And, after all, would the ghost appear? At the best, she might not come; at the very worst, she would be but a ghost; and he could say with Hamlet—
“for my soul, what can it do to that,
Being a thing as immortal as itself?”
But then, his jealousy having for the moment intermitted, Hugh was not able to say with Hamlet—
“I do not set my life at a pin’s fee;”
and that had much to do with Hamlet’s courage in the affair of the ghost.
He walked up and down the avenue, till, beginning to feel the night chilly, he began to feel the avenue eerie; for cold is very antagonistic to physical courage. But what refuge would he find in the ghost’s room?
He returned to the drawing-room. Von Funkelstein and Euphra were there alone, but in no proximity. Mr. Arnold soon entered.
“Shall I have the bed prepared for you, Mr. Sutherland?” said Euphra.
“Which of your maids will you persuade to that office?” said Mr. Arnold, with a facetious expression.
“I must do it myself,” answered Euphra, “if Mr. Sutherland persists.”