'I
don't mean frighten in any awful sense--in fact, I did not mean frighten
at all. I meant--I can't exactly express it--anything to vex, or make you
uncomfortable; have you?'
'No, I can't say I have, except that room in which Mr. Charke was found
dead.'
'Oh! you saw that, did you?--I should like to see it so much. Your bedroom
is not near it?'
'Oh, no; on the floor beneath, and looking to the front. And Doctor Bryerly
talked a little to me, and there seemed to be something on his mind more
than he chose to tell me; so that for some time after I saw him I really
was, as you say, frightened; but, except that, I really have had no cause.
And what was in your mind when you asked me?'
'Well, you know, Maud, you are afraid of ghosts, banditti, and
_every_thing; and I wished to know whether you were uncomfortable, and what
your particular bogle was just now--that, I assure you, was all; and I
know,' she continued, suddenly changing her light tone and manner for one
of pointed entreaty, 'what Doctor Bryerly said; and I _implore_ of you,
Maud, to think of it seriously; and when you come to me, you shall do so
with the intention of remaining at Elverston.
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