"Ghosts," she repeated. "Do you believe that the dead come again?"
"When I see any ghosts I will tell you whether I believe in them or not," I said, jokingly. "Up to the present time it has not been my good fortune to fall in with any."
"It is said," she proceeded, looking round with caution, "that a ghost haunts Chandos. Have you not seen any strange sights?"
"No, indeed. It would very much astonish me to see such—if by 'strange sights' you mean ghosts."
"I saw one once," she said.
"Mrs. Penn!"
"A lady died in a house where I was staying; died almost suddenly. If ever I saw anything in my life, I saw her after she was in her grave. You look at me with incredulity."
"I cannot fancy that a real genuine ghost was ever seen. I am aware that strange tales are told—and believed: but I think they are but tales of the imagination."
"In speaking of strange tales do you allude to Chandos?"
"Certainly not. I spoke of the world in general."