第4章

CHAPTERX

Inthemeantime，Mrs。Ferrariheldtoherresolution。

ShewentstraightfromMr。Troy’sofficetoNewbury’sHotel。

LadyMontbarrywasathome，andalone。Buttheauthoritiesofthehotelhesitatedtodisturbherwhentheyfoundthatthevisitordeclinedtomentionhername。Herladyship’snewmaidhappenedtocrossthehallwhilethematterwasstillindebate。

ShewasaFrenchwoman，and，onbeingappealedto，shesettledthequestionintheswift，easy，rationalFrenchway。

’Madame’sappearancewasperfectlyrespectable。MadamemighthavereasonsfornotmentioninghernamewhichMiladimightapprove。

Inanycase，therebeingnoordersforbiddingtheintroductionofastrangelady，thematterclearlyrestedbetweenMadameandMiladi。

WouldMadame，therefore，begoodenoughtofollowMiladi’smaidupthestairs？’

Inspiteofherresolution，Mrs。Ferrari’sheartbeatasifitwouldburstoutofherbosom，whenherconductressledherintoanante-room，andknockedatadooropeningintoaroombeyond。

Butitisremarkablethatpersonsofsensitively-nervousorganisationaretheverypersonswhoarecapableofforcingthemselves（apparentlybytheexerciseofaspasmodiceffortofwill）

intotheperformanceofactsofthemostaudaciouscourage。

Alow，gravevoicefromtheinnerroomsaid，’Comein。’Themaid，openingthedoor，announced，’Apersontoseeyou，Miladi，onbusiness，’

andimmediatelyretired。Intheoneinstantwhiletheseeventspassed，timidlittleMrs。Ferrarimasteredherownthrobbingheart；

steppedoverthethreshold，consciousofherclammyhands，drylips，andburninghead；andstoodinthepresenceofLordMontbarry’swidow，toalloutwardappearanceassupremelyself-possessedasherladyshipherself。

Itwasstillearlyintheafternoon，butthelightintheroomwasdim。

Theblindsweredrawndown。LadyMontbarrysatwithherbacktothewindows，asifeventhesubdueddaylightweredisagreeabletoher。

Shehadalteredsadlyfortheworseinherpersonalappearance，sincethememorabledaywhenDoctorWybrowhadseenherinhisconsulting-room。Herbeautywasgone——herfacehadfallenawaytomereskinandbone；thecontrastbetweenherghastlycomplexionandhersteelyglitteringblackeyeswasmorestartlingthanever。

Robedindismalblack，relievedonlybythebrilliantwhitenessofherwidow’scap——reclininginapanther-likesupplenessofattitudeonalittlegreensofa——shelookedatthestrangerwhohadintrudedonher，withamoment’slanguidcuriosity，thendroppedhereyesagaintothehand-screenwhichsheheldbetweenherfaceandthefire。’Idon’tknowyou，’shesaid。’Whatdoyouwantwithme？’

Mrs。Ferraritriedtoanswer。Herfirstburstofcouragehadalreadywornitselfout。Theboldwordsthatshehaddeterminedtospeakwerelivingwordsstillinhermind，buttheydiedonherlips。

Therewasamomentofsilence。LadyMontbarrylookedroundagainatthespeechlessstranger。’Areyoudeaf？’sheasked。

Therewasanotherpause。LadyMontbarryquietlylookedbackagainatthescreen，andputanotherquestion。’Doyouwantmoney？’

’Money！’Thatonewordrousedthesinkingspiritofthecourier’swife。

Sherecoveredhercourage；shefoundhervoice。’Lookatme，mylady，ifyouplease，’shesaid，withasuddenoutbreakofaudacity。

LadyMontbarrylookedroundforthethirdtime。ThefatalwordspassedMrs。Ferrari’slips。

’Icome，mylady，toacknowledgethereceiptofthemoneysenttoFerrari’swidow。’

LadyMontbarry’sglitteringblackeyesrestedwithsteadyattentiononthewomanwhohadaddressedherinthoseterms。

Notthefaintestexpressionofconfusionoralarm，notevenamomentaryflutterofintereststirredthedeadlystillnessofherface。

Shereposedasquietly，sheheldthescreenascomposedly，asever。

Thetesthadbeentried，andhadutterlyfailed。

Therewasanothersilence。LadyMontbarryconsideredwithherself。

Thesmilethatcameslowlyandwentawaysuddenly——thesmileatoncesosadandsocruel——showeditselfonherthinlips。

Sheliftedherscreen，andpointedwithittoaseatatthefartherendoftheroom。’Besogoodastotakethatchair，’

shesaid。

Helplessunderherfirstbewilderingsenseoffailure——notknowingwhattosayorwhattodonext——Mrs。Ferrarimechanicallyobeyed。

LadyMontbarry，risingonthesofaforthefirsttime，watchedherwithundisguisedscrutinyasshecrossedtheroom——thensankbackintoarecliningpositiononcemore。’No，’shesaidtoherself，’thewomanwalkssteadily；sheisnotintoxicated——theonlyotherpossibilityisthatshemaybemad。’

Shehadspokenloudenoughtobeheard。Stungbytheinsult，Mrs。Ferrariinstantlyansweredher：’Iamnomoredrunkormadthanyouare！’

’No？’saidLadyMontbarry。’Thenyouareonlyinsolent？

TheignorantEnglishmind（Ihaveobserved）isapttobeinsolentintheexerciseofunrestrainedEnglishliberty。Thisisverynoticeabletousforeignersamongyoupeopleinthestreets。OfcourseIcan’tbeinsolenttoyou，inreturn。Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou。

Mymaidwasimprudentinadmittingyousoeasilytomyroom。

Isupposeyourrespectableappearancemisledher。Iwonderwhoyouare？

Youmentionedthenameofacourierwholeftusverystrangely。

Washemarriedbyanychance？Areyouhiswife？Anddoyouknowwhereheis？’

Mrs。Ferrari’sindignationburstitswaythroughallrestraints。

Sheadvancedtothesofa；shefearednothing，inthefervourandrageofherreply。

’Iamhiswidow——andyouknowit，youwickedwoman！

Ah！itwasanevilhourwhenMissLockwoodrecommendedmyhusbandtobehislordship’scourier——！’

Beforeshecouldaddanotherword，LadyMontbarrysprangfromthesofawiththestealthysuddennessofacat——seizedherbybothshoulders——

andshookherwiththestrengthandfrenzyofamadwoman。’Youlie！

youlie！youlie！’Shedroppedherholdatthethirdrepetitionoftheaccusation，andthrewupherhandswildlywithagestureofdespair。

’Oh，JesuMaria！isitpossible？’shecried。’Canthecourierhavecometomethroughthatwoman？’SheturnedlikelightningonMrs。Ferrari，andstoppedherasshewasescapingfromtheroom。

’Stayhere，youfool——stayhere，andanswerme！Ifyoucryout，assureastheheavensareaboveyou，I’llstrangleyouwithmyownhands。

Sitdownagain——andfearnothing。Wretch！ItisIwhoamfrightened——

frightenedoutofmysenses。Confessthatyoulied，whenyouusedMissLockwood’snamejustnow！No！Idon’tbelieveyouonyouroath；

IwillbelievenobodybutMissLockwoodherself。Wheredoesshelive？

Tellmethat，younoxiousstinginglittleinsect——andyoumaygo。’

Terrifiedasshewas，Mrs。Ferrarihesitated。LadyMontbarryliftedherhandsthreateningly，withthelong，lean，yellow-whitefingersoutspreadandcrookedatthetips。Mrs。Ferrarishrankatthesightofthem，andgavetheaddress。LadyMontbarrypointedcontemptuouslytothedoor——thenchangedhermind。’No！notyet！youwilltellMissLockwoodwhathashappened，andshemayrefusetoseeme。

Iwillgothereatonce，andyoushallgowithme。Asfarasthehouse——

notinsideofit。Sitdownagain。Iamgoingtoringformymaid。

Turnyourbacktothedoor——yourcowardlyfaceisnotfittobeseen！’

Sherangthebell。Themaidappeared。

’Mycloakandbonnet——instantly！’

Themaidproducedthecloakandbonnetfromthebedroom。

’Acabatthedoor——beforeIcancountten！’

Themaidvanished。LadyMontbarrysurveyedherselfintheglass，andwheeledroundagain，withhercat-likesuddenness，toMrs。Ferrari。

’Ilookmorethanhalfdeadalready，don’tI？’shesaidwithagrimoutburstofirony。’Givemeyourarm。’

ShetookMrs。Ferrari’sarm，andlefttheroom。’Youhavenothingtofear，solongasyouobey，’shewhispered，onthewaydownstairs。

’YouleavemeatMissLockwood’sdoor，andneverseemeagain。’

Inthehalltheyweremetbythelandladyofthehotel。

LadyMontbarrygraciouslypresentedhercompanion。

’MygoodfriendMrs。Ferrari；Iamsogladtohaveseenher。’

Thelandladyaccompaniedthemtothedoor。Thecabwaswaiting。

’Getinfirst，goodMrs。Ferrari，’saidherladyship；’andtellthemanwheretogo。’

Theyweredrivenaway。LadyMontbarry’svariablehumourchangedagain。

Withalowgroanofmisery，shethrewherselfbackinthecab。

Lostinherowndarkthoughts，ascarelessofthewomanwhomshehadbenttoherironwillasifnosuchpersonsatbyherside，shepreservedasinistersilence，untiltheyreachedthehousewhereMissLockwoodlodged。Inaninstant，sherousedherselftoaction。

Sheopenedthedoorofthecab，andcloseditagainonMrs。Ferrari，beforethedrivercouldgetoffhisbox。

’Takethatladyamilefartheronherwayhome！’shesaid，asshepaidthemanhisfare。Thenextmomentshehadknockedatthehouse-door。’IsMissLockwoodathome？’’Yes，ma’am。’

Shesteppedoverthethreshold——thedoorclosedonher。

’Whichway，ma’am？’askedthedriverofthecab。

Mrs。Ferrariputherhandtoherhead，andtriedtocollectherthoughts。

CouldsheleaveherfriendandbenefactresshelplessatLadyMontbarry’smercy？Shewasstillvainlyendeavouringtodecideonthecoursethatsheoughttofollow——whenagentleman，stoppingatMissLockwood’sdoor，happenedtolooktowardsthecab-window，andsawher。

’AreyougoingtocallonMissAgnestoo？’heasked。

ItwasHenryWestwick。Mrs。Ferrariclaspedherhandsingratitudeassherecognisedhim。

’Goin，sir！’shecried。’Goin，directly。ThatdreadfulwomaniswithMissAgnes。Goandprotecther！’

’Whatwoman？’Henryasked。

Theanswerliterallystruckhimspeechless。Withamazementandindignationinhisface，helookedatMrs。Ferrariasshepronouncedthehatednameof’LadyMontbarry。’’I’llseetoit，’

wasallhesaid。Heknockedatthehouse-door；andhetoo，inhisturn，wasletin。

CHAPTERXI

’LadyMontbarry，Miss。’

Agneswaswritingaletter，whentheservantastonishedherbyannouncingthevisitor’sname。Herfirstimpulsewastorefusetoseethewomanwhohadintrudedonher。ButLadyMontbarryhadtakencaretofollowcloseontheservant’sheels。

BeforeAgnescouldspeak，shehadenteredtheroom。

’Ibegtoapologiseformyintrusion，MissLockwood。

Ihaveaquestiontoaskyou，inwhichIamverymuchinterested。

Noonecananswermebutyourself。’Inlowhesitatingtones，withherglitteringblackeyesbentmodestlyontheground，LadyMontbarryopenedtheinterviewinthosewords。

Withoutanswering，Agnespointedtoachair。Shecoulddothis，and，forthetime，shecoulddonomore。AllthatshehadreadofthehiddenandsinisterlifeinthepalaceatVenice；allthatshehadheardofMontbarry’smelancholydeathandburialinaforeignland；

allthatsheknewofthemysteryofFerrari’sdisappearance，rushedintohermind，whentheblack-robedfigureconfrontedher，standingjustinsidethedoor。ThestrangeconductofLadyMontbarryaddedanewperplexitytothedoubtsandmisgivingsthattroubledher。

TherestoodtheadventuresswhosecharacterhadleftitsmarkonsocietyalloverEurope——theFurywhohadterrifiedMrs。Ferrariatthehotel——inconceivablytransformedintoatimid，shrinkingwoman！

LadyMontbarryhadnotonceventuredtolookatAgnes，sinceshehadmadeherwayintotheroom。Advancingtotakethechairthathadbeenpointedouttoher，shehesitated，putherhandontherailtosupportherself，andstillremainedstanding。

’Pleasegivemeamomenttocomposemyself，’shesaidfaintly。Herheadsankonherbosom：shestoodbeforeAgneslikeaconsciousculpritbeforeamercilessjudge。

Thesilencethatfollowedwas，literally，thesilenceoffearonbothsides。Inthemidstofit，thedoorwasopenedoncemore——

andHenryWestwickappeared。

HelookedatLadyMontbarrywithamoment’ssteadyattention——

bowedtoherwithformalpoliteness——andpassedoninsilence。

Atthesightofherhusband’sbrother，thesinkingspiritofthewomansprangtolifeagain。Herdroopingfigurebecameerect。HereyesmetWestwick’slook，brightlydefiant。Shereturnedhisbowwithanicysmileofcontempt。

HenrycrossedtheroomtoAgnes。

’IsLadyMontbarryherebyyourinvitation？’heaskedquietly。

’No。’

’Doyouwishtoseeher？’

’Itisverypainfultometoseeher。’

Heturnedandlookedathissister-in-law。’Doyouhearthat？’

heaskedcoldly。

’Ihearit，’sheanswered，morecoldlystill。

’Yourvisitis，tosaytheleastofit，ill-timed。’

’Yourinterferenceis，tosaytheleastofit，outofplace。’

Withthatretort，LadyMontbarryapproachedAgnes。ThepresenceofHenryWestwickseemedatoncetorelieveandemboldenher。

’Permitmetoaskmyquestion，MissLockwood，’shesaid，withgracefulcourtesy。’Itisnothingtoembarrassyou。

WhenthecourierFerrariappliedtomylatehusbandforemployment，didyou——’Herresolutionfailedher，beforeshecouldsaymore。

Shesanktremblingintothenearestchair，and，afteramoment’sstruggle，composedherselfagain。’DidyoupermitFerrari，’

sheresumed，’tomakesureofbeingchosenforourcourierbyusingyourname？’

Agnesdidnotreplywithhercustomarydirectness。Triflingasitwas，thereferencetoMontbarry，proceedingfromthatwomanofallothers，confusedandagitatedher。

’IhaveknownFerrari’swifeformanyyears，’shebegan。

’AndItakeaninterest——’

LadyMontbarryabruptlyliftedherhandswithagestureofentreaty。

’Ah，MissLockwood，don’twastetimebytalkingofhiswife！

Answermyplainquestion，plainly！’

’Letmeanswerher，’Henrywhispered。’Iwillundertaketospeakplainlyenough。’

Agnesrefusedbyagesture。LadyMontbarry’sinterruptionhadrousedhersenseofwhatwasduetoherself。Sheresumedherreplyinplainerterms。

’WhenFerrariwrotetothelateLordMontbarry，’shesaid，’hedidcertainlymentionmyname。’

Evennow，shehadinnocentlyfailedtoseetheobjectwhichhervisitorhadinview。LadyMontbarry’simpatiencebecameungovernable。

Shestartedtoherfeet，andadvancedtoAgnes。

’WasitwithyourknowledgeandpermissionthatFerrariusedyourname？’sheasked。’Thewholesoulofmyquestionisinthat。

ForGod’ssakeanswerme——Yes，orNo！’

’Yes。’

ThatonewordstruckLadyMontbarryasablowmighthavestruckher。

Thefiercelifethathadanimatedherfacetheinstantbefore，fadedoutofitsuddenly，andleftherlikeawomanturnedtostone。

Shestood，mechanicallyconfrontingAgnes，withastillnesssowraptandperfectthatnoteventhebreathshedrewwasperceptibletothetwopersonswhowerelookingather。

Henryspoketoherroughly。’Rouseyourself，’hesaid。

’Youhavereceivedyouranswer。’

Shelookedroundathim。’IhavereceivedmySentence，’sherejoined——

andturnedslowlytoleavetheroom。

ToHenry’sastonishment，Agnesstoppedher。’Waitamoment，LadyMontbarry。Ihavesomethingtoaskonmyside。YouhavespokenofFerrari。Iwishtospeakofhimtoo。’

LadyMontbarrybentherheadinsilence。Herhandtrembledasshetookoutherhandkerchief，andpasseditoverherforehead。

Agnesdetectedthetrembling，andshrankbackastep。’Isthesubjectpainfultoyou？’sheaskedtimidly。

Stillsilent，LadyMontbarryinvitedherbyawaveofthehandtogoon。

Henryapproached，attentivelywatchinghissister-in-law。Agneswenton。

’NotraceofFerrarihasbeendiscoveredinEngland，’shesaid。

’Haveyouanynewsofhim？Andwillyoutellme（ifyouhaveheardanything），inmercytohiswife？’

LadyMontbarry’sthinlipssuddenlyrelaxedintotheirsadandcruelsmile。

’Whydoyouaskmeaboutthelostcourier？’shesaid。

’Youwillknowwhathasbecomeofhim，MissLockwood，whenthetimeisripeforit。’

Agnesstarted。’Idon’tunderstandyou，’shesaid。’HowshallIknow？

Willsomeonetellme？’

’Someonewilltellyou。’

Henrycouldkeepsilencenolonger。’Perhaps，yourladyshipmaybetheperson？’heinterruptedwithironicalpoliteness。

Sheansweredhimwithcontemptuousease。’Youmayberight，Mr。Westwick。Onedayoranother，ImaybethepersonwhotellsMissLockwoodwhathasbecomeofFerrari，if——’Shestopped；

withhereyesfixedonAgnes。

’Ifwhat？’Henryasked。

’IfMissLockwoodforcesmetoit。’

Agneslistenedinastonishment。’Forceyoutoit？’sherepeated。

’HowcanIdothat？Doyoumeantosaymywillisstrongerthanyours？’

’Doyoumeantosaythatthecandledoesn’tburnthemoth，whenthemothfliesintoit？’LadyMontbarryrejoined。’Haveyoueverheardofsuchathingasthefascinationofterror？Iamdrawntoyoubyafascinationofterror。Ihavenorighttovisityou，Ihavenowishtovisityou：youaremyenemy。Forthefirsttimeinmylife，againstmyownwill，Isubmittomyenemy。See！Iamwaitingbecauseyoutoldmetowait——andthefearofyou（Iswearit！）

creepsthroughmewhileIstandhere。Oh，don’tletmeexciteyourcuriosityoryourpity！FollowtheexampleofMr。Westwick。

Behardandbrutalandunforgiving，likehim。Grantmemyrelease。

Tellmetogo。’

ThefrankandsimplenatureofAgnescoulddiscoverbutoneintelligiblemeaninginthisstrangeoutbreak。

’Youaremistakeninthinkingmeyourenemy，’shesaid。

’ThewrongyoudidmewhenyougaveyourhandtoLordMontbarrywasnotintentionallydone。Iforgaveyoumysufferingsinhislifetime。

Iforgiveyouevenmorefreelynowthathehasgone。’

Henryheardherwithmingledemotionsofadmirationanddistress。

’Saynomore！’heexclaimed。’Youaretoogoodtoher；sheisnotworthyofit。’

TheinterruptionpassedunheededbyLadyMontbarry。ThesimplewordsinwhichAgneshadrepliedseemedtohaveabsorbedthewholeattentionofthisstrangely-changeablewoman。Asshelistened，herfacesettledslowlyintoanexpressionofhardandtearlesssorrow。

Therewasamarkedchangeinhervoicewhenshespokenext。

Itexpressedthatlastworstresignationwhichhasdonewithhope。

’Yougoodinnocentcreature，’shesaid，’whatdoesyouramiableforgivenessmatter？Whatareyourpoorlittlewrongs，inthereckoningforgreaterwrongswhichisdemandedofme？

Iamnottryingtofrightenyou，Iamonlymiserableaboutmyself。

Doyouknowwhatitistohaveafirmpresentimentofcalamitythatiscomingtoyou——andyettohopethatyourownpositiveconvictionwillnotprovetrue？WhenIfirstmetyou，beforemymarriage，andfirstfeltyourinfluenceoverme，Ihadthathope。

Itwasastarvelingsortofhopethatlivedalingeringlifeinmeuntilto-day。Youstruckitdead，whenyouansweredmyquestionaboutFerrari。’

’HowhaveIdestroyedyourhopes？’Agnesasked。’WhatconnectionistherebetweenmypermittingFerraritousemynametoLordMontbarry，andthestrangeanddreadfulthingsyouaresayingtomenow？’

’Thetimeisnear，MissLockwood，whenyouwilldiscoverthatforyourself。Inthemeanwhile，youshallknowwhatmyfearofyouis，intheplainestwordsIcanfind。OnthedaywhenItookyourherofromyouandblightedyourlife——Iamfirmlypersuadedofit！——

youweremadetheinstrumentoftheretributionthatmysinsofmanyyearshaddeserved。Oh，suchthingshavehappenedbeforeto-day！Onepersonhas，beforenow，beenthemeansofinnocentlyripeningthegrowthofevilinanother。Youhavedonethatalready——

andyouhavemoretodoyet。Youhavestilltobringmetothedayofdiscovery，andtothepunishmentthatismydoom。Weshallmeetagain——hereinEngland，orthereinVenicewheremyhusbanddied——

andmeetforthelasttime。’

Inspiteofherbettersense，inspiteofhernaturalsuperioritytosuperstitionsofallkinds，Agneswasimpressedbytheterribleearnestnesswithwhichthosewordswerespoken。

SheturnedpaleasshelookedatHenry。’Doyouunderstandher？’

sheasked。

’Nothingiseasierthantounderstandher，’herepliedcontemptuously。

’SheknowswhathasbecomeofFerrari；andsheisconfusingyouinacloudofnonsense，becauseshedaren’townthetruth。

Lethergo！’

Ifadoghadbeenunderoneofthechairs，andhadbarked，LadyMontbarrycouldnothaveproceededmoreimpenetrablywiththelastwordsshehadtosaytoAgnes。

’AdviseyourinterestingMrs。Ferraritowaitalittlelonger，’

shesaid。’Youwillknowwhathasbecomeofherhusband，andyouwilltellher。Therewillbenothingtoalarmyou。Sometriflingeventwillbringustogetherthenexttime——astrifling，Idaresay，astheengagementofFerrari。Sadnonsense，Mr。Westwick，isitnot？

Butyoumakeallowancesforwomen；wealltalknonsense。Goodmorning，MissLockwood。’

Sheopenedthedoor——suddenly，asifshewasafraidofbeingcalledbackforthesecondtime——andleftthem。

CHAPTERXII

’Doyouthinksheismad？’Agnesasked。

’Ithinksheissimplywicked。False，superstitious，inveteratelycruel——

butnotmad。Ibelievehermainmotiveincomingherewastoenjoytheluxuryoffrighteningyou。’

’Shehasfrightenedme。Iamashamedtoownit——butsoitis。’

Henrylookedather，hesitatedforamoment，andseatedhimselfonthesofabyherside。

’Iamveryanxiousaboutyou，Agnes，’hesaid。’Butforthefortunatechancewhichledmetocallhereto-day——whoknowswhatthatvilewomanmightnothavesaidordone，ifshehadfoundyoualone？

Mydear，youareleadingasadlyunprotectedsolitarylife。

Idon’tliketothinkofit；Iwanttoseeitchanged——especiallyafterwhathashappenedto-day。No！no！itisuselesstotellmethatyouhaveyouroldnurse。Sheistooold；sheisnotinyourrankoflife——thereisnosufficientprotectioninthecompanionshipofsuchapersonforaladyinyourposition。Don’tmistakeme，Agnes！whatIsay，Isayinthesincerityofmydevotiontoyou。’

Hepaused，andtookherhand。Shemadeafeebleefforttowithdrawit——

andyielded。’Willthedaynevercome，’hepleaded，’whentheprivilegeofprotectingyoumaybemine？whenyouwillbetheprideandjoyofmylife，aslongasmylifelasts？’Hepressedherhandgently。

Shemadenoreply。Thecolourcameandwentonherface；hereyeswereturnedawayfromhim。’HaveIbeensounhappyastooffendyou？’

heasked。

Sheansweredthat——shesaid，almostinawhisper，’No。’

’HaveIdistressedyou？’

’Youhavemademethinkofthesaddaysthataregone。’Shesaidnomore；

sheonlytriedtowithdrawherhandfromhisforthesecondtime。

Hestillheldit；heliftedittohislips。

’CanInevermakeyouthinkofotherdaysthanthose——ofthehappierdaystocome？Or，ifyoumustthinkofthetimethatispassed，canyounotlookbacktothetimewhenIfirstlovedyou？’

Shesighedasheputthequestion。’SparemeHenry，’sheansweredsadly。

’Saynomore！’

Thecolouragainroseinhercheeks；herhandtrembledinhis。

Shelookedlovely，withhereyescastdownandherbosomheavinggently。

Atthatmomenthewouldhavegiveneverythinghehadintheworldtotakeherinhisarmsandkissher。Somemysterioussympathy，passingfromhishandtohers，seemedtotellherwhatwasinhismind。

Shesnatchedherhandaway，andsuddenlylookedupathim。

Thetearswereinhereyes。Shesaidnothing；shelethereyesspeakforher。Theywarnedhim——withoutanger，withoutunkindness——

butstilltheywarnedhimtopresshernofurtherthatday。

’OnlytellmethatIamforgiven，’hesaid，asherosefromthesofa。

’Yes，’sheansweredquietly，’youareforgiven。’

’Ihavenotloweredmyselfinyourestimation，Agnes？’

’Oh，no！’

’Doyouwishmetoleaveyou？’

Sherose，inherturn，fromthesofa，andwalkedtoherwriting-tablebeforeshereplied。TheunfinishedletterwhichshehadbeenwritingwhenLadyMontbarryinterruptedher，layopenontheblotting-book。

Asshelookedattheletter，andthenlookedatHenry，thesmilethatcharmedeverybodyshoweditselfinherface。

’Youmustnotgojustyet，’shesaid：’Ihavesomethingtotellyou。

Ihardlyknowhowtoexpressit。Theshortestwayperhapswillbetoletyoufinditoutforyourself。Youhavebeenspeakingofmylonelyunprotectedlifehere。Itisnotaveryhappylife，Henry——Iownthat。’

Shepaused，observingthegrowinganxietyofhisexpressionashelookedather，withashysatisfactionthatperplexedhim。

’DoyouknowthatIhaveanticipatedyouridea？’shewenton。

’Iamgoingtomakeagreatchangeinmylife——ifyourbrotherStephenandhiswifewillonlyconsenttoit。’Sheopenedthedeskofthewriting-tablewhileshespoke，tookaletterout，andhandedittoHenry。

Hereceiveditfromhermechanically。Vaguedoubts，whichhehardlyunderstoodhimself，kepthimsilent。Itwasimpossiblethatthe’changeinherlife’ofwhichshehadspokencouldmeanthatshewasabouttobemarried——andyethewasconsciousofaperfectlyunreasonablereluctancetoopentheletter。Theireyesmet；shesmiledagain。

’Lookattheaddress，’shesaid。’Yououghttoknowthehandwriting——

butIdaresayyoudon’t。’

Helookedattheaddress。Itwasinthelarge，irregular，uncertainwritingofachild。Heopenedtheletterinstantly。

’DearAuntAgnes，——Ourgovernessisgoingaway。Shehashadmoneylefttoher，andahouseofherown。Wehavehadcakeandwinetodrinkherhealth。Youpromisedtobeourgovernessifwewantedanother。Wewantyou。Mammaknowsnothingaboutthis。

PleasecomebeforeMammacangetanothergoverness。YourlovingLucy，whowritesthis。ClaraandBlanchehavetriedtowritetoo。

Buttheyaretooyoungtodoit。Theyblotthepaper。’

’Youreldestniece，’Agnesexplained，asHenrylookedatherinamazement。

’ThechildrenusedtocallmeauntwhenIwasstayingwiththeirmotherinIreland，intheautumn。Thethreegirlsweremyinseparablecompanions——theyarethemostcharmingchildrenIknow。

ItisquitetruethatIofferedtobetheirgoverness，iftheyeverwantedone，onthedaywhenIleftthemtoreturntoLondon。

Iwaswritingtoproposeittotheirmother，justbeforeyoucame。’

’Notseriously！’Henryexclaimed。

Agnesplacedherunfinishedletterinhishand。EnoughofithadbeenwrittentoshowthatshedidseriouslyproposetoenterthehouseholdofMr。andMrs。StephenWestwickasgovernesstotheirchildren！

Henry’sbewildermentwasnottobeexpressedinwords。

’Theywon’tbelieveyouareinearnest，’hesaid。

’Whynot？’Agnesaskedquietly。

’YouaremybrotherStephen’scousin；youarehiswife’soldfriend。’

’Allthemorereason，Henry，fortrustingmewiththechargeoftheirchildren。’

’Butyouaretheirequal；youarenotobligedtogetyourlivingbyteaching。Thereissomethingabsurdinyourenteringtheirserviceasagoverness！’

’Whatisthereabsurdinit？Thechildrenloveme；themotherlovesme；

thefatherhasshownmeinnumerableinstancesofhistruefriendshipandregard。Iamtheverywomanfortheplace——and，astomyeducation，Imusthavecompletelyforgottenitindeed，ifIamnotfittoteachthreechildrentheeldestofwhomisonlyelevenyearsold。

YousayIamtheirequal。Aretherenootherwomenwhoserveasgovernesses，andwhoaretheequalsofthepersonswhomtheyserve？Besides，Idon’tknowthatIamtheirequal。

HaveInotheardthatyourbrotherStephenwasthenextheirtothetitle？Willhenotbethenewlord？Nevermindansweringme！

Wewon’tdisputewhetherImnrightorwronginturninggoverness——

wewillwaittheevent。Iamwearyofmylonelyuselessexistencehere，andeagertomakemylifemorehappyandmoreuseful，inthehouseholdofallothersinwhichIshouldlikemosttohaveaplace。

Ifyouwilllookagain，youwillseethatIhavethesepersonalconsiderationsstilltourgebeforeIfinishmyletter。

Youdon’tknowyourbrotherandhiswifeaswellasIdo，ifyoudoubttheiranswer。IbelievetheyhavecourageenoughandheartenoughtosayYes。’

Henrysubmittedwithoutbeingconvinced。

Hewasamanwhodislikedalleccentricdeparturesfromcustomandroutine；

andhefeltespeciallysuspiciousofthechangeproposedinthelifeofAgnes。Withnewintereststooccupyhermind，shemightbelessfavourablydisposedtolistentohim，onthenextoccasionwhenheurgedhissuit。Theinfluenceofthe’lonelyuselessexistence’

ofwhichshecomplained，wasdistinctlyaninfluenceinhisfavour。

Whileherheartwasempty，herheartwasaccessible。

Butwithhisniecesinfullpossessionofit，thecloudsofdoubtovershadowedhisprospects。Heknewthesexwellenoughtokeepthesepurelyselfishperplexitiestohimself。ThewaitingpolicywasespeciallythepolicytopursuewithawomanassensitiveasAgnes。

Ifheonceoffendedherdelicacyhewaslost。Forthemomenthewiselycontrolledhimselfandchangedthesubject。

’Mylittleniece’sletterhashadaneffect，’hesaid，’whichthechildnevercontemplatedinwritingit。ShehasjustremindedmeofoneoftheobjectsthatIhadincallingonyouto-day。’

Agneslookedatthechild’sletter。’HowdoesLucydothat？’

sheasked。

’Lucy’sgovernessisnottheonlyluckypersonwhohashadmoneylefther，’Henryanswered。’Isyouroldnurseinthehouse？’

’Youdon’tmeantosaythatnursehasgotalegacy？’

’Shehasgotahundredpounds。Sendforher，Agnes，whileIshowyoutheletter。’

Hetookahandfuloflettersfromhispocket，andlookedthroughthem，whileAgnesrangthebell。Returningtohim，shenoticedaprintedletteramongtherest，whichlayopenonthetable。Itwasa’prospectus，’andthetitleofitwas’PalaceHotelCompanyofVenice（Limited）。’Thetwowords，’Palace’and’Venice，’instantlyrecalledhermindtotheunwelcomevisitofLadyMontbarry。’Whatisthat？’

sheasked，pointingtothetitle。

Henrysuspendedhissearch，andglancedattheprospectus。

’Areallypromisingspeculation，’hesaid。’Largehotelsalwayspaywell，iftheyarewellmanaged。Iknowthemanwhoisappointedtobemanagerofthishotelwhenitisopenedtothepublic；

andIhavesuchentireconfidenceinhimthatIhavebecomeoneoftheshareholdersoftheCompany。’

ThereplydidnotappeartosatisfyAgnes。’Whyisthehotelcalledthe"PalaceHotel"？’sheinquired。

Henrylookedather，andatoncepenetratedhermotiveforaskingthequestion。’Yes，’hesaid，’itisthepalacethatMontbarryhiredatVenice；andithasbeenpurchasedbytheCompanytobechangedintoanhotel。’

Agnesturnedawayinsilence，andtookachairatthefartherendoftheroom。Henryhaddisappointedher。Hisincomeasayoungersonstoodinneed，asshewellknew，ofalltheadditionsthathecouldmaketoitbysuccessfulspeculation。Butshewasunreasonableenough，nevertheless，todisapproveofhisattemptingtomakemoneyalreadyoutofthehouseinwhichhisbrotherhaddied。

Incapableofunderstandingthispurelysentimentalviewofaplainmatterofbusiness，Henryreturnedtohispapers，insomeperplexityatthesuddenchangeinthemannerofAgnestowardshim。

Justashefoundtheletterofwhichhewasinsearch，thenursemadeherappearance。HeglancedatAgnes，expectingthatshewouldspeakfirst。Sheneverevenlookedupwhenthenursecamein。

ItwaslefttoHenrytotelltheoldwomanwhythebellhadsummonedhertothedrawing-room。

’Well，nurse，’hesaid，’youhavehadawindfallofluck。

Youhavehadalegacyleftyouofahundredpounds。’

Thenurseshowednooutwardsignsofexultation。Shewaitedalittletogettheannouncementofthelegacywellsettledinhermind——

andthenshesaidquietly，’MasterHenry，whogivesmethatmoney，ifyouplease？’

’Mylatebrother，LordMontbarry，givesittoyou。’（Agnesinstantlylookedup，interestedinthematterforthefirsttime。Henrywenton。）

’Hiswillleaveslegaciestothesurvivingoldservantsofthefamily。

Thereisaletterfromhislawyers，authorisingyoutoapplytothemforthemoney。’

Ineveryclassofsociety，gratitudeistherarestofallhumanvirtues。

Inthenurse’sclassitisextremelyrare。Heropinionofthemanwhohaddeceivedanddesertedhermistressremainedthesameopinionstill，perfectlyundisturbedbythepassingcircumstanceofthelegacy。

’Iwonderwhoremindedmylordoftheoldservants？’shesaid。

’Hewouldneverhaveheartenoughtorememberthemhimself！’

Agnessuddenlyinterposed。Nature，alwaysabhorringmonotony，institutesreservesoftemperaselementsinthecompositionofthegentlestwomenliving。EvenAgnescould，onrareoccasions，beangry。

Thenurse’sviewofMontbarry’scharacterseemedtohaveprovokedherbeyondendurance。

’Ifyouhaveanysenseofshameinyou，’shebrokeout，’yououghttobeashamedofwhatyouhavejustsaid！Youringratitudedisgustsme。

Ileaveyoutospeakwithher，Henry——youwon’tmindit！’

Withthissignificantintimationthathetoohaddroppedoutofhiscustomaryplaceinhergoodopinion，shelefttheroom。

Thenursereceivedthesmartreproofadministeredtoherwitheveryappearanceoffeelingratheramusedbyitthannot。

Whenthedoorhadclosed，thisfemalephilosopherwinkedatHenry。

’There’sapowerofobstinacyinyoungwomen，’sheremarked。

’MissAgneswouldn’tgivemylordupasabadone，evenwhenhejiltedher。Andnowshe’ssweetonhimafterhe’sdead。

Sayawordagainsthim，andshefiresupasyousee。Allobstinacy！

Itwillwearoutwithtime。Sticktoher，MasterHenry——

sticktoher！’

’Shedoesn’tseemtohaveoffendedyou，’saidHenry。

’She？’thenurserepeatedinamazement——’sheoffendme？

Ilikeherinhertantrums；itremindsmeofherwhenshewasababy。