Here, as the Baronet smoked in his homely little "hut," as he termed it, after his guests had dispersed to their bed-rooms, the Rev. Dives Marlowe that night knocked at the door, crying, "May I come in, Jekyl?" "Certainly, dear Dives." "You really mean it?" "Never was parson so welcome." "By Jove!" said the Rector, "it's later than I thought--you're sure I don't bore you." "Not sure, but you _may_, Dives," said Sir Jekyl, observing his countenance, which was not quite pleasant. "Come in, and say your say. Have a weed, old boy?" "Well, well--a--we're alone. I don't mind--I don't generally--not that there's any harm; but some people, very good people, object--the weaker brethren, you know." "Consummate asses, we call them; but weaker brethren, as you say, does as well." The Rector was choosing and sniffing out a cigar to his heart's content. "Milk for babes, you know," said the Rector, making his preparations. "Strong meats--" "And strong cigars; but you'll find these as mild as you please. Here's a match." The Rector sat down, with one foot on the fender, and puffed away steadily, looking into the fire; and his brother, at the opposite angle of the fender, employed himself similarly. "Fine old soldier, General Lennox," said the cleric, at last. "What stay does he make with you?" "As long as he pleases. Why?" said Sir Jekyl. "Only he said something to-night in the drawing-room about having to go up to town to attend a Board of the East India Directors," answered the parson. "Oh, did he?" "And I think he said the day after to-morrow. I thought he told you, perhaps." "Upon my life I can't say--perhaps he did," said Sir Jekyl, carelessly. "Lennox is a wonderful fine old fellow, as you say, but a little bit slow, you know; and his going or staying would not make very much difference to me." "I thought he told his story pretty well at dinner--that haunted room and the cobra, you remember," said the Rector. The Baronet grunted an assent, and nodded, without removing his cigar. The brothers conducted their conversation, not looking on one another, but each steadily into the grate. "And, apropos of haunted rooms, Lady Jane mentioned they are in the green chamber," continued the Rector. "Did she? I forgot--so they are, I think," answered the Baronet. Here they puffed away in silence for some time. "You know, Jekyl, about that room? Poor Amy, when she was dying, made you promise--and you did promise, you know--and she got me to promise to remind you to shut it up; and then, you know, my father wished the same," said the Rector. "Come, Dives, my boy, somebody has been poking you up about this. You have been hearing from my old mother-in-law, or talking to her, the goosey old shrew!"