"I did," said I, dropping my voice, so that Leah, who was still polishing the panes, could not hear me, "and at first I thought it was Pilot: but Pilot cannot laugh; and I am certain I heard a laugh, and a strange one."

     She took a new needleful of thread, waxed it carefully, threaded her needle with a steady hand, and then observed, with perfect composure--

     "It is hardly likely master would laugh, I should think, Miss, when he was in such danger: You must have been dreaming."

     "I was not dreaming," I said, with some warmth, for her brazen coolness provoked me. Again she looked at me; and with the same scrutinising and conscious eye.

     "Have you told master that you heard a laugh?" she inquired.

     "I have not had the opportunity of speaking to him this morning."

     "You did not think of opening your door and looking out into the gallery?" she further asked.