Act 4 — SCENE II.—A Passage or corridor, dark.
Reading edition
Enter JOHN, frightened, L. H.
John. Oh, Lord! I’ve seen it again; there can’t be no sort of mistake this time—a wild-looking, ghost-like thing, with heavy hair, rushed by me at the end of the corridor. Ugh! what’s that?—my heart beats like the fastest sort of a clock. There’s something mysterious in the house—I knew there was, in spite of Grace’s denial. Ugh! I can’t look round often enough to be sure there’s nobody behind me; glaring with glassy eyes;—there it is again! Oh, Lord! coming right through at me! Mercy! mercy! your ghostship!
GRACE rushes on L. H., and shakes him, she is frightened, but with a different expression.
Grace. Up, fool!
John. Is it you! phew! it’s like a reprieve on the very gallows.
Grace. What have you seen?
John. A ghost! the ghost!
Grace. Nonsense; what way did she, I mean did it go?
John. Whatever it was, she or it, flew right up the grand staircase like a puff of tobacco smoke. Mercy on us, Grace, what can it be?
Grace. Away, and be silent.
John. Wasn’t it a ghost, then, tell me that.
Grace. Yes; and a mischievous one; see, it’s coming back, run!
John. Oh, lord!
[Bolts off.
Grace. Mischief! mischief! where will it end!
[Exit R. H.