"But how do you know, Mrs. Benson, she was here? Where's your proof,
mum?" asked the pompous butler.

"Look at this, and then look at the outlandish trimming of the lady's
dress. You men are so dull about such matters you'd never observe these
little points. Well, I was here first after Patty, and my light shone on
this jet ornament lying near where she saw the spirit. No one has any
such tasty trifles but Mrs. Snowdon, and these are all over her gown. If
that ain't proof, what is?"

"Well, admitting it, I then say what on earth should she and Master be
up here for, at such a time?" asked the slow-witted butler.

"Adam, we are old servants of the family, and to you I'll say what
tortures shouldn't draw from to another. Master has been wild, as you
know, and it's my belief that he loved this lady abroad. There was a
talk of some mystery, or misdeed, or misfortune, more than a year ago,
and she was in it. I'm loath to say it, but I think Master loves her
still, and she him. The general is an old man, she is but young, and so
spirited and winsome she can't in reason care for him as for a fine,
gallant gentleman like Sir Jasper. There's trouble brewing, Adam, mark
my words. There's trouble brewing for the Trehernes."

So low had the voices fallen that the listener could not have caught the
words had not his ear been strained to the utmost. He did hear all, and
his wasted face flashed with the wrath of a young man, then grew pale
and stern as he turned to watch his wife. She stood apart from the
others talking to Sir Jasper, who looked unusually handsome and debonair
as he fanned her with a devoted air.