"Why, child, is it you or your ghost?"
Nancy could only nod her head.
"My suz! what ails the child?"
Here the other managed a shake of the head and a made smile.
"And of all things!—you'll never, never, never guess!——"
"There—there!—yes, yes—yes! I know—know all about it—knew it—knew it last night——"
She had put out a hand toward Clytie and now reached the other from her side, easing herself to the doorpost against which she leaned and laughed, weakly, vacantly.
"Some one told you—on the way up?"
"Yes—I knew it, I tell you—that's what makes it so funny and foolish—why I came, you know——" She had now gained a little in coherence, and with it came a final doubt. She steadied herself in the doorway to ask—"When did Bernal come?"
And Clytie, somewhat relieved, became voluble.