No Living Voice

'How do you account for it?'
'I don't account for it at all. I don't pretend to understand it.'
'You think, then, that it was really supernatural?'
'We know so little what Nature comprehends--what are its powers and limits--that we can scarcely speak of anything that happens as beyond it or above it.'
'And you are certain that this did happen?'
'Quite certain; of that I have no doubt whatever.'
These sentences passed between two gentlemen in the drawing-room of a country house, where a small family party was assembled after dinner; and in consequence of a lull in the conversation occurring at the moment they were distinctly heard by nearly everybody present. Curiosity was excited, and enquiries were eagerly pressed as to the nature or supernature of the event under discussion. 'A ghost story!' cried one; 'oh! delightful! we must and will hear it.' 'Oh! please, no, said another; 'I should not sleep all night--and yet I am dying with curiosity.'
Others seemed inclined to treat the question rather from a rational or psychological point of view, and would have started a discussion upon ghosts in general, each giving his own experience; but these were brought back by the voice of the hostess, crying, 'Question, question!' and the first speakers were warmly urged to explain what particular event had formed the subject of their conversation.
'It was you, Mr Browne, who said you could not account for it; and you are such a very matter-of--fact person that we feel doubly anxious to hear what wonderful occurrence could have made you look so grave and earnest.'