’saboutwhatMissMacroydtoldme。That’sthereasonIdon’twanttheghost-dancetofail。\"
Verriandidnotnoticehim。Hefounditmoreimportanttosay：\"She’ssoloyaltoMrs。Westanglethatshewouldn’thavewished，inMrs。
Westangle’sinterest，tohaveherpresence，orheragencyinwhatisgoingon，known;but，ofcourse，ifMrs。Westanglechoosesto，tellit，that’sheraffair。\"
\"Shewouldhavehadtotellit，soonerorlater，Mrs。Westanglewould;
andsheonlytoldittoMissMacroydthisafternoononcompulsion，afterMissMacroydandIhadseenyouinthewood-road，andMrs。Westanglehadtoaccountfortheyounglady’spresencethereinyourcompany。ThenMissMacroydhadtotellme;butIassureyou，mydearfellow，thematterhasn’tgoneanyfurther。\"
\"Oh，it’squiteindifferenttome，\"Verrianretorted。\"I’mnothingbutadispassionatewitnessofthesituation。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"Bushwickassented，andthenheadded，withabonhomiereallysoamiablethatamanwithevenanunreasonablegrudgecouldhardlyresistit，\"Ifyoucallitdispassionate。\"
Verriancouldnothelplaughing。\"Well，passionate，then。Idon’tknowwhyitshouldbesoconfoundedlyvexatious。ButsomehowIwouldhavechosenMissMacroyd——Isshyspeciallydeartoyou？\"
\"Nottheleast！\"
\"Iwouldhavechosenherasthelastpersontohavethebusiness，whichissoinexpressiblynoneofmybusiness——\"
\"Ormine，asIthinkyouremarked，\"Bushwickinterposed。
\"Comeoutthrough，\"Verrianconcluded，acceptinghisinterpositionwithabow。
\"Iseewhatyoumean，\"Bushwicksaid，afteramoment’sthought。\"But，really，Idon’tthinkit’slikelytogofurther。Ifyouwanttoknow，IbelieveMissMacroydfeelsthedistinctionofbeinginthesecretsomuchthatshe’llprefertohintroundtillMrs。Westanglegivesthethingaway。Shehadtotellme，becauseIwastherewithherwhenshesawyouwiththeyounglady，tokeepmefromgoingwithmycuriositytoyou。
Come，Idothinkshe’shonestaboutit。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkthey’rerathermoredangerouswhenthey’rehonest？\"
\"Well，onlywhenthey’reobligedtobe。Cheerup！Idon’tbelieveMissMacroydisonetospoilsport。\"
\"Oh，IthinkIshalllivethroughit，\"Verriansaid，ratherstiffeningagain。Butherelaxed，inrisingfromhischair，andsaid，\"Well，good-
night，oldfellow。IbelieveIshallgotobednow。\"
\"Youwon’twaitformetillmypipe’sout？\"
\"No，Ithinknot。Iseemtobejustmakingit，andifIwaitedImightlosemygrip。\"HeofferedBushwickafriendlyhand。
\"Doyousupposeit’sbeenmysoothingconversation？I’mliketheactorthatthedoctoradvisedtogoandseehimselfact。Ican’ttalkmyselfsleepy。\"
\"Youmighttryit，\"Verriansaid，goingout。
XVIII。
ThemenwhohadtalkedofgoingawayonThursdayseemedtohavefounditpracticabletostay。Atanyrate，theywereallthereontheSaturdaynightfortheghost-seeing，and，ofcourse，noneofthewomenhadgone。
Whatwasmoreremarkable，inahouseratherfullofgirls，nobodywassick;or，atleast，everybodywaswellenoughtobeatdinner，and，afterdinner，atthedance，whichimpatiently，ifalittleironically，precededthesupernaturalpartoftheevening’samusement。ItwasthedecorumofawomanwhomighthavebeenexpectednottohaveitthatMrs。Westanglehadarrangedthattheevening’samusementshouldnotpasstheboundbetweenSaturdaynightandSundaymorning。Thesupperwastobelater，butthatwaslikeothereatinganddrinkingontheSabbath;anditwastobeacoldsupper。
Athalf-pasttenthedancingstoppedinthefoyerandthedrawing-room，andbyeleventheguestswereallseatedfrontingthecloseddoorsofthelibrary。Therewerenotsomanyofthembutthatinthehandsomespacetherewasintervalenoughtolendadesireddistancetotheapparitions;
andwhenthedoorswereslidasideitwasapplausivelyfoundthattherewasaveilofgauzefallingfromtherooftothefloor，whichpromiseditsaidinheighteningthecomingmystery。Thiswasagainheightenedbytheuniversalignoranceastohowtheapparitionsweretomaketheiradventsandonwhatterms。
ItwaswithanaccessofacertainnervousanxietythatVerrianfoundhimselfnextMissMacroyd，whosefrankgood-fellowshipfirstexpresseditselfinapleasureatthechancewhichhedidnotshare，andthenextendedtoaconfidentialsympathyforthesuccessoftheenterprisewhichhedidnotbelieveshefelt。Shelaughed，but’sottovoce’，inbendingherheadclosetohisandwhispering，\"Ihopeshe’llbeequaltoher’miseenscene’。It’sreallyverynice。Sosimple。\"Besidesthegauzeveil，therewasnopreparationexceptinthestretchofblackdraperywhichhidthebook-shelvesatthefartherwallofthelibrary。
\"Mrs。Westangle’snoteisalwayssimplicity，\"Verrianreturned。
\"Ohyes，indeed！AndyouwishtokeepuptheWestangleconvention？\"
\"Idon’tseeanyreasonfordroppingit。\"
\"Oh，noneintheworld，\"shemocked。
Hedeterminedtopushher，sinceshehadtriedtopushhim，andheasked，\"Whatreasoncouldtherebe？\"
\"Now，Mr。Verrian，askingawomanforareason！Ishallbegintothinksomeoneelsewroteyourbook，too！Perhapsshe’lltakeupsupplyingideastoauthorsaswellashostesses。Ofcourse，ImeanMrs。
Westangle。\"
VerrianwishedhehadnottriedtopushMissMacroyd，andhewasstillgrindinghisteethinavainendeavortogetoutsomefitretortbetweenthem，whenhesawBushwickshufflingtohisfeet，inthefrontrowofthespectators，andheardhimbeginningasortofspeech。
\"Ladiesandgentlemen：Mrs。Westanglehaschosenme，becauseareal-
estatebrokerissometimesanauctioneer，andmaybesupposedtohavethegiftoforatory，tomakeknowntheconditionsonwhichyoumayinterviewtheghostswhichyouaregoingtosee。Anybodymaydoitwhowillcomplywiththeconditions。Inthefirstplace，youhavegottobeserious，andtothinkupsomethingthatyouwouldreallyliketoknowaboutyourpast，present，orfuture。Remember，thisisnojokingmatter，andtheonlydifferencebetweentheghostthatyouwillseehereandarealmaterializationunderprofessionalauspicesisthattheghostwon’tchargeyouanything。Ofcourse，ifanyladyorgentleman——especiallylady——wishestocontributetoanycharitableobject，afterasatisfactoryinterviewwiththeghost，ahatwillbefoundatthehall-doorforthepurpose，andMrs。Westanglewillchoosetheobject：Ihaveputinaspecialpleaformyownfirm，ataseasonwhenthereal-estatebusinessisnotatitsbest。\"BythistimeBushwickhadhisaudiencelaughing，perhapsthemoreeasilybecausetheywereallmoreorlessinahystericalmood，which，whetherweownitornot，isalwaysinducedbyanapproximationtothesupernatural。Hefrownedandsaid，\"NOlaughing！\"
andthentheylaughedthemore。Whenhehadwaitedforthemtobequiethewentongravely，\"Theconditionsaresimplythese：Eachpersonwhochoosesmayinterviewtheghost，keepingarespectfuldistance，butnotsofaroffbutthattheghostcandistinctlyhearastagewhisper。Thequestionputmustbeseriouslymeant，anditmustbethequestionwhichthequestionerwouldprefertohaveansweredaboveeverythingelseatthetimebeing。Certainquestionswillbeabsolutelyruledout，suchas，’DoesMarialoveme？’or，’HasReubeneverbeenengagedbefore？’Thelaughterinterruptedthespeakeragain，andVerrianhunghisheadinrageandshame;thisstupidasswasspoilingthehopeofanythingbeautifulinthespectacleandturningitintoagrossburlesque。Somehowhefeltthatthegirlwhohadinventedithadmeant，inthelastanalysis，somethingserious，anditwasinherbehalfthathewouldhavelikedtochokeBushwick。AllthetimehebelievedthatMissMacroyd，whoselaughsoundedabovetheothers，wassomehowenjoyinghisindignationanddiviningitsreason。
\"Otherquestions，touchingintemperanceordivorce，thequestionerwillfeelmustnotbeasked;thoughitisn’tnecessarytomorethansuggestthis，Ihope;itwillbeleftentirelytothegoodtasteandgoodfeelingofthe——party。WeallknowwhatthetemptationsofSouthDakotaandtherumfiendare，andthattoerrishuman，andforgivedivine。\"Hepaused，havingfailedtogetalaugh，butgotitbyasking，confidentially，\"WherewasI？Oh！\"——hecaughthimselfup——\"Iremember。Thoseofyouwhoareinthehabitofseeingghostsneednotbetoldthataghostneverspeaksfirst;andthosewhohavenevermetanapparitionbefore，butareinthehabitofgoingtothetheatre，willrecallthefactthatinW。
Shakespeare’sbeautifulplayof’Hamlet’theplaycouldnothavegoneonafterthefirstsceneifHoratiohadnotspokentotheghostofHamlet’sfatherandtakenthechancesofbeingsnubbed。Heretherearenochancesofthatkind;thechancesarethatyou’llwishtheghosthadnotbeenentreated：Ithinkthatisthephrase。\"
InthelaughthatfollowedagirlonMissMacroyd’sotherhandaudiblyaskedher，\"Oh，isn’thetoofunny？\"
\"Delicious！\"MissMacroydagreed。Verrianfeltshesaidittovexhim，。
\"Now，there’sjustoneotherpoint，\"Bushwickresumed，\"andthenIhavedone。Onlyonequestioncanbeallowedtoeachperson，butifthequestionerisaladyshecanaskaquestionandahalf，providedsheisnotsatisfiedwiththeanswer。Inthiscase，however，shewillonlygethalfananswer。NowIhavedone，andifmyargumentshaveconvincedanyonewithinthesoundofmyvoicethatourghostreallymeansbusiness，Ishallfeelfullyrepaidforthepainsandexpenseofgettingupthesefewimprompturemarks，towhichIhaveendeavoredtogiveahumorouscharacter，inorderthatyoumayalllaughyourlaughout，andnounseemlymirthmayinterruptthesubsequentproceedings。Wewillnowhavealittlemusic，andthosewhocanrecallmywordswillbeallowedtosingthem。\"
Inthegigglingandchatterwhichensuedthechordssoftlyplayedpassedintoearsthatmightaswellhavebeendeaf;butatlasttherewasageneralquiescenceofexpectation，inwhicheveryone’seyeswerestrainedtopiercethroughthegauzecurtaintothesombredraperybeyond。Thewaitwassolongthatthetensionrelaxedandawhisperingbegan，andVerrianfeltasicknessofpityforthegirlwhowasprobablygoingtomakeafailureofit。Heaskedhimselfwhatcouldhavehappenedtoher。Hadshelostcourage？Orhadherphysicalstrength，notyetfullyrenewed，givenwayunderthestress？Orhadshe，insheerdisgustfortheturntheaffairhadbeengivenbythatbruteBushwick，thrownupthewholebusiness？HelookedroundforMrs。Westangle;shewasnotthere;heconjectured——hecouldonlyconjecture——thatshewasabsentconferringwithMissShirleyandtryingtosavetheday。
Along，deeplysighed\"Oh-h-h-h！\"shudderingfrommanylipsmadehimturnabruptly，andhesaw，glimmeringagainstthepallatthebottomofthedarkenedlibrary，afigurevaguelywhite，inwhichherecognizedapose，agesturefamiliartohim。FortheothersthefigurewasIt，butforhimitwaspreciouslyShe。Itwasshe，andshewasgoingtocarryitthrough;shewasgoingtotriumph，andnotfail。Alumpcameintohis96
throat，andamistblurredhiseyes，which，whenitclearedagain，lefthimstaringatnothing。
Agirl’syoungvoiceutteredthecommonfeeling，\"Why，isthatall？\"
\"Itis，tillsomeoneaskstheghostaquestion;thenitwillreappear，\"
Bushwickrosetosay。\"WillMissAndrewskindlystepforwardandaskthequestionnearestherheart？\"
\"Ohno！\"thegirlanswered，withasinceritythatleftnoonequitefreetolaugh。
\"Someotherlady，then？\"Bushwicksuggested。Noonemoved，andheadded，\"Thisisadifficultywhichhadbeenforeseen。Somegentlemanwillstepforwardandputthequestionnexthisheart。\"Againnooneofferedtogoforward，andtherewassomemutedlaughter，whichBushwickchecked。
\"Thisdifficultyhadbeenforeseen，too。IseethatIshallhavetomakethefirstmove，andallthatIshallrequireoftheaudienceisthatI
shallnotbesupposedtobeincollusionwiththeillusion。Ihopethataftermyexperience，whateveritis，someyoungwomanofcouragewillfollow。\"
Hepassedintothefoyer，andfromthatcameintothelibrary，whereheshowedagainstthedarkbackgroundinanattitudeofentreatyslightlyburlesqued。Theghostreappeared。
\"ShallImarrythewomanIamthinkingof？\"heasked。
Thephantomseemedtohesitate;itwaveredlikeapalereflectioncastagainstthepall。Then，inthetoneswhichVerrianknew，theanswercame：
\"Askher。Shewilltellyou。\"
Thephantomhadscoredahit，andtheapplausewassilencedwithdifficulty;butVerrianfeltthatMissShirleyhadlostground。Itcouldnothavebeenfortheeasyclevernessofsucharetortthatshehadplannedtheaffair。Yet，whynot？Hewastakingittooseriously。Itwasmerelybusinesswithher。
\"AndIhaven’teventherighttohalfaquestionmore！\"Bushwicklamented，inadramatizeddejection，andcrossedslowlybackfromthelibrarytohisplace。
\"Why，haven’tyougotenough？\"oneofthemenasked，amidstthegayclamorofthewomen。
Theghostwasgoneagain，anditsevanescencewasdiscussedwithreadywonder。Anotherofthemenwentroundtotempthisfate，andthephantomsuddenlyreappearedsonearhimthathegotalaughbyhisstartofdismay。\"IforgotwhatIwasgoingtoask，hefaltered。
\"Iknowwhatitwas，\"theapparitionanswered。\"Youhadbettersell。\"
\"Buttheysayitwillgotoahundred！\"themanprotested。
\"Noback——talk，Rogers！\"Bushwickinterposed。\"Thatwastheunderstanding。
\"Butwedidn’tunderstand，\"oneofthegirlssaid，comingtotherescue，\"thattheghostwasgoingtoanswerquestionsthatwerenotasked。Thatwouldgiveusallaway。\"
\"Thentheonlythingisforyoutogoandaskbeforeitgetsachancetoanswer，\"Bushwicksaid。
\"Well，Iwill，\"thegirlreturned。Andshesweptroundintothelibrary，wheresheencounteredthephantomwithalittlewhoopasitstartedintosightbeforeher。\"I’mnotgoingtobescaredoutofit！\"shesaid，defiantly。\"It’ssimplythis：DidthepersonIsuspectreallytakethering。\"
Theanswercame，\"Lookonthefloorunderyourdressing-table！\"
\"Well，ifIfinditthere，\"thegirladdressedthecompany，\"I’maspiritualistfromthistimeforth。\"Andshecamebacktoherplace，wheresheremainedforsometimeexplainingtothosenearhowshehadlatelylostherringandsuspectedhermaid，whomshehaddismissed。
Uponthewhole，theeffectwasserious。Thewomen，havingoncestarted，needednomoreurging。Oneafteranothertheyconfrontedandquestionedtheoraclewithincreasingsincerity。
MissMacroydaskedVerrian，\"Hadn’tyoubettertakeyourchanceandstopthisflowoffatuity，Mr。Verrian？\"
\"I’mafraidIshouldbefatuous，too，\"hesaid。\"Butyou？\"
\"Oh，thankyou，Idon’tbelieveinghosts，thoughthisseemstobeaveryprettyone——verygraceful，Imean。Isupposeagracefulwomanwouldbegracefulevenwhenadisembodiedspirit。Ishouldthinkshewouldbegettingalittletriedwithallthisquestioning;butperhapswe’reonlyreadingthefatigueintoher。Theghostmaybemerelyoverdone。\"
\"Itmighteasilybethat，\"Verrianassented。
\"Oh，mayIaskitsomethingnow？\"agirl’svoiceappealedtoBushwick。
ItwasthevoiceofthatMissAndrewswhohadspokenfirst，andfirstrefusedtoquestiontheghost。ShewastheyoungestofMrs。Westangle’sguests，andVerrianhadlikedher，withasenseofsomethingpreciousintheprolongationofachild’sunconsciousnessintotheconsciousnessofgirlhoodwhichhefoundinher。Shewasalwayslikelierthannottosaythethingshethoughtandfelt，whetheritwassillyandabsurd，orwhether，asalsohappened，therewasatouchofinspiredsignificanceinit，asthereisapttobeinthetalkofchildren。Shewaslaughedat，butshewasliked，andthefreshnessofhersoulwaspleasanttothegirlswhowereputtingontheworldashardastheycould。Shecouldbetrustedtodoandsaytheunexpected。Butshewasconsideredalittlemorbid，andcertainlyshehadanexaltationofthenervesthatwasattimesalmostbeyondhercontrol。
\"Oh，dear！\"MissMacroydwhispered。\"Whatisthatstrangesimpletongoingtodo，Iwonder？\"
Verriandidnotfeelobligedtoansweraquestionnotaddressedtohim，buthe，too，wonderedanddoubted。
Thegirl，havinggothercouragetogether，flutteredwithitfromherplaceroundtotheghost’sinahastethatexpressedafearthatitmightescapeherifshedelayedtoputittothetest。Thephantomwasalreadythere，asifithadwaitedherinthecuriositythatfollowedher。Theyweretakingeachotherseriously，thegirlandtheghost，andiftheghosthadbeenaveridicalphantom，inwhichshecouldhavebelievedwithherwholesoul，thegirlcouldnothaveentreateditmoreearnestly，moresimply。
Shebentforward，inherslim，tallfigure，withherhandsoutstretched，andwithhertendervoicebreakingattimesinherentreaty。\"Oh，I
don’tknowhowtobegin，\"shesaid，quiteasifsheandthephantomwerealonetogether，andshehadforgottenitssupernaturalawfulnessinasenseofitshumanquality。\"Butyouwillunderstand，won’tyou！You’llthinkitverystrange，anditisveryunliketheothers;butifI’mgoingtobeserious——\"
Thewhitefigurestoodmotionless;butVerrianinterpreteditsquietasakindlyintelligence，andthegirlmadeafreshstartinanotealittlemorepiteousthanbefore。\"It’saboutthe——thetruth。Doyouthinkifsometimeswedon’ttellitexactly，butwewishwehadvery，verymuch，itwillcomeroundsomehowthesameasifwehadtoldit？\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"thephantomanswered。\"Sayitagain——ordifferently。\"
\"Canourrepentanceundoit，ormakethefalsehoodoverintothetruth？\"
\"Never！\"theghostanswered，withapassionthatthrilledtoVerrian’sheart。
\"Oh，dear！\"thegirlsaid;andthen，asifshehadbeengoingtocontinue，shestopped。
\"You’vestillgotyourhalf-question，MissAndrews，\"Bushwickinterposed。
\"Evenifwedidn’tmeanittodeceiveharmfully？\"thegirlpursued。
\"Ifitwasjustonimpulse，somethingwecouldn’tseemtohelp，andwedidn’tseeitinitstruelightatthetime——\"
Theghostmadenoanswer。Itstoodmotionless。
\"Itisoffended，\"Bushwicksaid，withoutknowingtheShakespearianwords。
\"You’veaskeditthreetimeshalfaquestion，MissAndrews。Now，Mr。
Verrian，it’syourturn。Youcanaskitjustone-quarterofaquestion。
MissAndrewshasuseduptherestofyourshare。\"
Verrianroseawkwardlyandstoodalongmomentbeforehischair。Thenhedroppedbackagain，saying，dryly，\"Idon’tthinkIwanttoaskitanything。\"
Thephantomsankstraightdownasifsinkingthroughthefloor，butlaytherelikeawhiteshawltrailedalongthebottomofthedarkcurtain。
\"Andisthatall？\"MissMacroydaskedVerrian。\"Iwasjustgettingupmycouragetogoforward。Butnow，Isuppose——\"
\"Oh，dear！\"MissAndrewscalledout。\"Perhapsit’sfainted。Hadn’twebetter——\"
Therewereformlesscriesfromthewomen，andthemenmadeacrookedrushforward，inwhichVerriandidnotjoin。Heremainedwherehehadrisen，withMissMacroydbesidehim。
\"Perhapsit’sonlyacoupdetheatre！\"shesaid，withherlaugh。\"Betterwait。\"
Bushwickwasgatheringtheprostratefigureup。\"Shehasfainted！\"hecalled。\"Getsomewater，somebody！\"