I have tried to find out its author, but I have failed so far." "That is a trifle," I said.

"The real cause--no, I prefer to stand," I put in, for he was again urging me by a gesture to seat myself.
"The real cause--" he repeated.
"-- is one you will smile at, but which you must nevertheless respect.
She thinks--she has confided to us, in fact--that she has seen, within these walls, what many others profess to have seen.

You understand me, Mr.Steele ?" "I don't know that I do, Miss Saunders." "I find it hard to speak it; you have heard, of course, the common gossip about this house." "That it is haunted ?" he smiled, somewhat disdainfully.
"Yes.

Well, Mrs.Packard believes that she has seen what--what gives this name to the house." "A ghost ?" "Yes, a ghost--in the library one night." "Ah!" The ejaculation was eloquent.

I did not altogether understand it, but its chief expression seemed to be contempt.