"Nay—I assure you—I—I do not so," she stammered, trembling with eagerness. "Why, wherefore should I tremble."
"Nay, I know not, madame. Save as the poet saith—'A guilty conscience——'"
"I thank you for the suggestion, sir," she answered with a faint smile. "I will consult my conscience."
There was a pause, the silence broken only by the distant movements of the searchers.
"Is there a ghost in the room, madame," asked Captain Protheroe suddenly.
Barbara started violently.
"A ghost, sir?" she exclaimed.
"Aye, a ghost. I saw you staring at the wall behind me with so horrified an expression, methought you beheld an apparition at least, peeping over my shoulder."
Barbara dropped her head and bit her lip.
"'Twas but my own thoughts. There is nothing else."