Charlotte
believed in her, but did not care about her ghostship. The nurse and
cook and housemaid declared they were meeting the horrible appearance
constantly; and they were all three in a mortal funk. As to the
children, they would not leave off clinging to their mother, and
fretting and trembling when evening came. The milkman, the baker and the
butcher, all told the servants that we would not be long at the Hall,
for nobody ever remained more than a month or two. This was cheerful and
encouraging for me!"
"But you had never seen the charming old woman all this time?"
"No; but I saw her in the broad daylight. I had a good long look at her,
and a more diabolical face I never saw--no, not even in the dock. I was
writing letters in the study about twelve o'clock one morning, when I
suddenly looked up, to see the appearance that had excited such a
turmoil in my family standing near the table. A frightful face--a
short-set woman dressed in black--gown, shawl, bonnet--this was the
impression I received. But she looked quite human--quite everyday--there
was nothing ghostly in her air--only the evil face curdled one's blood.
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