“Wedon’tknow！“answeredtheothersinasfearfulakey，andrelatedhowtheyhadfoundthedooroftheirroomajar，andabrightlightstreamingintothecorridor。Theydidnotstoptoponderthisfact，but，withtheheedlessnessoftheirsex，pushedthedoorwideopen，whentheysawseatedbeforethemirrorabewilderingfigure，withdisheveledlockswanderingdowntheback，andindishabilleexpressiveofbeingquiteathomethere，whichturneduponthemapairofpaleblueeyes，underaforeheadremarkableforthestragglingfringeofhairthatcoveredit。
Theyprofessedtohaveremainedtransfixedatthesight，andtohavenotedalikedismayonthevisagebeforetheglass，eretheysummonedstrengthtofly。ThesefactsColonelEllisongaveatthecommandofhiswife，withmanyprotestsandinsinceredelaysamidstwhichthecuriosityofhishearersalonepreventedthemfromrendinghiminpieces。
“Andwhatdoyousupposeitwas？“demandedhiswife，withforcedcalmness，whenhehadatlastmadeanendofthestoryandhisabominablehypoocisies。
“Well，Ithinkitwasamermaid。“
“Amermaid！“saidhiswife，scornfully。“Howdoyouknow？“