A few nights after, as Pedro was attending his master, when he was going to bed, he determined to make one more effort to discover the whole story, and try whether he could not prevail on the Baron to entrust him with a secret he would have given some part of his wages to find out. He opened this important business as follows. "I shall be heartily glad, my lord, when we get from this castle, and return to your own." "Why so? (inquired his master:)--my friend, Sir Philip, is very hospitable, and his family infinitely charming." "Yes, yes, I dare say, my lord, in your opinion the young ladies are charming creatures, and I fancy they are not a whit less pleased with your lordship." "Do you think so, Pedro? (said the Baron, in one of his most harmonious tones, his pride and self-love being gratified by his servant's observation.)--Why, indeed, I had never much reason to complain of the ladies' coolness." "It would certainly be surprising if you had, my lord. A man of your rank, fortune, and figure, is not very likely to meet with coldness; it is only such a poor ugly dog as I am that must expect to be frowned upon by the women." "Oh! then, Pedro, (said the Baron smiling,) a disappointment in love makes you wish to quit this place." "No, my lord. I complain of nothing in the day; _that_ generally passes off very well; but, in the night, there are so many cursed ghosts clattering about, with such confounded nosies at their heels, both within and without doors, that a man can neither sleep nor move with comfort or security." "Psha! (replied the Baron,) let me hear of no such idle and improbable tales.--I did not suppose you so great a fool or so dastardly a coward as to mind the nonsense of women and children." "As to that, (said Pedro, nettled by the contemptuous manner of the Baron, and the epithet of coward,) I have as much courage as most men among _men_; but, when I am forced to mix with ghosts and evil spirits, I want a little spice of the courage with which your lordship is so bountifully endowed. I dare say, my lord, you never saw a ghost, and were never frightened either by the living or the dead." "What should I be frightened at? (cried the Baron impatiently;) let me hear no more such impertinent nonsense." "I hope (muttered Pedro) the next time they come, they will pay you another visit. It is an honour due to your dignity, and we servants can very well dispense with their company;" but this was said in so low a voice, as he shut the door, that it was impossible to be understood by the imperious master to whom it was addressed. "As much a coward as I am, (continued he, as he went along,) I was never frightened into a fit as some folks have been with all their boasted courage and great knowledge."