The conclusion seemed to startle her. "Had--you--better come?" she cried, with much hesitation. "Yes, Annabel, I had better come," I firmly replied. "And I cannot understand why you should wish me not to do so, as I can see you do." "Only--if mamma should be ill again--it is all so uncomfortable. I dare say you never even finished your tea," glancing at the table. All trivial excuses, to conceal her real and inexplicable motive, I felt certain. "Good-night, Charles." She held out her hand to me. I did not take it: I took her instead, and held her to my heart. "You are not yourself to-night, Annabel, for there is some further mystery in all this, and you will not tell it me. But the time will soon come, my dearest, when our mysteries and our sorrows must be shared in common." And all the answer I received was a look of despair. In passing through the iron gates, I met Mr. Close. The moon to-night was obscured by clouds, but the gas-lamps revealed us plainly to each other. "How is Mrs. Brightman?" he asked. "Very ill and very strange," I answered. "Do you apprehend any serious result?" "Well--no," said he; "not immediately. Of course, it will tell upon her in the long-run." "She has had another attack of nervous terror to-night; in fact, two attacks." "Ay; seen the ghost again, I suppose. I suspected she would, so thought I would just call in." "Would it not be as well--excuse me, Mr. Close, but you are aware how intimately connected I was with Mr. Brightman--to call in a consultation? Not that there is the slightest doubt of your skill and competency, but it appears to be so singular a malady; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, you know." "It is the commonest malady we have to deal with," returned he; and the answer was so unexpected that I could only stare in silence. "Have a consultation if you think it more satisfactory, Mr. Strange. But it will not produce the slightest benefit; and the less this matter is allowed to transpire the better. I assure you that all the faculty combined could not do more for Mrs. Brightman than I am doing. It is a lamentable disease, but it is one that must run its course." He went on to the house, and I got outside an omnibus that was passing the end of the road, and lighted my cigar, more at sea than ever. If seeing ghosts was the commonest malady doctors had to deal with, where had I lived all my life not to have learned it? The next afternoon I was surprised by a visit from Perry. He brought word from his mistress that she was very much better, though not yet able to see me on business matters; when she felt equal to it, she would let me know. Miss Annabel, concluded the butler, was gone to Hastings. "To Hastings!" I exclaimed.