SCENE II.—_A curtain is arranged from front to back, dividing

the stage into two rooms, as both must be seen at once. There must be a door between. In right-hand room is a lounge with pillow and blanket. FLORA sits in rocking-chair, soliloquizing._

F. There’s something going on, I’m sure, but what it can be isn’t quite clear to me. Mother has asked me half-a-dozen times if it wasn’t bed-time; and yet she, herself, hasn’t made any preparation toward retiring. I shall lie down, with my clothes on, ready for any emergency. There’s no danger of sleep overtaking me. I feel as if I shouldn’t sleep any at all to-night.

(_She lies down on lounge, in right-hand room, and covers herself with a blanket. A moment after, MRS. L. looks into FLORA’S room and seems satisfied at seeing her apparently asleep. She goes out into left-hand room. A tap is heard at outer door of left-hand room. Exit MRS. L._)

F. Hark! what noise is that? (_Assumes a listening attitude._)

(_Voices of MRS. L. and MR. P. are heard from behind the scenes._)

MRS. L. (_outside_). I am glad you are so punctual. Everything is in readiness. I just looked into Flora’s room and found she was fast asleep.

MR. P. (_in rather a high key_). Where shall I go to arrange my costume?

MRS. L. (_deprecatingly_). Hush! you mustn’t speak so loud, as her door is ajar. Come with me, and we’ll soon have you fitted out.

(_They enter left-hand room cautiously. A sheet lies unfolded on a chair. This MRS. L. drapes around her companion. He gathers it together so as to conceal his clothes._)

MRS. L. It will never do to allow your features to show so plainly. You are only Alfred Percival, after all. Flora would recognize you at once.

MR. P. Suppose I put the sheet over my head? (_Does so._) Is that any improvement?

MRS. L. Yes; but still I think your features would betray you. Let me think a moment. I have it. I will get Mr. Willis’s wig; that will be just the thing.

MR. P. So it will. That’s a good idea. (_She takes wig out of box. MR. P. puts it on._)

MRS. L. That’s capital. Now stoop a little, and no one would be likely to recognize you, particularly if they had just waked.

(_FLORA covers herself again and feigns sleep. MR. P. enters her room and advances to lounge. FLORA moves uneasily; then opens her eyes, and fixes them upon her visitor._)

F. (_in apparent horror_). Who are you?

MR. P. (_in sepulchral voice_). Flora Willis, I am the spirit of your dead husband.

F. But why do you appear to me in this way? If you are really he, why should you come to me at the dead of night?

MR. P. (_in hollow tones_). We, who are tenants of another sphere, mingle not with mortals; and it is only when all eyes are closed in slumber that we are permitted to walk the earth.

F. (_gaining confidence_). But what is your object in coming?

MR. P. (_slowly_). I come to warn and advise you. You are young, and, I know, cherish my memory fondly; but I feel sure that you would be happier and enjoy life more, if you should marry again.

F. But who is there I should be happy with?

MR. P. You have many suitors; choose among them.

F. I’m afraid they want my money more than myself, and such a union would cause a lifetime of misery.

MR. P. You are mistaken. There is Alfred Percival. He would be a kind husband. It is my wish that you marry him. Promise me that you will do so.

F. I cannot promise; it is too sudden.

MR. P. Think of it, then. One week from to-night I will visit you again. (_Passes slowly out into left-hand room._)

F. (_musing_). Well, that’s curious. I’ve heard ghost stories of almost every description, but never before did I hear of a ghost making love. For, though he intended to personate a spirit, he certainly spoke of himself. And I suppose he is congratulating himself on having completely deceived me. (_Suddenly._) I’d like to know what he and mother are saying about it. And why can’t I? They are only in the next room.

(_She rises and creeps cautiously to the door, which stands ajar. MR. P. has laid aside his ghostly covering and is in the act of passing his wig to MRS. L. FLORA listens._)

MRS. L. Then you think she did not suspect you?

MR. P. Apparently not. She appeared quite startled at first, but soon regained her composure.

MRS. L. I suppose it would be better not to allude to the subject to-morrow.

MR. P. Not on any account. That would tend to arouse her suspicions. I wouldn’t have her know that I took part in the stratagem.

MRS. L. And what do you expect will come of it? Of course she would not be likely to come forward and tell you that she was willing to marry you, even if she felt favorably inclined toward you.

MR. P. (_hesitatingly_). I think I shall call upon her to-morrow, and then I shall be governed entirely by circumstances.

(_FLORA hurries back to the lounge. MR. PERCIVAL goes out, L. MRS. L. cautiously goes and looks in at FLORA, who appears to be asleep. Exit MRS. L., R. Curtain falls._)