"Not at all!" he said. "She's supposed to be lovely. But I have no experience, and I don't know anybody who has. We hoped you'd come, though, and tempt her. Mother had a message about you, you know."
"No, I didn't know."
"Oh, yes! When you were still in Africa. The medium said: 'There is a man in Africa. I can only see M, a double M. He is thinking of your family. It would be good if he entered your family.' Mother was awfully puzzled, but Carlotta said 'Mark Morier' at once."
"That's not why I asked you down," said Carlotta quickly, looking round, shading her eyes with her hand as she looked at me.
I laughed, saying nothing.
"But, of course," continued Lord Lathkill, "you needn't have this room. We have another one ready as well. Would you like to see it?"
"How does your ghost manifest herself?" I said, parrying.
"Well, I hardly know. She seems to be a very grateful presence, and that's about all I do know. She was apparently quite persona grata to everyone she visited. Gratissima, apparently!"
"Benissimo!" said I.
A servant appeared in the doorway, murmuring something I could not hear. Everybody in the house, except Carlotta and Lord Lathkill, seemed to murmur under their breath.