There was a pause. I was thinking of Carlotta's "luck for two." Poor Carlotta! She looked worn now. Especially her chin looked worn, showing the edge of the jaw. She had sat herself down in a chair by the fire, and put her feet on the stone fender, and was leaning forward, screening her face with her hand, still careful of her complexion. I could see her broad, white shoulders, showing the shoulder-blades, as she leaned forward, beneath her dress. But it was as if some bitterness had soaked all the life out of her, and she was only weary, or inert, drained of her feelings. It grieved me, and the thought passed through my mind that a man should take her in his arms and cherish her body, and start her flame again. If she would let him, which was doubtful. Her courage was fallen, in her body; only her spirit fought on. She would have to restore the body of her life, and only a living body could do it. "What _about_ your ghost?" I said to him. "Is she really ghastly?" "Not at all!" he said. "She's supposed to be lovely. But I have no experience, and I don't know anybody who has. We hoped you'd come, though, and tempt her. Mother had a message about you, you know." "No, I didn't know." "Oh, yes! When you were still in Africa. The medium said: 'There is a man in Africa. I can only see M, a double M. He is thinking of your family. It would be good if he entered your family.' Mother was awfully puzzled, but Carlotta said 'Mark Morier' at once." "That's not why I asked you down," said Carlotta quickly, looking round, shading her eyes with her hand as she looked at me. I laughed, saying nothing. "But, of course," continued Lord Lathkill, "you _needn't_ have this room. We have another one ready as well. Would you like to see it?" "How does your ghost manifest herself?" I said, parrying. "Well, I hardly know. She seems to be a very grateful _presence_, and that's about all I do know. She was apparently quite _persona grata_ to everyone she visited. Gratissima, apparently!" "_Benissimo_!" said I. A servant appeared in the doorway, murmuring something I could not hear. Everybody in the house, except Carlotta and Lord Lathkill, seemed to murmur under their breath. "What's she say?" I asked. "If you will stay in this room? I told her you might like a room on the front. And if you'll take a bath?" said Carlotta. "Yes!" said I. And Carlotta repeated to the maid-servant. "And for heaven's sake speak to me loudly," said I to that elderly correct female in her starched collar, in the doorway. "Very good, sir!" she piped up. "And shall I make the bath hot, or medium?" "Hot!" said I, like a cannon-shot. "Very good, sir!" she piped up again, and her elderly eyes twinkled as she turned and disappeared. Carlotta laughed, and I sighed.