company were relieving their minds by explanation.
"A magnificent bit of plastik that!" said Klesmer to Miss Arrowpoint. And a quick fire of undertoned question and answer went round.
"Was it part of the play?"
"Oh no, surely not. Miss Harleth was too much affected. A sensitive creature!"
"Dear me! I was not aware that there was a painting behind that panel; were you?"
"No; how should I? Some eccentricity in one of the Earl's family long ago, I suppose."
"How very painful! Pray shut it up."
"Was the door locked? It is very mysterious. It must be the spirits."
"But there is no medium present."
"How do you know that? We must conclude that there is, when such things happen."
"Oh, the door was not locked; it was probably the sudden vibration from the piano that sent it open."
This conclusion came from Mr Gascoigne, who begged Miss Merry if possible to get the key. But this readiness to explain the mystery was thought by Mrs Vulcany unbecoming in a clergyman, and she observed in an undertone that Mr Gascoigne was always a little too worldly for her
