“Look’look!” gasped Rose, pointing down the funnel-like lane, at the end of which was the light of the steely water. Rose maintained her grasp of Noah. The young man looked in the direction indicated, and both saw a figure in the vista, lurching as it went along, as though lame; a thickset figure, as far as they could make out in the uncertain light. In another moment it had disappeared. “Go after it!” said Rose, relaxing her hold. “It? What do you mean?” “That’s just like Jason Quarm.” “But he’s dead. You said so.” “I know he is, but that’s his ghost. Run, Noah, and force it to speak. It’s walking, because it can’t rest wi’out burial.” “I won’t!” said Noah. “Go yourself.” “You are a man. It’s vanished now. That’s the way to the cottage he had, which Kitty gave up to the Redmores. Oh, Noah, do run!” “I’ll do nothing o’ the sort. Come on, Rose’we are going along t’other lane, thanks be. Lord, that we should ha’ seen a ghost! I shan’t be able to propose. I shall be so terrible took aback.” “Nonsense, Noah!” “But consider’it’s terrible frightening to propose right on end to a ghost’s daughter.” CHAPTER XLIX FLAGRANTE DELICTO Noah and Rose reached the Cellars just as Pasco and his family were about to seat themselves to supper. Pepperill somewhat boisterously welcomed them, and insisted on their sharing the evening meal. “You see,” said he, “it is dull here. Zerah ain’t much in the way of entertainment, and Kitty be just as heavy. Stupid place this, and stupid people; I shall get away as soon as possible.” “Going to leave the Cellars, Mr. Pepperill?” asked Rose. “I don’t find this place lively enough for me, now I’m a man of independent means. I want amusement, and can get none here; society, and here no one can talk of anything but bullocks.” “I don’t know that,” said Noah; “there is the fire, everyone is talking of that.” Rose cast a reproachful glance at her cousin. His remark made Pasco wince, and Zerah look down into her plate. “You see,” pursued Pepperill, “having come in for a little property”’ “The insurance money?” asked the blundering Noah. “My uncle’s little fortune,” answered Pasco hastily. “There’s no occasion for me to toil and drudge like a slave selling coals, and wool, and hides, and the like; so I think I’ll take a little box somewhere near Exeter, somewhere where I can amuse myself, and have agreeable neighbours.” As soon as opportunity offered, Rose drew Kate aside and said to her cheerily, “I have brought you Noah.” “Noah! Why?” “I heard you were off with the schoolmaster.” “Yes, I am.” “Then it is high time you were on with another.” “I want no one.” “Oh, that’s nonsense! You must have Noah. He’s a nice fellow and has a good property; besides, he is cruel sweet on you.” “Indeed, indeed, Rose, I wish to be left alone.”