“Like a—somnambulist,” answered Hugh, choosing the word for its intensity. “I slept so sound that I woke quite early.”
“I am glad to hear it. But it is nearly time for breakfast, for which ceremony I am myself hardly in trim yet.”
So saying, Funkelstein turned, and walked away with some precipitation. What occasioned Hugh a little surprise; was, that he did not ask him one question more as to how he had passed the night. He had, of course, slept in the house, seeing he presented himself in deshabille.
Hugh hastened to his own room, where, under the anti-ghostial influences of the bath, he made up his mind not to say a word about the apparition to any one.
“Well, Mr. Sutherland, how have you spent the night?” said Mr. Arnold, greeting him.
“I slept with profound stupidity,” answered Hugh; “a stupidity, in fact, quite worthy of the folly of the preceding wager.”
This was true, as relating to the time during which he had slept, but was, of course, false in the impression it gave.
“Bravo!” exclaimed Mr. Arnold, with an unwonted impulsiveness. “The best mood, I consider, in which to meet such creations of other people’s brains! And you positively passed a pleasant night in the awful chamber? That is something to tell Euphra. But she is not down yet. You have restored the character of my house, Mr. Sutherland; and next to his own character, a man ought to care for that of his house. I am greatly in your debt, sir.”
At this moment, Euphra’s maid brought the message, that her mistress was sorry she was unable to appear at breakfast.
Mrs. Elton took her place.