Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/38

26 of my age and character. I was conscious that the course in front of me was not all smooth sailing.

"A young lady, Mrs. Peddar, has just entered my room through the window."

"Through the window! Mr. Ferguson! At this hour!"

"I'm afraid the poor thing is not quite right in her mind."

"I should think not. That is the best thing you can hope of her."

"She is quite a lady."

"Lady!" Mrs. Peddar tightened her lips. "Mr. Ferguson, are you laughing at me, sir?"

"I assure you I am perfectly serious; and I give you my word she is a lady. You have only to see her for yourself to find that. Wait a minute—let me finish! I thought at first that she was a somnambulist; that she had been walking in her sleep; and I am still of opinion that something strange has happened to her. She is unable to tell me her name, who she is, whence she comes, or anything about herself; she seemed as if she were mazed."

"Has she been drinking?"

"Come downstairs and speak to her; you will perceive for yourself that to connect her with such a notion would be worse than impertinence."