Free Rustication by Charles Palliser

Miss Bittlestone finished her story eventually, I assume?
    Mother smiled and said: She is rather “tongue-free” as my old nurse used to say, but she had better not tell that story to too many people .
    I think we all know who the family was who were so desperate to marry a daughter to a wealthy peer , I said.
    Effie looked at me: You were missed after you’d gone .
    Mother explained that the chimney started smoking shortly after I’d left and they had felt the want of a masculine mind on the premises.
    It was probably the change in the direction of the wind , I suggested. It draws badly at the best of times .
    I don’t know if that can be right , Mother said. There were very strange noises coming from it. Scratchings and flutings .
    I tried to peer up the great chimney but could see nothing.
    It is puzzling , I said. Some imp of mischief made me say: Perhaps it’s a restless spirit. I wonder how many wretched little climbing-boys have perished in that chimney. Perhaps the ghost of one of them lingers on in pain . Mother shuddered. I said: It puts me in mind of something I heard recently .
    I told them about my encounter with Mr Fourdrinier and the girl and said that he had confirmed the historical truth of the story Mother had told us.
    Then I said: But Mother, you left out part of the story. And it must relate to this very fireplace since it’s the principal one in the house. When the brothers came here and killed our ancestor and took their sister home, they also flung her newborn baby into the fire .
    To my astonishment Euphemia uttered a harsh exclamation that seemed to come from deep within her and stood bolt upright, pale as milk. Then she ran from the room.
    I was left staring at Mother in astonishment.
    She shook her head: Oh, Richard. Didn’t it occur to you that that is not a story to tell so lightly? Particularly to a young woman .
    She hurried out after her.
    Can Euphemia be afraid of ghosts? So solidly planted on the earth and so superior to my own flights of fancy?
    Effie didn’t appear for dinner and Mother sent Betsy up to her with something. While we ate I told Mother that I simply do not understand Euphemia any more—as if I ever did! What was she so upset about? Was it something Mother could tell me? Apparently not because she slipped away from that subject with all her skill in evading topics she does not want to discuss.
    When she pulled the curtains back before retiring for the night, she called out to me to come and look. Snowflakes were falling gently from the dark grey sky, turning and glittering as they floated to the ground.
    11 o’clock.
    The truth is that the debts I have incurred are greater than I have revealed to my mother. I am trying to shield her from worry. The money I owe was advanced to me by a friend called Edmund Webster whose family is now demanding its repayment and I fear they might make an approach to yourself .
    · · ·
    Just before dinner I was in the kitchen with Mother and I asked the cook: What are you preparing for us, Mrs Yass?
    She said: Well, for you, young genelman, it ain’t going to be tartar and vinegar .
    Then she cackled like an old witch and Mother shooed me out.
    · · ·
    ½ past 11 o’clock.
    Heard a scampering sound behind the wainscoting a few moments ago. Rats. They’ve been living here at least as long as the Herriards! And recently in considerably better style.
    Midnight.
    A few minutes ago I parted the curtains and looked out at the falling snow. I happened to notice that the curtain across one of Euphemia’s windows was not properly drawn. Since there was a candle alight in the room I could see a figure moving which I was pretty sure was my sister. Then I seemed to see another person in the room but at that moment the candle was extinguished. Was it Mother?
    · · ·
    What a sweet little face the Fourdrinier girl has. And such a beautiful slender neck. How I would love to run my hands round it. I touch it with my lips. It feels like the