something rather awful in the way the bodiless things nodded and
gesticulated at each other in silence. Still, there was nothing
more than this, as Severance was compelled to own; and I was
trying to turn the whole affair into ridicule, when suddenly,
without sound or warning, I saw--as distinctly as I perceive the
words I now write--yet another figure stand at the window, gaze
steadfastly at us for a moment, and then disappear. It was, as I
fancied, that of a woman, but was totally enveloped in a very
full cloak, reaching to the ground, with a peculiarly cut hood,
that stood erect and seemed half as long as the body of the
garment. I had a vague recollection of having seen some such
costume in a picture.

Of course, I dashed round the corner of the house, threaded the
birch-trees, and stood on the eastern piazza. No one was there.
Without losing an instant, I ran to the garden wall and climbed
it, as Severance had done, to look into Paul's cottage. That
worthy was just getting into bed, in a state of complicated
deshabille, his blackbearded head wrapped in an old scarlet
handkerchief that made him look like a retired pirate in reduced
circumstances. He being accounted for, I vainly traversed the
shrubberies, returned to the western piazza, watched awhile
uselessly, and went home with Severance, a good deal puzzled.

By daylight the whole thing seemed different. That I had seen the
figure there was no doubt. It was not a reflected image, for we
had no companion. It was, then, human. After all, thought I, it
is a commonplace thing enough, this masquerading in a cloak and
hood. Someone has observed Severance's nocturnal visits, and is
amusing himself at his expense. The peculiarity was, that the