Alexander questioned her as to the hour of its appearance.
“It was at two o’clock on the first night. And at one o’clock on the second night,” she answered.
“Exactly; and if it keeps on coming an hour later each night, it will appear at twelve precisely to-night. And it now wants just ten minutes to that time,” said Alexander, with a laugh.
Then he questioned her as to her thoughts, feelings and occupations at the time she saw the face.
Drusilla replied that she was reading, and confessed that she was thinking of supernatural beings and feeling a little afraid of looking over her shoulder.
“Precisely; and now let me ask you what were you reading?”
“I had been reading ‘The Night Side of Nature,’” replied Drusilla.
“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Alexander, “the secret is out! The face at the window was an optical illusion created by your over-excited imagination. Next time, my little love, read Scott’s ‘Demonology.’ It will be a perfect antidote to the ‘Night Side of Nature.’ I don’t wonder, poor child! that you were afraid to look over your shoulder, or that you saw faces glaring at you through dark windows. I wonder you didn’t see a spectral face grinning through every single pane of glass. Ha! ha! ha!”
“Ha! ha! ha!” echoed another voice—a strange, harsh, unearthly voice.
Alexander started and looked at his companion, who was pale as death.