reasonable, or just to yourself? Is it like you, who have known me so
long and sought my advice in all matters--like you, who from a girl have
had a strong mind and a staunch heart?'

'I have need of them,' she replied. 'I am growing old, both in years and
care. Perhaps that, and too much trial, have made them weaker than they
used to be. Do not speak to me.'

'How can I see what I have seen, and hold my peace!' returned the
locksmith. 'Who was that man, and why has his coming made this change in
you?'

She was silent, but held to the chair as though to save herself from
falling on the ground.

'I take the licence of an old acquaintance, Mary,' said the locksmith,
'who has ever had a warm regard for you, and maybe has tried to prove it
when he could. Who is this ill-favoured man, and what has he to do with
you? Who is this ghost, that is only seen in the black nights and bad
weather? How does he know, and why does he haunt, this house, whispering
through chinks and crevices, as if there was that between him and you,
which neither durst so much as speak aloud of? Who is he?'

'You do well to say he haunts this house,' returned the widow, faintly.
'His shadow has been upon it and me, in light and darkness, at noonday
and midnight. And now, at last, he has come in the body!'

'But he wouldn't have gone in the body,' returned the locksmith with
some irritation, 'if you had left my arms and legs at liberty. What
riddle is this?'