"No: nor found any trace whatever. We have lost nothing; and there is really not a door or window that seems ever to have been touched: not an opening where any one could get in or out." "And if there were, what could be the object? What does your daughter say to it?" "Oh!" said Mrs. Wharton, rising quickly, "she does not, and indeed she must not know a word of it. I ought to have said, at first, that what I am telling you is entirely in confidence. If I told my daughter, it must then go no further. We could not keep our servants a week, if it got out. And if I should want to let my house, I could not find a tenant. The value of the property would go down to nothing; and, in justice to my daughter, I must consider that; for it is to be hers hereafter. And we could never have a guest to stay with us. No one would sleep in the house a single night. Indeed, you must not--" "Well, well: I will not mention it. But I don't see--" He paused; and Mrs. Wharton replied to his thought. "It is difficult to form conjectures--to say any thing, in such a case, which does not appear too foolish to be uttered. But one must have some thoughts; and perhaps--if one can talk of possibilities--it is possible that this appearance may be meant for me alone; and therefore, if I can conceal it from my daughter ... till I am convinced whether it is meant for me alone." "I would soon try that," observed Mr. Gurney. Seeing Mrs. Wharton look wistfully at him, he continued, "My advice is that you have your daughter sleep with you, after hearing your story. Try whether she can see this face." "You do not think she would?" "I think she would not. My dear friend, if I were a medical man, I could tell you facts which you are little aware of--anecdotes of the strange tricks that our nerves play with us;--of delusions so like reality--" "Do you think I have not considered that?" exclaimed the poor lady. "Mr. Gurney, I did not think that _you_ would try to persuade me out of my senses, when I tell you, that four times I have seen in daylight, and when wide awake, and in perfect health, what I have said." Mr. Gurney was very gentle; but, as he said, what _could_ he suggest but indigestion, or some such cause of nervous disturbance? Yet his heart smote him when his old friend laid her forehead again the mantle-piece, and cried heartily.