«
    »Monsieur, I tell you every glance you cast from that lattice is a wrong
done to the best part of your own nature. To study the human heart thus, is to
banquet secretly and sacrilegiously on Eve's apples. I wish you were a
Protestant.«
    Indifferent to the wish, he smoked on. After a space of smiling yet
thoughtful silence, he said, rather suddenly -
    »I have seen other things.«
    »What other things?«
    Taking the weed from his lips, he threw the remnant amongst the shrubs,
where, for a moment, it lay glowing in the gloom.
    »Look at it,« said he: »is not that spark like an eye watching you and me.«
    He took a turn down the walk; presently returning, he went on:
    »I have seen, Miss Lucy, things to me unaccountable, that have made me watch
all night for a solution, and I have not yet found it.«
    The tone was peculiar; my veins thrilled; he saw me shiver.
    »Are you afraid? Whether is it of my words or that red jealous eye just
winking itself out?«
    »I am cold; the night grows dark and late, and the air is changed; it is
time to go in.«
    »It is little past eight, but you shall go in soon. Answer me only this
question.«
    Yet he paused ere he put it. The garden was truly growing dark; dusk had
come on with clouds, and drops of rain began to patter through the trees. I
hoped he would feel this, but, for the moment, he seemed too much absorbed to be
sensible of the change.
    »Mademoiselle, do you Protestants believe in the supernatural?«
    »There is a difference of theory and belief on this point amongst
Protestants, as amongst other sects,« I answered. »Why, monsieur, do you ask
such a question?«
    »Why do you shrink and speak so faintly? Are you superstitious?«
    »I am constitutionally nervous. I dislike the discussion of such subjects. I
dislike it the more because -«
    »You believe?«
    »No: but it has happened to me to experience impressions -«
    »Since you came here?«
    »Yes: not many months ago.«
    »Here? - in this house?«
    »Yes.«
    »Bon! I am glad of it. I knew it somehow before you told me. I was conscious
of rapport between you and myself. You are patient, and I
