“Well, gentlemen,” interposed Mr. Arnold at last, “you might have left a corner for me somewhere. Without my permission you will hardly settle your wager.”
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Arnold,” said Funkelstein. “We got rather excited over it, and forgot our manners. But I am quite willing to give it up, if Mr. Sutherland will.”
“Not I,” said Hugh;—“that is, of course, if Mr. Arnold has no objection.”
“Of course not. My house, ghost and all, is at your service, gentlemen,” responded Mr. Arnold, rising.
They went to the drawing-room. Mr. Arnold, strange to say, was in a good humour. He walked up to Mrs. Elton, and said:
“These wicked men have been betting, Mrs. Elton.”
“I am surprised they should be so silly,” said she, with a smile, taking it as a joke.
“What have they been betting about?” said Euphra, coming up to her uncle.
“Herr von Funkelstein has laid a hundred guineas that Mr. Sutherland will not sleep in Lady Euphrasia’s room to-night.”
Euphra turned pale.