And yes--well, something did happen! I heard a kind of rustling in the room.

It would leave off for a time, and, then begin again.

I tried to put it down to a mouse or a rat--or something of that sort." "That," said Miss Farrow quietly, "was probably what it was, Pegler." As if she had not heard her lady's remark, the maid went on: "I'd go off to sleep, and then suddenly, I'd awake and hear this peculiar rustle, ma'am, like a dress swishing along--an old-fashioned, rich, soft silk, such as ladies wore in the old days, when I was a child.

But that dress, the dress I heard rustling, ma'am, was a bit older than that." "What _do_ you mean, Pegler ?" The maid remained silent, her eyes were fixed; it was as if she had forgotten where she was.
"And what exactly happened last night ?" "Last night," said Pegler, drawing a long breath, "last night, ma'am--I know you won't believe me--but I saw the spirit!" Miss Farrow looked up into the woman's face with an anxious, searching glance.
She felt disturbed and worried.

A great deal of her material comfort--almost, she might have truly said, much of her happiness in life--depended on Jane Pegler.