第7章

Iamfilledwithpresentimentswhichmakethiswickedlifeofmineonelongterrortome。Itdoesn’tmatter，justnow，whattheyare。

Enoughthattheyabsolutelygovernme——theydrivemeoverlandandseaattheirownhorriblewill；theyareinme，andtorturingme，atthismoment！Whydon’tIresistthem？Ha！butIdoresistthem。

Iamtrying（withthehelpofthegoodpunch）toresistthemnow。

AtintervalsIcultivatethedifficultvirtueofcommonsense。

Sometimes，soundsensemakesahopefulwomanofme。Atonetime，Ihadthehopethatwhatseemedrealitytomewasonlymaddelusion，afterall——IevenaskedthequestionofanEnglishdoctor！

Atothertimes，othersensibledoubtsofmyselfbesetme。

Neverminddwellingonthemnow——italwaysendsintheoldterrorsandsuperstitionstakingpossessionofmeagain。Inaweek’stime，IshallknowwhetherDestinydoesindeeddecidemyfutureforme，orwhetherIdecideitformyself。Inthelastcase，myresolutionistoabsorbthisself-tormentingfancyofmineintheoccupationthatIhavetoldyouofalready。Doyouunderstandmealittlebetternow？And，ourbusinessbeingsettled，dearMr。Westwick，shallwegetoutofthishotroomintothenicecoolairagain？’

Theyrosetoleavethecafe。FrancisprivatelyconcludedthatthemaraschinopunchofferedtheonlydiscoverableexplanationofwhattheCountesshadsaidtohim。

CHAPTERXX

’ShallIseeyouagain？’sheasked，assheheldoutherhandtotakeleave。’Itisquiteunderstoodbetweenus，Isuppose，abouttheplay？’

Francisrecalledhisextraordinaryexperienceofthateveninginthere-numberedroom。’MystayinVeniceisuncertain，’hereplied。

’Ifyouhaveanythingmoretosayaboutthisdramaticventureofyours，itmaybeaswelltosayitnow。Haveyoudecidedonasubjectalready？

IknowthepublictasteinEnglandbetterthanyoudo——Imightsaveyousomewasteoftimeandtrouble，ifyouhavenotchosenyoursubjectwisely。’

’Idon’tcarewhatsubjectIwriteabout，solongasIwrite，’

sheansweredcarelessly。’Ifyouhavegotasubjectinyourhead，giveittome。Ianswerforthecharactersandthedialogue。’

’Youanswerforthecharactersandthedialogue，’Francisrepeated。

’That’saboldwayofspeakingforabeginner！IwonderifI

shouldshakeyoursublimeconfidenceinyourself，ifIsuggestedthemostticklishsubjecttohandlewhichisknowntothestage？

Whatdoyousay，Countess，toenteringthelistswithShakespeare，andtryingadramawithaghostinit？Atruestory，mind！foundedoneventsinthisverycityinwhichyouandIareinterested。’

Shecaughthimbythearm，anddrewhimawayfromthecrowdedcolonnadeintothesolitarymiddlespaceofthesquare。

’Nowtellme！’shesaideagerly。’Here，wherenobodyisnearus。

HowamIinterestedinit？How？how？’

Stillholdinghisarm，sheshookhiminherimpatiencetohearthecomingdisclosure。Foramomenthehesitated。Thusfar，amusedbyherignorantbeliefinherself，hehadmerelyspokeninjest。

Now，forthefirsttime，impressedbyherirresistibleearnestness，hebegantoconsiderwhathewasaboutfromamoreseriouspointofview。

Withherknowledgeofallthathadpassedintheoldpalace，beforeitstransformationintoanhotel，itwassurelypossiblethatshemightsuggestsomeexplanationofwhathadhappenedtohisbrother，andsister，andhimself。Or，failingtodothis，shemightaccidentallyrevealsomeeventinherownexperiencewhich，actingasahinttoacompetentdramatist，mightprovetobethemakingofaplay。

Theprosperityofhistheatrewashisoneseriousobjectinlife。

’Imaybeonthetraceofanother"CorsicanBrothers，"’hethought。

’Anewpieceofthatsortwouldbetenthousandpoundsinmypocket，atleast。’

Withthesemotives（worthyofthesingle-hearteddevotiontodramaticbusinesswhichmadeFrancisasuccessfulmanager）

herelated，withoutfurtherhesitation，whathisownexperiencehadbeen，andwhattheexperienceofhisrelativeshadbeen，inthehauntedhotel。HeevendescribedtheoutbreakofsuperstitiousterrorwhichhadescapedMrs。Norbury’signorantmaid。

’Sadstuff，ifyoulookatitreasonably，’heremarked。

’Butthereissomethingdramaticinthenotionoftheghostlyinfluencemakingitselffeltbytherelationsinsuccession，astheyoneafteranotherenterthefatalroom——untiltheonechosenrelativecomeswhowillseetheUnearthlyCreature，andknowtheterribletruth。

Materialforaplay，Countess——first-ratematerialforaplay！’

Therehepaused。Sheneithermovednorspoke。Hestoopedandlookedcloserather。

Whatimpressionhadheproduced？Itwasanimpressionwhichhisutmostingenuityhadfailedtoanticipate。Shestoodbyhisside——

justasshehadstoodbeforeAgneswhenherquestionaboutFerrariwasplainlyansweredatlast——likeawomanturnedtostone。

Hereyeswerevacantandrigid；allthelifeinherfacehadfadedoutofit。Francistookherbythehand。Herhandwasascoldasthepavementthattheywerestandingon。Heaskedherifshewasill。

Notamuscleinhermoved。Hemightaswellhavespokentothedead。

’Surely，’hesaid，’youarenotfoolishenoughtotakewhatI

havebeentellingyouseriously？’

Herlipsmovedslowly。Asitseemed，shewasmakinganefforttospeaktohim。

’Louder，’hesaid。’Ican’thearyou。’

Shestruggledtorecoverpossessionofherself。Afaintlightbegantosoftenthedullcoldstareofhereyes。Inamomentmoreshespokesothathecouldhearher。

’Ineverthoughtoftheotherworld，’shemurmured，inlowdulltones，likeawomantalkinginhersleep。

HermindhadgonebacktothedayofherlastmemorableinterviewwithAgnes；shewasslowlyrecallingtheconfessionthathadescapedher，thewarningwordswhichshehadspokenatthatpasttime。

Necessarilyincapableofunderstandingthis，Francislookedatherinperplexity。Shewentoninthesamedullvacanttone，steadilyfollowingoutherowntrainofthought，withherheedlesseyesonhisface，andherwanderingmindfarawayfromhim。

’Isaidsometriflingeventwouldbringustogetherthenexttime。

Iwaswrong。Notriflingeventwillbringustogether。

IsaidImightbethepersonwhotoldherwhathadbecomeofFerrari，ifsheforcedmetoit。ShallIfeelsomeotherinfluencethanhers？

Willheforcemetoit？Whensheseeshim，shallIseehimtoo？’

Herheadsankalittle；herheavyeyelidsdroppedslowly；

sheheavedalonglowwearysigh。Francisputherarminhis，andmadeanattempttorouseher。

’Come，Countess，youarewearyandover-wrought。Wehavehadenoughtalkingto-night。Letmeseeyousafebacktoyourhotel。

Isitfarfromhere？’

Shestartedwhenhemoved，andobligedhertomovewithhim，asifhehadsuddenlyawakenedheroutofadeepsleep。

’Notfar，’shesaidfaintly。’Theoldhotelonthequay。

Mymind’sinastrangestate；Ihaveforgottenthename。’

’Danieli’s？’

’Yes！’

Heledheronslowly。SheaccompaniedhiminsilenceasfarastheendofthePiazzetta。There，whenthefullviewofthemoonlitLagoonrevealeditself，shestoppedhimasheturnedtowardstheRivadegliSchiavoni。’Ihavesomethingtoaskyou。

Iwanttowaitandthink。’

Sherecoveredherlostidea，afteralongpause。

’Areyougoingtosleepintheroomto-night？’sheasked。

Hetoldherthatanothertravellerwasinpossessionoftheroomthatnight。’Butthemanagerhasreserveditformeto-morrow，’

headded，’ifIwishtohaveit。’

’No，’shesaid。’Youmustgiveitup。’

’Towhom？’

’Tome！’

Hestarted。’AfterwhatIhavetoldyou，doyoureallywishtosleepinthatroomto-morrownight？’

’Imustsleepinit。’

’Areyounotafraid？’

’Iamhorriblyafraid。’

’SoIshouldhavethought，afterwhatIhaveobservedinyouto-night。

Whyshouldyoutaketheroom？youarenotobligedtooccupyit，unlessyoulike。’

’IwasnotobligedtogotoVenice，whenIleftAmerica，’sheanswered。

’AndyetIcamehere。Imusttaketheroom，andkeeptheroom，until——’

Shebrokeoffatthosewords。’Nevermindtherest，’shesaid。

’Itdoesn’tinterestyou。’

Itwasuselesstodisputewithher。Francischangedthesubject。

’Wecandonothingto-night，’hesaid。’Iwillcallonyouto-morrowmorning，andhearwhatyouthinkofitthen。’

Theymovedonagaintothehotel。Astheyapproachedthedoor，FrancisaskedifshewasstayinginVeniceunderherownname。

Sheshookherhead。’Asyourbrother’swidow，Iamknownhere。

AsCountessNarona，Iamknownhere。Iwanttobeunknown，thistime，tostrangersinVenice；IamtravellingunderacommonEnglishname。’

Shehesitated，andstoodstill。’Whathascometome？’

shemutteredtoherself。’SomethingsIremember；andsomeIforget。

IforgotDanieli’s——andnowIforgetmyEnglishname。’

Shedrewhimhurriedlyintothehallofthehotel，onthewallofwhichhungalistofvisitors’names。Runningherfingerslowlydownthelist，shepointedtotheEnglishnamethatshehadassumed：——’Mrs。James。’

’Rememberthatwhenyoucallto-morrow，’shesaid。’Myheadisheavy。

Goodnight。’

Franciswentbacktohisownhotel，wonderingwhattheeventsofthenextdaywouldbringforth。Anewturninhisaffairshadtakenplaceinhisabsence。Ashecrossedthehall，hewasrequestedbyoneoftheservantstowalkintotheprivateoffice。

Themanagerwaswaitingtherewithagravelypre-occupiedmanner，asifhehadsomethingserioustosay。HeregrettedtohearthatMr。FrancisWestwickhad，likeothermembersofthefamily，discoveredserioussourcesofdiscomfortinthenewhotel。

HehadbeeninformedinstrictconfidenceofMr。Westwick’sextraordinaryobjectiontotheatmosphereofthebedroomupstairs。

Withoutpresumingtodiscussthematter，hemustbegtobeexcusedfromreservingtheroomforMr。Westwickafterwhathadhappened。

Francisansweredsharply，alittleruffledbythetoneinwhichthemanagerhadspokentohim。’Imight，verypossibly，havedeclinedtosleepintheroom，ifyouhadreservedit，’hesaid。

’Doyouwishmetoleavethehotel？’

Themanagersawtheerrorthathehadcommitted，andhastenedtorepairit。’Certainlynot，sir！Wewilldoourbesttomakeyoucomfortablewhileyoustaywithus。Ibegyourpardon，ifIhavesaidanythingtooffendyou。Thereputationofanestablishmentlikethisisamatterofveryseriousimportance。

MayIhopethatyouwilldousthegreatfavourtosaynothingaboutwhathashappenedupstairs？ThetwoFrenchgentlemenhavekindlypromisedtokeepitasecret。’

ThisapologyleftFrancisnopolitealternativebuttograntthemanager’srequest。’ThereisanendtotheCountess’swildscheme，’hethoughttohimself，asheretiredforthenight。

’SomuchthebetterfortheCountess！’

Heroselatethenextmorning。InquiringforhisParisianfriends，hewasinformedthatboththeFrenchgentlemenhadleftforMilan。

Ashecrossedthehall，onhiswaytotherestaurant，henoticedtheheadporterchalkingthenumbersoftheroomsonsomearticlesofluggagewhichwerewaitingtogoupstairs。

Onetrunkattractedhisattentionbytheextraordinarynumberofoldtravellinglabelsleftonit。Theporterwasmarkingitatthemoment——andthenumberwas，’13A。’Francisinstantlylookedatthecardfastenedonthelid。ItborethecommonEnglishname，’Mrs。James’！Heatonceinquiredaboutthelady。Shehadarrivedearlythatmorning，andshewasthenintheReadingRoom。

Lookingintotheroom，hediscoveredaladyinitalone。

Advancingalittlenearer，hefoundhimselffacetofacewiththeCountess。

Shewasseatedinadarkcorner，withherheaddownandherarmscrossedoverherbosom。’Yes，’shesaid，inatoneofwearyimpatience，beforeFranciscouldspeaktoher。’Ithoughtitbestnottowaitforyou——Ideterminedtogetherebeforeanybodyelsecouldtaketheroom。’

’Haveyoutakenitforlong？’Francisasked。

’YoutoldmeMissLockwoodwouldbehereinaweek’stime。

Ihavetakenitforaweek。’

’WhathasMissLockwoodtodowithit？’

’Shehaseverythingtodowithit——shemustsleepintheroom。

Ishallgivetheroomuptoherwhenshecomeshere。’

Francisbegantounderstandthesuperstitiouspurposethatshehadinview。’Areyou（aneducatedwoman）reallyofthesameopinionasmysister’smaid！’heexclaimed。’Assumingyourabsurdsuperstitiontobeaseriousthing，youaretakingthewrongmeanstoproveittrue。IfIandmybrotherandsisterhaveseennothing，howshouldAgnesLockwooddiscoverwhatwasnotrevealedtous？

SheisonlydistantlyrelatedtotheMontbarrys——sheisonlyourcousin。’

’ShewasnearertotheheartoftheMontbarrywhoisdeadthananyofyou，’theCountessansweredsternly。’Tothelastdayofhislife，mymiserablehusbandrepentedhisdesertionofher。

Shewillseewhatnoneofyouhaveseen——sheshallhavetheroom。’

Francislistened，utterlyatalosstoaccountforthemotivesthatanimatedher。’Idon’tseewhatinterestyouhaveintryingthisextraordinaryexperiment，’hesaid。

’Itismyinterestnottotryit！ItismyinteresttoflyfromVenice，andneverseteyesonAgnesLockwoodoranyofyourfamilyagain！’

’Whatpreventsyoufromdoingthat？’

Shestartedtoherfeetandlookedathimwildly。’Iknownomorewhatpreventsmethanyoudo！’sheburstout。’Somewillthatisstrongerthanminedrivesmeontomydestruction，inspiteofmyownself！’

Shesuddenlysatdownagain，andwavedherhandforhimtogo。

’Leaveme，’shesaid。’Leavemetomythoughts。’

Francislefther，firmlypersuadedbythistimethatshewasoutofhersenses。Fortherestoftheday，hesawnothingofher。

Thenight，sofarasheknew，passedquietly。Thenextmorninghebreakfastedearly，determiningtowaitintherestaurantfortheappearanceoftheCountess。Shecameinandorderedherbreakfastquietly，lookingdullandwornandself-absorbed，asshehadlookedwhenhelastsawher。Hehastenedtohertable，andaskedifanythinghadhappenedinthenight。

’Nothing，’sheanswered。

’Youhaverestedaswellasusual？’

’Quiteaswellasusual。Haveyouhadanylettersthismorning？

Haveyouheardwhensheiscoming？’

’Ihavehadnoletters。Areyoureallygoingtostayhere？

Hasyourexperienceoflastnightnotalteredtheopinionwhichyouexpressedtomeyesterday？’

’Notintheleast。’

ThemomentarygleamofanimationwhichhadcrossedherfacewhenshequestionedhimaboutAgnes，diedoutofitagainwhenheansweredher。

Shelooked，shespoke，sheeatherbreakfast，withavacantresignation，likeawomanwhohaddonewithhopes，donewithinterests，donewitheverythingbutthemechanicalmovementsandinstinctsoflife。

Franciswentout，onthecustomarytravellers’pilgrimagetotheshrinesofTitianandTintoret。Aftersomehoursofabsence，hefoundaletterwaitingforhimwhenhegotbacktothehotel。

ItwaswrittenbyhisbrotherHenry，anditrecommendedhimtoreturntoMilanimmediately。TheproprietorofaFrenchtheatre，recentlyarrivedfromVenice，wastryingtoinducethefamousdancerwhomFrancishadengagedtobreakfaithwithhimandacceptahighersalary。

Havingmadethisstartlingannouncement，HenryproceededtoinformhisbrotherthatLordandLadyMontbarry，withAgnesandthechildren，wouldarriveinVeniceinthreedaysmore。’Theyknownothingofouradventuresatthehotel，’Henrywrote；’andtheyhavetelegraphedtothemanagerfortheaccommodationthattheywant。

TherewouldbesomethingabsurdlysuperstitiousinourgivingthemawarningwhichwouldfrightentheladiesandchildrenoutofthebesthotelinVenice。Weshallbeastrongpartythistime——toostrongapartyforghosts！Ishallmeetthetravellersontheirarrival，ofcourse，andtrymyluckagainatwhatyoucalltheHauntedHotel。

ArthurBarvilleandhiswifehavealreadygotasfarontheirwayasTrent；

andtwoofthelady’srelationshavearrangedtoaccompanythemonthejourneytoVenice。’

NaturallyindignantattheconductofhisParisiancolleague，FrancismadehispreparationsforreturningtoMilanbythetrainofthatday。

Onhiswayout，heaskedthemanagerifhisbrother’stelegramhadbeenreceived。Thetelegramhadarrived，and，tothesurpriseofFrancis，theroomswerealreadyreserved。’Ithoughtyouwouldrefusetoletanymoreofthefamilyintothehouse，’hesaidsatirically。

Themanageranswered（withtheduedashofrespect）inthesametone。

’Number13Aissafe，sir，intheoccupationofastranger。

IamtheservantoftheCompany；andIdarenotturnmoneyoutofthehotel。’

Hearingthis，Francissaidgood-bye——andsaidnothingmore。

Hewasashamedtoacknowledgeittohimself，buthefeltanirresistiblecuriositytoknowwhatwouldhappenwhenAgnesarrivedatthehotel。Besides，’Mrs。James’hadreposedaconfidenceinhim。

Hegotintohisgondola，respectingtheconfidenceof’Mrs。James。’

Towardseveningonthethirdday，LordMontbarryandhistravellingcompanionsarrived，punctualtotheirappointment。

’Mrs。James，’sittingatthewindowofherroomwatchingforthem，sawthenewLordlandfromthegondolafirst。Hehandedhiswifetothesteps。Thethreechildrenwerenextcommittedtohiscare。

Lastofall，Agnesappearedinthelittleblackdoorwayofthegondolacabin，and，takingLordMontbarry’shand，passedinherturntothesteps。Sheworenoveil。Assheascendedtothedoorofthehotel，theCountess（eyeingherthroughanopera-glass）

noticedthatshepausedtolookattheoutsideofthebuilding，andthatherfacewasverypale。

CHAPTERXXI

LordandLadyMontbarrywerereceivedbythehousekeeper；

themanagerbeingabsentforadayortwoonbusinessconnectedwiththeaffairsofthehotel。

Theroomsreservedforthetravellersonthefirstfloorwerethreeinnumber；consistingoftwobedroomsopeningintoeachother，andcommunicatingontheleftwithadrawing-room。Completesofar，thearrangementsprovedtobelesssatisfactoryinreferencetothethirdbedroomrequiredforAgnesandfortheeldestdaughterofLordMontbarry，whousuallysleptwithherontheirtravels。

Thebed-chamberontherightofthedrawing-roomwasalreadyoccupiedbyanEnglishwidowlady。Otherbedchambersattheotherendofthecorridorwerealsoletineverycase。TherewasaccordinglynoalternativebuttoplaceatthedisposalofAgnesacomfortableroomonthesecondfloor。LadyMontbarryvainlycomplainedofthisseparationofoneofthemembersofhertravellingpartyfromtherest。

Thehousekeeperpolitelyhintedthatitwasimpossibleforhertoaskothertravellerstogiveuptheirrooms。Shecouldonlyexpressherregret，andassureMissLockwoodthatherbed-chamberonthesecondfloorwasoneofthebestroomsinthatpartofthehotel。

Ontheretirementofthehousekeeper，LadyMontbarrynoticedthatAgneshadseatedherselfapart，feelingapparentlynointerestinthequestionofthebedrooms。Wassheill？No；shefeltalittleunnervedbytherailwayjourney，andthatwasall。

Hearingthis，LordMontbarryproposedthatsheshouldgooutwithhim，andtrytheexperimentofhalfanhour’swalkinthecooleveningair。

Agnesgladlyacceptedthesuggestion。TheydirectedtheirstepstowardsthesquareofSt。Mark，soastoenjoythebreezeblowingoverthelagoon。ItwasthefirstvisitofAgnestoVenice。

Thefascinationofthewonderfulcityofthewatersexerteditsfullinfluenceoverhersensitivenature。Theproposedhalf-hourofthewalkhadpassedaway，andwasfastexpandingtohalfanhourmore，beforeLordMontbarrycouldpersuadehiscompaniontorememberthatdinnerwaswaitingforthem。Astheyreturned，passingunderthecolonnade，neitherofthemnoticedaladyindeepmourning，loiteringintheopenspaceofthesquare。

ShestartedassherecognisedAgneswalkingwiththenewLordMontbarry——

hesitatedforamoment——andthenfollowedthem，atadiscreetdistance，backtothehotel。

LadyMontbarryreceivedAgnesinhighspirits——withnewsofaneventwhichhadhappenedinherabsence。

Shehadnotleftthehotelmorethantenminutes，beforealittlenoteinpencilwasbroughttoLadyMontbarrybythehousekeeper。

Thewriterprovedtobenolessapersonthanthewidowladywhooccupiedtheroomontheothersideofthedrawing-room，whichherladyshiphadvainlyhopedtosecureforAgnes。

WritingunderthenameofMrs。James，thepolitewidowexplainedthatshehadheardfromthehousekeeperofthedisappointmentexperiencedbyLadyMontbarryinthematteroftherooms。

Mrs。Jameswasquitealone；andaslongasherbed-chamberwasairyandcomfortable，itmatterednothingtoherwhethershesleptonthefirstorthesecondfloorofthehouse。ShehadaccordinglymuchpleasureinproposingtochangeroomswithMissLockwood。

Herluggagehadalreadybeenremoved，andMissLockwoodhadonlytotakepossessionoftheroom（Number13A），whichwasnowentirelyatherdisposal。

’IimmediatelyproposedtoseeMrs。James，’LadyMontbarrycontinued，’andtothankherpersonallyforherextremekindness。

ButIwasinformedthatshehadgoneout，withoutleavingwordatwhathourshemightbeexpectedtoreturn。Ihavewrittenalittlenoteofthanks，sayingthatwehopetohavethepleasureofpersonallyexpressingoursenseofMrs。James’scourtesyto-morrow。Inthemeantime，Agnes，Ihaveorderedyourboxestoberemoveddownstairs。Go！——andjudgeforyourself，mydear，ifthatgoodladyhasnotgivenuptoyoutheprettiestroominthehouse！’

Withthosewords，LadyMontbarryleftMissLockwoodtomakeahastytoiletfordinner。

ThenewroomatonceproducedafavourableimpressiononAgnes。

Thelargewindow，openingintoabalcony，commandedanadmirableviewofthecanal。ThedecorationsonthewallsandceilingwereskilfullycopiedfromtheexquisitelygracefuldesignsofRaphaelintheVatican。Themassivewardrobepossessedcompartmentsofunusualsize，inwhichdoublethenumberofdressesthatAgnespossessedmighthavebeenconvenientlyhungatfulllength。

Intheinnercorneroftheroom，neartheheadofthebedstead，therewasarecesswhichhadbeenturnedintoalittledressing-room，andwhichopenedbyaseconddoorontheinferiorstaircaseofthehotel，commonlyusedbytheservants。Noticingtheseaspectsoftheroomataglance，Agnesmadethenecessarychangeinherdress，asquicklyaspossible。Onherwaybacktothedrawing-roomshewasaddressedbyachambermaidinthecorridorwhoaskedforherkey。

’Iwillputyourroomtidyforthenight，Miss，’thewomansaid，’andIwillthenbringthekeybacktoyouinthedrawing-room。’

Whilethechambermaidwasatherwork，asolitarylady，loiteringaboutthecorridorofthesecondstorey，waswatchingheroverthebannisters。

Afterawhile，themaidappeared，withherpailinherhand，leavingtheroombywayofthedressing-roomandthebackstairs。

Asshepassedoutofsight，theladyonthesecondfloor（noother，itisneedlesstoadd，thantheCountessherself）ranswiftlydownthestairs，enteredthebed-chamberbytheprincipaldoor，andhidherselfintheemptysidecompartmentofthewardrobe。

Thechambermaidreturned，completedherwork，lockedthedoorofthedressing-roomontheinnerside，lockedtheprincipalentrance-dooronleavingtheroom，andreturnedthekeytoAgnesinthedrawing-room。

Thetravellerswerejustsittingdowntotheirlatedinner，whenoneofthechildrennoticedthatAgneswasnotwearingherwatch。

Hadsheleftitinherbed-chamberinthehurryofchangingherdress？

Sherosefromthetableatonceinsearchofherwatch；LadyMontbarryadvisingher，asshewentout，toseetothesecurityofherbed-chamber，intheeventoftherebeingthievesinthehouse。Agnesfoundherwatch，forgottenonthetoilettable，asshehadanticipated。

BeforeleavingtheroomagainsheactedonLadyMontbarry’sadvice，andtriedthekeyinthelockofthedressing-roomdoor。Itwasproperlysecured。Sheleftthebed-chamber，lockingthemaindoorbehindher。

Immediatelyonherdeparture，theCountess，oppressedbytheconfinedairinthewardrobe，venturedonsteppingoutofherhidingplaceintotheemptyroom。

Enteringthedressing-room，shelistenedatthedoor，untilthesilenceoutsideinformedherthatthecorridorwasempty。Uponthis，sheunlockedthedoor，and，passingout，closeditagainsoftly；

leavingittoallappearance（whenviewedontheinnerside）

ascarefullysecuredasAgneshadseenitwhenshetriedthekeyinthelockwithherownhand。

WhiletheMontbarryswerestillatdinner，HenryWestwickjoinedthem，arrivingfromMilan。

Whenheenteredtheroom，andagainwhenheadvancedtoshakehandswithher，AgneswasconsciousofalatentfeelingwhichsecretlyreciprocatedHenry’sunconcealedpleasureonmeetingheragain。

Foramomentonly，shereturnedhislook；andinthatmomentherownobservationtoldherthatshehadsilentlyencouragedhimtohope。

Shesawitinthesuddenglowofhappinesswhichoverspreadhisface；

andsheconfusedlytookrefugeintheusualconventionalinquiriesrelatingtotherelativeswhomhehadleftatMilan。

Takinghisplaceatthetable，HenrygaveamostamusingaccountofthepositionofhisbrotherFrancisbetweenthemercenaryopera-dancerononeside，andtheunscrupulousmanageroftheFrenchtheatreontheother。Mattershadproceededtosuchextremities，thatthelawhadbeencalledontointerfere，andhaddecidedthedisputeinfavourofFrancis。OnwinningthevictorytheEnglishmanagerhadatonceleftMilan，recalledtoLondonbytheaffairsofhistheatre。

Hewasaccompaniedonthejourneyback，ashehadbeenaccompaniedonthejourneyout，byhissister。Resolved，afterpassingtwonightsofterrorintheVenetianhotel，nevertoenteritagain，Mrs。Norburyaskedtobeexcusedfromappearingatthefamilyfestival，onthegroundofill-health。Atherage，travellingfatiguedher，andshewasgladtotakeadvantageofherbrother’sescorttoreturntoEngland。

Whilethetalkatthedinner-tableflowedeasilyonward，theevening-timeadvancedtonight——anditbecamenecessarytothinkofsendingthechildrentobed。

AsAgnesrosetoleavetheroom，accompaniedbytheeldestgirl，sheobservedwithsurprisethatHenry’smannersuddenlychanged。

Helookedseriousandpre-occupied；andwhenhisniecewishedhimgoodnight，heabruptlysaidtoher，’Marian，Iwanttoknowwhatpartofthehotelyousleepin？’Marian，puzzledbythequestion，answeredthatshewasgoingtosleep，asusual，with’AuntAgnes。’

Notsatisfiedwiththatreply，Henrynextinquiredwhetherthebedroomwasneartheroomsoccupiedbytheothermembersofthetravellingparty。

Answeringforthechild，andwonderingwhatHenry’sobjectcouldpossiblybe，AgnesmentionedthepolitesacrificemadetoherconveniencebyMrs。James。’Thankstothatlady’skindness，’

shesaid，’MarianandIareonlyontheothersideofthedrawing-room。’

Henrymadenoremark；helookedincomprehensiblydiscontentedasheopenedthedoorforAgnesandhercompaniontopassout。

Afterwishingthemgoodnight，hewaitedinthecorridoruntilhesawthementerthefatalcorner-room——andthenhecalledabruptlytohisbrother，’Comeout，Stephen，andletussmoke！’

Assoonasthetwobrotherswereatlibertytospeaktogetherprivately，Henryexplainedthemotivewhichhadledtohisstrangeinquiriesaboutthebedrooms。FrancishadinformedhimofthemeetingwiththeCountessatVenice，andofallthathadfollowedit；andHenrynowcarefullyrepeatedthenarrativetohisbrotherinallitsdetails。

’Iamnotsatisfied，’headded，’aboutthatwoman’spurposeingivingupherroom。WithoutalarmingtheladiesbytellingthemwhatI

havejusttoldyou，canyounotwarnAgnestobecarefulinsecuringherdoor？’

LordMontbarryreplied，thatthewarninghadbeenalreadygivenbyhiswife，andthatAgnesmightbetrustedtotakegoodcareofherselfandherlittlebed-fellow。Fortherest，helookeduponthestoryoftheCountessandhersuperstitionsasapieceoftheatricalexaggeration，amusingenoughinitself，butunworthyofamoment’sseriousattention。

Whilethegentlemenwereabsentfromthehotel，theroomwhichhadbeenalreadyassociatedwithsomanystartlingcircumstances，becamethesceneofanotherstrangeeventinwhichLadyMontbarry’seldestchildwasconcerned。

LittleMarianhadbeengotreadyforbedasusual，andhad（sofar）takenhardlyanynoticeofthenewroom。Asshekneltdowntosayherprayers，shehappenedtolookupatthatpartoftheceilingaboveherwhichwasjustovertheheadofthebed。

ThenextinstantshealarmedAgnes，bystartingtoherfeetwithacryofterror，andpointingtoasmallbrownspotononeofthewhitepanelledspacesofthecarvedceiling。

’It’saspotofblood！’thechildexclaimed。’Takemeaway！

Iwon’tsleephere！’

Seeingplainlythatitwouldbeuselesstoreasonwithherwhileshewasintheroom，AgneshurriedlywrappedMarianinadressing-gown，andcarriedherbacktohermotherinthedrawing-room。Here，theladiesdidtheirbesttosootheandreassurethetremblinggirl。

Theeffortprovedtobeuseless；theimpressionthathadbeenproducedontheyoungandsensitivemindwasnottoberemovedbypersuasion。Mariancouldgivenoexplanationofthepanicofterrorthathadseizedher。Shewasquiteunabletosaywhythespotontheceilinglookedlikethecolourofaspotofblood。

Sheonlyknewthatsheshoulddieofterrorifshesawitagain。

Underthesecircumstances，butonealternativewasleft。Itwasarrangedthatthechildshouldpassthenightintheroomoccupiedbyhertwoyoungersistersandthenurse。

Inhalfanhourmore，Marianwaspeacefullyasleepwithherarmaroundhersister’sneck。LadyMontbarrywentbackwithAgnestoherroomtoseethespotontheceilingwhichhadsostrangelyfrightenedthechild。Itwassosmallastobeonlyjustperceptible，andithadinallprobabilitybeencausedbythecarelessnessofaworkman，orbyadrippingfromwateraccidentallyspiltontheflooroftheroomabove。

’IreallycannotunderstandwhyMarianshouldplacesuchashockinginterpretationonsuchatriflingthing，’LadyMontbarryremarked。

’Isuspectthenurseisinsomewayanswerableforwhathashappened，’

Agnessuggested。’ShemayquitepossiblyhavebeentellingMariansometragicnurserystorywhichhasleftitsmischievousimpressionbehindit。Personsinherpositionaresadlyignorantofthedangerofexcitingachild’simagination。Youhadbettercautionthenurseto-morrow。’

LadyMontbarrylookedroundtheroomwithadmiration。’Isitnotprettilydecorated？’shesaid。’Isuppose，Agnes，youdon’tmindsleepingherebyyourself。？’

Agneslaughed。’Ifeelsotired，’shereplied，’thatIwasthinkingofbiddingyougood-night，insteadofgoingbacktothedrawing-room。’

LadyMontbarryturnedtowardsthedoor。’Iseeyourjewel-caseonthetable，’sheresumed。’Don’tforgettolocktheotherdoorthere，inthedressing-room。’

’Ihavealreadyseentoit，andtriedthekeymyself，’saidAgnes。

’CanIbeofanyusetoyoubeforeIgotobed？’

’No，mydear，thankyou；Ifeelsleepyenoughtofollowyourexample。

Goodnight，Agnes——andpleasantdreamsonyourfirstnightinVenice。’

CHAPTERXXII

HavingclosedandsecuredthedooronLadyMontbarry’sdeparture，Agnesputonherdressing-gown，and，turningtoheropenboxes，beganthebusinessofunpacking。Inthehurryofmakinghertoiletfordinner，shehadtakenthefirstdressthatlayuppermostinthetrunk，andhadthrownhertravellingcostumeonthebed。

Shenowopenedthedoorsofthewardrobeforthefirsttime，andbegantohangherdressesonthehooksinthelargecompartmentononeside。

Afterafewminutesonlyofthisoccupation，shegrewwearyofit，anddecidedonleavingthetrunksastheywere，untilthenextmorning。

Theoppressivesouthwind，whichhadblownthroughouttheday，stillprevailedatnight。Theatmosphereoftheroomfeltclose；

Agnesthrewashawloverherheadandshoulders，and，openingthewindow，steppedintothebalconytolookattheview。

Thenightwasheavyandovercast：nothingcouldbedistinctlyseen。

Thecanalbeneaththewindowlookedlikeablackgulf；

theoppositehouseswerebarelyvisibleasarowofshadows，dimlyrelievedagainstthestarlessandmoonlesssky。

Atlongintervals，thewarningcryofabelatedgondolierwasjustaudible，asheturnedthecornerofadistantcanal，andcalledtoinvisibleboatswhichmightbeapproachinghiminthedarkness。

Nowandthen，thenearerdipofanoarinthewatertoldoftheviewlesspassageofothergondolasbringingguestsbacktothehotel。

Exceptingtheseraresounds，themysteriousnight-silenceofVenicewasliterallythesilenceofthegrave。

Leaningontheparapetofthebalcony，Agneslookedvacantlyintotheblackvoidbeneath。Herthoughtsrevertedtothemiserablemanwhohadbrokenhispledgedfaithtoher，andwhohaddiedinthathouse。

SomechangeseemedtohavecomeoverhersinceherarrivalinVenice；

somenewinfluenceappearedtobeatwork。Forthefirsttimeinherexperienceofherself，compassionandregretwerenottheonlyemotionsarousedinherbytheremembranceofthedeadMontbarry。

Akeensenseofthewrongthatshehadsuffered，neveryetfeltbythatgentleandforgivingnature，wasfeltbyitnow。

ShefoundherselfthinkingofthebygonedaysofherhumiliationalmostasharshlyasHenryWestwickhadthoughtofthem——

shewhohadrebukedhimthelasttimehehadspokenslightinglyofhisbrotherinherpresence！Asuddenfearanddoubtofherself，startledherphysicallyaswellasmorally。Sheturnedfromtheshadowyabyssofthedarkwaterasifthemysteryandthegloomofithadbeenanswerablefortheemotionswhichhadtakenherbysurprise。

Abruptlyclosingthewindow，shethrewasidehershawl，andlitthecandlesonthemantelpiece，impelledbyasuddencravingforlightinthesolitudeofherroom。

Thecheeringbrightnessroundher，contrastingwiththeblackgloomoutside，restoredherspirits。Shefeltherselfenjoyingthelightlikeachild！

Woulditbewell（sheaskedherself）togetreadyforbed？No！Thesenseofdrowsyfatiguethatshehadfelthalfanhoursincewasgone。

Shereturnedtothedullemploymentofunpackingherboxes。

Afterafewminutesonly，theoccupationbecameirksometoheroncemore。

Shesatdownbythetable，andtookupaguide-book。’SupposeI

informmyself，’shethought，’onthesubjectofVenice？’

Herattentionwanderedfromthebook，beforeshehadturnedthefirstpageofit。

TheimageofHenryWestwickwasthepresidingimageinhermemorynow。

Recallingtheminutestincidentsanddetailsoftheevening，shecouldthinkofnothingwhichpresentedhimunderotherthanafavourableandinterestingaspect。Shesmiledtoherselfsoftly，hercolourrosebyfinegradations，asshefeltthefullluxuryofdwellingontheperfecttruthandmodestyofhisdevotiontoher。

Wasthedepressionofspiritsfromwhichshehadsufferedsopersistentlyonhertravelsattributable，byanychance，totheirlongseparationfromeachother——embitteredperhapsbyherownvainregretwhensherememberedherharshreceptionofhiminParis？

Suddenlyconsciousofthisboldquestion，andoftheself-abandonmentwhichitimplied，shereturnedmechanicallytoherbook，distrustingtheunrestrainedlibertyofherownthoughts。

Whatlurkingtemptationstoforbiddentendernessfindtheirhiding-placesinawoman’sdressing-gown，whensheisaloneinherroomatnight！

WithherheartinthetombofthedeadMontbarry，couldAgneseventhinkofanotherman，andthinkoflove？Howshameful！howunworthyofher！

Forthesecondtime，shetriedtointerestherselfintheguide-book——

andoncemoreshetriedinvain。Throwingthebookaside，sheturneddesperatelytotheoneresourcethatwasleft，toherluggage——resolvedtofatigueherselfwithoutmercy，untilshewaswearyenoughandsleepyenoughtofindasaferefugeinbed。

Forsomelittletime，shepersistedinthemonotonousoccupationoftransferringherclothesfromhertrunktothewardrobe。

Thelargeclockinthehall，strikingmid-night，remindedherthatitwasgettinglate。Shesatdownforamomentinanarm-chairbythebedside，torest。

Thesilenceinthehousenowcaughtherattention，andheldit——

helditdisagreeably。Waseverybodyinbedandasleepbutherself？

Surelyitwastimeforhertofollowthegeneralexample？Withacertainirritablenervoushaste，sheroseagainandundressedherself。

’Ihavelosttwohoursofrest，’shethought，frowningatthereflectionofherselfintheglass，asshearrangedherhairforthenight。

’Ishallbegoodfornothingto-morrow！’

Shelitthenight-light，andextinguishedthecandles——

withoneexception，whichsheremovedtoalittletable，placedonthesideofthebedoppositetothesideoccupiedbythearm-chair。

Havingputhertravelling-boxofmatchesandtheguide-booknearthecandle，incaseshemightbesleeplessandmightwanttoread，sheblewoutthelight，andlaidherheadonthepillow。

Thecurtainsofthebedwereloopedbacktolettheairpassfreelyoverher。Lyingonherleftside，withherfaceturnedawayfromthetable，shecouldseethearm-chairbythedimnight-light。Ithadachintzcovering——representinglargebunchesofrosesscatteredoverapalegreenground。Shetriedtowearyherselfintodrowsinessbycountingoverandoveragainthebunchesofrosesthatwerevisiblefromherpointofview。

Twiceherattentionwasdistractedfromthecounting，bysoundsoutside——

bytheclockchimingthehalf-hourpasttwelve；andthenagain，bythefallofapairofbootsontheupperfloor，thrownouttobecleaned，withthatbarbarousdisregardofthecomfortofotherswhichisobservableinhumanitywhenitinhabitsanhotel。

Inthesilencethatfollowedthesepassingdisturbances，Agneswentoncountingtherosesonthearm-chair，moreandmoreslowly。Beforelong，sheconfusedherselfinthefigures——triedtobegincountingagain——

thoughtshewouldwaitalittlefirst——felthereyelidsdrooping，andherheadreclininglowerandloweronthepillow——sighedfaintly——

andsankintosleep。

Howlongthatfirstsleeplasted，sheneverknew。Shecouldonlyremember，intheafter-time，thatshewokeinstantly。

Everyfacultyandperceptioninherpassedtheboundarylinebetweeninsensibilityandconsciousness，sotospeak，ataleap。

Withoutknowingwhy，shesatupsuddenlyinthebed，listeningforsheknewnotwhat。Herheadwasinawhirl；herheartbeatfuriously，withoutanyassignablecause。Butonetrivialeventhadhappenedduringtheintervalwhileshehadbeenasleep。

Thenight-lighthadgoneout；andtheroom，asamatterofcourse，wasintotaldarkness。