It was sufficient to discover all that could be known . In a high-backed oaken arm-chair , upright , with her hands clasped across her breast and her head thrown back , sat the Old Maid in the Winding-Sheet . The stately dame had fallen on her knees with her forehead on the holy knees of the Old Maid , one hand upon the floor and the other pressed convulsively against her heart . It clutched a lock of hair -- once sable , now discolored with a greenish mould . As the priest and layman advanced into the chamber the Old Maid 's features assumed such a semblance of shifting expression that they trusted to hear the whole mystery explained by a single word . But it was only the shadow of a tattered curtain waving betwixt the dead face and the moonlight . `` Both dead ! '' said the venerable man . `` Then who shall divulge the secret ? Methinks it glimmers to and fro in my mind like the light and shadow across the Old Maid 's face . And now 't is gone ! '' PETER GOLDTHWAITE 'S TREASURE . `` And so , Peter , you wo n't even consider of the business ? '' said Mr. John Brown , buttoning his surtout over the snug rotundity of his person and drawing on his gloves . `` You positively refuse to let me have this crazy old house , and the land under and adjoining , at the price named ? '' `` Neither at that , nor treble the sum , '' responded the gaunt , grizzled and threadbare Peter Goldthwaite . `` The fact is , Mr. Brown , you must find another site for your brick block and be content to leave my estate with the present owner . Next summer I intend to put a splendid new mansion over the cellar of the old house . '' `` Pho , Peter ! '' cried Mr. Brown as he opened the kitchen door ; `` content yourself with building castles in the air , where house-lots are cheaper than on earth , to say nothing of the cost of bricks and mortar .
Such foundations are solid enough for your edifices , while this underneath us is just the thing XXXXX mine ; and so we may both be suited .
As across against at for in on over to upon