第71章

MistressAffery，whosefearofthunderandlightningwasonlytobeequalledbyherdreadofthehauntedhousewithaprematureandpreternaturaldarknessinit，stoodundecidedwhethertogoinornot，untilthequestionwassettledforherbythedoorblowinguponherinaviolentgustofwindandshuttingherout。’What’stobedonenow，what’stobedonenow!’criedMistressAffery，wringingherhandsinthislastuneasydreamofall；’whenshe’sallalonebyherselfinside，andcannomorecomedowntoopenitthanthechurchyarddeadthemselves!’

Inthisdilemma，MistressAffery，withherapronasahoodtokeeptherainoff，rancryingupanddownthesolitarypavedenclosureseveraltimes。Whysheshouldthenstoopdownandlookinatthekeyholeofthedoorasifaneyewouldopenit，itwouldbedifficulttosay；butitisnonethelesswhatmostpeoplewouldhavedoneinthesamesituation，anditiswhatshedid。

Fromthispostureshestartedupsuddenly，withahalfscream，feelingsomethingonhershoulder。Itwasthetouchofahand；ofaman’shand。

Themanwasdressedlikeatraveller，inaforagingcapwithfuraboutit，andaheapofcloak。Helookedlikeaforeigner。Hehadaquantityofhairandmoustache——jetblack，exceptattheshaggyends，whereithadatingeofred——andahighhooknose。HelaughedatMistressAffery’sstartandcry；andashelaughed，hismoustachewentupunderhisnose，andhisnosecamedownoverhismoustache。

’What’sthematter？’heaskedinplainEnglish。’Whatareyoufrightenedat？’

’Atyou，’pantedAffery。

’Me，madam？’

’Andthedismalevening，and——andeverything，’saidAffery。’Andhere!Thewindhasbeenandblownthedoorto，andIcan’tgetin。’

’Hah!’saidthegentleman，whotookthatverycoolly。’Indeed!DoyouknowsuchanameasClennamabouthere？’

’Lordblessus，IshouldthinkIdid，IshouldthinkIdid!’criedAffery，exasperatedintoanewwringingofhandsbytheinquiry。

’Whereabouthere？’

’Where!’criedAffery，goadedintoanotherinspectionofthekeyhole。’Wherebuthereinthishouse？Andshe’sallaloneinherroom，andlosttheuseofherlimbsandcan’tstirtohelpherselforme，andt’othercleverone’sout，andLordforgiveme!’

criedAffery，drivenintoafranticdancebytheseaccumulatedconsiderations，’ifIain’ta-goingheadlongoutofmymind!’

Takingawarmerviewofthematternowthatitconcernedhimself，thegentlemansteppedbacktoglanceatthehouse，andhiseyesoonrestedonthelongnarrowwindowofthelittleroomnearthehall-

door。

’Wheremaytheladybewhohaslosttheuseofherlimbs，madam？’

heinquired，withthatpeculiarsmilewhichMistressAfferycouldnotchoosebutkeephereyesupon。

’Upthere!’saidAffery。’Themtwowindows。’

’Hah!Iamofafairsize，butcouldnothavethehonourofpresentingmyselfinthatroomwithoutaladder。Now，madam，frankly——franknessisapartofmycharacter——shallIopenthedoorforyou？’

’Yes，blessyou，sir，foradearcreetur，anddoitatonce，’criedAffery，’forshemaybea-callingtomeatthisverypresentminute，ormaybesettingherselfafireandburningherselftodeath，orthere’snoknowingwhatmaybehappeningtoher，andmea-goingoutofmymindatthinkingofit!’

’Stay，mygoodmadam!’Herestrainedherimpatiencewithasmoothwhitehand。’Business-hours，Iapprehend，areoverfortheday？’

’Yes，yes，yes，’criedAffery。’Longago。’

’Letmemake，then，afairproposal。Fairnessisapartofmycharacter。Iamjustlandedfromthepacket-