324 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [VI

the castle ever since; and I am sure you will agree
with me that I have quite as good reason for doing so
as the vast majority of ghosts have for frequenting
the various localities which they honour with their
presence.’

Here the little red man came to a stop, and
having again let his pipe out, rekindled it and tossed
off another glass of madeira whilst he awaited the
answer of his companion.

‘My dear sir,’ remarked the latter, ‘I do not
know how to thank you sufficiently for the remark-
ably interesting story with which you have just
favoured me.. Be assured that I sympathise most
truly and deeply with your sorrows, and feel sincerely
for all you have endured. Allow me at the same
time to observe, always with the greatest respect, that
after all, your present fate is not so bad as it might be,
or entirely devoid of those consolations which your
condition permits you to receive. I take it there are
few ghosts with such venison pasties and madeira at
command, and none, Iam sure, more capable of doing
justice to both than your worthy self.

‘Ah!’ replied the other with a sigh, ‘that is all
very true; but meat and wine do not confer happiness
upon ghosts any more than upon mortals. However,
as the hour is getting late, and IJ must be out of this
by cock-crow according to.all ghostly precedent, I
will take the liberty of wishing you a very good
night, and trust that your dreams will be light and
cheerful.’

‘I am sorry to part thus, Baron,’ replied the
traveller, ‘but you must of course fix your own hours