She led them to the north gallery and, pausing at the door, said
merrily, "The ghost--or ghosts rather, for there were two--which
frightened Patty were Sir Jasper and myself, meeting to discuss certain
important matters which concerned Mr. Treherne. If you want to see
spirits we will play phantom for you, and convince you of our power."

"Good, let us go and have a ghostly dance, as a proper finale of our
revel," answered Rose as they flocked into the long hall.

At that moment the great clock struck twelve, and all paused to bid the
old year adieu. Sir Jasper was the first to speak, for, angry with Mrs.
Snowdon, yet thankful to her for making a jest to others of what had
been earnest to him, he desired to hide his chagrin under a gay manner;
and taking Rose around the waist was about to waltz away as she
proposed, saying cheerily, "'Come one and all, and dance the new year
in,'" when a cry from Octavia arrested him, and turning he saw her
stand, pale and trembling, pointing to the far end of the hall.

Eight narrow Gothic windows pierced either wall of the north
gallery. A full moon sent her silvery light strongly in upon the
eastern side, making broad bars of brightness across the floor. No
fires burned there now, and wherever the moonlight did not fall deep
shadows lay. As Octavia cried out, all looked, and all distinctly
saw a tall, dark figure moving noiselessly across the second bar of
light far down the hall.

"Is it some jest of yours?" asked Sir Jasper of Mrs. Snowdon, as the
form vanished in the shadow.

"No, upon my honor, I know nothing of it! I only meant to relieve