---"Now, confess, you are the most foolish child in the world," says 'Duke, cheerfully, seeing I am still depressed. "Who would willingly be out such an evening as this! Not even a dog, if he could help it; and certainly a spectre would have far too much sense." "If it was fancy, it was very vivid," I say, reluctantly, "and, besides, I am not fanciful at all. I was a little unlucky, I think; it reminded me of--of---" "A Banshee?" asks 'Duke, laughing. "Well, yes, something like that," I admit seriously. "Oh, Marmaduke, I hope no bad fortune is in store for us. I feel a strange foreboding at my heart." "You feel a good deal of folly," says my husband. "Phyllis, I am ashamed of you. The idea of being superstitious in the nineteenth century! I shall give you a good scolding for this, and at the same time some brandy-and-water. Your nerves are unstrung, my dearest; that is all. Come, sit down here, and try to be sensible, while I ring the bell." As he speaks he rings it. "Tynon, have the grounds searched again directly. It is very annoying that tramps should be allowed the run of the place. A stop must be put to it. Half a glass of brandy and a bottle of soda." "Yes, sir." "Don't give me brandy and soda-water," I say, with some energy. "I do so hate it." "How do you know?" "Because I tested yours the other evening, and thought it a horrible concoction. I was tired of hearing men praise it as a drink, so thought I would try if it was really as good as they said. But it was not: it was extremely disagreeable." "It was the soda you disliked. I will put very little in, and then you will like it better." "But indeed, Marmaduke, I would rather not have anything." "But indeed, Phyllis, I must insist on your taking it. If we are going to be so ultra-fashionable as to encourage a real ghost on the premises, we must only increase our allowance of spirits, and fortify ourselves to meet it. By the by, have you decided on the sex? Bebe was rather hazy on that point." "I don't know," I say, shuddering; "I wish you would not jest about it." Then I drink what he has prepared for me, and, in spite of my dislike to it, feel presently somewhat happier in my mind. --- The world is only three days older, when, as I sit alone in my own room reading, Tynon opens the door, and addresses me in the semi-mysterious manner he affects. "There's a woman downstairs, ma'am, as particularly wants to speak with you." "A woman?" I reply, lazily. "What sort of a woman Tynon?" "Well, ma'am, a handsome woman as far as I can judge. A furriner, I would say. A woman of a fine presence--as might be a lady; but I ain't quite certain on that point." "Oh, Tynon, show her up," I say, hastily, feeling dismayed, as I picture to myself a lady left standing in the hall while Tynon makes up his mind as to what her proper position in society may be.