Chapter 7

           IgotholdofMrs.GroseassoonafterthisasIcould;andIcangivenointelligibleaccountofhowIfoughtouttheinterval.YetIstillhearmyselfcryasIfairlythrewmyselfintoherarms:“Theyknow—it’stoomonstrous:theyknow,theyknow!”

           “Andwhatonearth—?”Ifeltherincredulityassheheldme.

           “Why,allthatweknow—andheavenknowswhatelsebesides!”Then,asshereleasedme,Imadeitouttoher,madeitoutperhapsonlynowwithfullcoherencyeventomyself.“Twohoursago,inthegarden”—Icouldscarcearticulate—“Florasaw!”

           Mrs.Grosetookitasshemighthavetakenablowinthestomach.“Shehastoldyou?”shepanted.

           “Notaword—that’sthehorror.Shekeptittoherself!Thechildofeight,thatchild!”Unutterablestill,forme,wasthestupefactionofit.

           Mrs.Grose,ofcourse,couldonlygapethewider.“Thenhowdoyouknow?”

           “Iwasthere—Isawwithmyeyes:sawthatshewasperfectlyaware.”

           “Doyoumeanawareofhim?”

           “No—ofher.”IwasconsciousasIspokethatIlookedprodigiousthings,forIgottheslowreflectionoftheminmycompanion’sface.“Anotherperson—thistime;butafigureofquiteasunmistakablehorrorandevil:awomaninblack,paleanddreadful—withsuchanairalso,andsuchaface!—ontheothersideofthelake.Iwastherewiththechild—quietforthehour;andinthemidstofitshecame.”

           “Camehow—fromwhere?”

           “Fromwheretheycomefrom!Shejustappearedandstoodthere—butnotsonear.