the haunted hotel(闹鬼的旅馆)-第38章
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She started to her feet and looked at him wildly。 'I know no more
what prevents me than you do！' she burst out。 'Some will that is stronger
than mine drives me on to my destruction； in spite of my own self！' She
suddenly sat down again； and waved her hand for him to go。 'Leave me；'
she said。 'Leave me to my thoughts。'
Francis left her； firmly persuaded by this time that she was out of her
senses。 For the rest of the day； he saw nothing of her。 The night； so far as
he knew； passed quietly。 The next morning he breakfasted early；
determining to wait in the restaurant for the appearance of the Countess。
She came in and ordered her breakfast quietly； looking dull and worn and
self…absorbed； as she had looked when he last saw her。 He hastened to
her table； and asked if anything had happened in the night。
'Nothing；' she answered。
'You have rested as well as usual？'
'Quite as well as usual。 Have you had any letters this morning？ Have
you heard when she is coming？'
'I have had no letters。 Are you really going to stay here？ Has your
experience of last night not altered the opinion which you expressed to me
yesterday？'
'Not in the least。'
The momentary gleam of animation which had crossed her face when
she questioned him about Agnes； died out of it again when he answered
her。 She looked； she spoke； she eat her breakfast； with a vacant resignation；
like a woman who had done with hopes； done with interests； done with
everything but the mechanical movements and instincts of life。
Francis went out； on the customary travellers' pilgrimage to the shrines
of Titian and Tintoret。 After some hours of absence； he found a letter
waiting for him when he got back to the hotel。 It was written by his
brother Henry； and it recommended him to return to Milan immediately。
The proprietor of a French theatre； recently arrived from Venice； was
trying to induce the famous dancer whom Francis had engaged to break
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
faith with him and accept a higher salary。
Having made this startling announcement； Henry proceeded to inform
his brother that Lord and Lady Montbarry； with Agnes and the children；
would arrive in Venice in three days more。 'They know nothing of our
adventures at the hotel；' Henry wrote； 'and they have telegraphed to the
manager for the accommodation that they want。 There would be
something absurdly superstitious in our giving them a warning which
would frighten the ladies and children out of the best hotel in Venice。 We
shall be a strong party this timetoo strong a party for ghosts！ I shall
meet the travellers on their arrival； of course； and try my luck again at
what you call the Haunted Hotel。 Arthur Barville and his wife have
already got as far on their way as Trent； and two of the lady's relations
have arranged to accompany them on the journey to Venice。'
Naturally indignant at the conduct of his Parisian colleague； Francis
made his preparations for returning to Milan by the train of that day。
On his way out； he asked the manager if his brother's telegram had
been received。 The telegram had arrived； and； to the surprise of Francis；
the rooms were already reserved。 'I thought you would refuse to let any
more of the family into the house；' he said satirically。 The manager
answered （with the due dash of respect） in the same tone。 'Number 13 A is
safe； sir； in the occupation of a stranger。 I am the servant of the Company；
and I dare not turn money out of the hotel。'
Hearing this； Francis said good…byeand said nothing more。 He was
ashamed to acknowledge it to himself； but he felt an irresistible curiosity
to know what would happen when Agnes arrived at the hotel。 Besides；
'Mrs。 James' had reposed a confidence in him。 He got into his gondola；
respecting the confidence of 'Mrs。 James。'
Towards evening on the third day； Lord Montbarry and his travelling
companions arrived； punctual to their appointment。
'Mrs。 James；' sitting at the window of her room watching for them； saw
the new Lord land from the gondola first。 He handed his wife to the
steps。 The three children were next committed to his care。 Last of all；
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
Agnes appeared in the little black doorway of the gondola cabin； and；
taking Lord Montbarry's hand； passed in her turn to the steps。 She wore
no veil。 As she ascended to the door of the hotel； the Countess （eyeing
her through an opera…glass） noticed that she paused to look at the outside
of the building； and that her face was very pale。
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
CHAPTER XXI
Lord and Lady Montbarry were received by the housekeeper； the
manager being absent for a day or two on business connected with the
affairs of the hotel。
The rooms reserved for the travellers on the first floor were three in
number； consisting of two bedrooms opening into each other； and
communicating on the left with a drawing…room。 Complete so far； the
arrangements proved to be less satisfactory in reference to the third
bedroom required for Agnes and for the eldest daughter of Lord
Montbarry； who usually slept with her on their travels。 The bed…chamber
on the right of the drawing…room was already occupied by an English
widow lady。 Other bedchambers at the other end of the corridor were
also let in every case。 There was accordingly no alternative but to place
at the disposal of Agnes a comfortable room on the second floor。 Lady
Montbarry vainly complained of this separation of one of the members of
her travelling party from the rest。 The housekeeper politely hinted that it
was impossible for her to ask other travellers to give up their rooms。 She
could only express her regret； and assure Miss Lockwood that her bed…
chamber on the second floor was one of the best rooms in that part of the
hotel。
On the retirement of the housekeeper； Lady Montbarry noticed that
Agnes had seated herself apart； feeling apparently no interest in the
question of the bedrooms。 Was she ill？ No； she felt a little unnerved by
the railway journey； and that was all。 Hearing this； Lord Montbarry
proposed that she should go out with him； and try the experiment of half
an hour's walk in the cool evening air。 Agnes gladly accepted the
suggestion。 They directed their steps towards the square of St。 Mark； so
as to enjoy the breeze blowing over the lagoon。 It was the first visit of
Agnes to Venice。 The fascination of the wonderful city of t
