"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！"
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