EUCLID. And yet, you see, you had doubts of my fidelity, when I was only guilty of--(_aside._)--murder. MRS. F. Do not be angry; you know appearances were against you. HOLD. Well, what say you to a stroll on the banks of the river, while supper is getting ready? JULIA. Oh, delightful! this is the most romantic time, twilight. FABLE. Yes, the very moment for a ghost story! MRS. F. Come, Euclid-- FABLE. Well, then, come along, and I will tell you a most pleasant story about the ghost of a man who was drowned near this spot. [_Exeunt all but EUCLID, R._ EUCLID. Here I am alone at last. What an awful day I have had. Two murders and a row! I wonder where my unfortunate accomplice is? _Enter FANNY, L._ Ah, Fanny, heigho! How do you do, Fanny? FANNY. Very ill, indeed, Mr. Facile; think of my nerves being in such a weak state, from you know what. EUCLID. Yes. FANNY. And then my having to cut capers with that nasty thing over my head; I should not wonder if I took to my bed and died. EUCLID. Then you may think yourself very fortunate, I assure you. I expect no such luck as to die in my bed. FANNY. I tried to amuse myself; I took up an old volume of the Newgate Calender. EUCLID. Horrid book! It will be increased some pages soon, I dare say. FANNY. It was about a man who murdered another man. EUCLID. Only killed one man! A mere babe of innocence compared with you and me; but I shall sit up all night, and you must do the same, and we'll convey, you know what, out of here, and pitch it in the river. _Enter ROBERT, R., with cloth, knives, &c.; lays cloth._ Seem as if nothing had happened. FANNY. Yes; but don't talk, Robert is looking. ROBERT. Here, Fanny, help me to move this sofa. How remarkably heavy it is; it feels heavier than usual. FANNY. Heavy! I think it feels lighter than usual. Oh dear! there that will do. _Enter HOLDFAST, MRS. FACILE, JULIA, and FABLE, R. Exit ROBERT, L._ FABLE. A delightful family; the young lady evidently voted me a bore every time I opened my mouth, and the old man calls ancient traditions a humbug. (_aside._) Goths! HOLD. You must be hungry, sir--have an appetite for your supper. FABLE. Why, to tell you the truth, I am rather so; have not tasted a morsel since one o'clock. HOLD. Fortunate! we have a game supper to-night--grouse and ptarmigan, which I think you'll enjoy. FABLE. (_aside._) That's the first pleasant thing I've heard since I came here. EUCLID. (_aside._) But I have no appetite. _Enter ROBERT, L._ ROBERT. (_entering._) Please, Mr. Fable, your man says there's not a lodging to be had in the village. HOLD. How unfortunate, and every bed here is occupied. (_FANNY, who is going in and out with supper things, during this dialogue enters R. with a tray._) Stop! I have it; that sofa will make up into a bed; you shall have that. (_FANNY screams and drops the tray._) FABLE. Capital family! servants drop the supper. MRS. F. Careless slut, what did you drop the tray for?