第9章

’IsMr。HenryWestwickalone？’

AgnesinstantlyrecognisedthevoiceoftheCountess。Shehurriedtoaseconddoor，whichcommunicatedwithoneofthebedrooms。

’Don’tlethercomenearme！’shewhisperednervously。’Goodnight，Henry！goodnight！’

IfHenrycould，byaneffortofwill，havetransportedtheCountesstotheuttermostendsoftheearth，hewouldhavemadetheeffortwithoutremorse。Asitwas，heonlyrepeated，moreirritablythanever，’Comein！’

Sheenteredtheroomslowlywithhereverlastingmanuscriptinherhand。

Herstepwasunsteady；adarkflushappearedonherface，inplaceofitscustomarypallor；hereyeswerebloodshotandwidelydilated。

InapproachingHenry，sheshowedastrangeincapabilityofcalculatingherdistances——shestruckagainstthetablenearwhichhehappenedtobesitting。Whenshespoke，herarticulationwasconfused，andherpronunciationofsomeofthelongerwordswashardlyintelligible。

Mostmenwouldhavesuspectedherofbeingundertheinfluenceofsomeintoxicatingliquor。Henrytookatruerview——hesaid，asheplacedachairforher，’Countess，Iamafraidyouhavebeenworkingtoohard：

youlookasifyouwantedrest。’

Sheputherhandtoherhead。’Myinventionhasgone，’shesaid。

’Ican’twritemyfourthact。It’sallablank——allablank！’

Henryadvisedhertowaittillthenextday。’Gotobed，’hesuggested；

andtrytosleep。’

Shewavedherhandimpatiently。’Imustfinishtheplay，’

sheanswered。’Ionlywantahintfromyou。Youmustknowsomethingaboutplays。Yourbrotherhasgotatheatre。

Youmustoftenhaveheardhimtalkaboutfourthandfifthacts——

youmusthaveseenrehearsals，andalltherestofit。’

SheabruptlythrustthemanuscriptintoHenry’shand。’Ican’treadittoyou，’shesaid；’IfeelgiddywhenIlookatmyownwriting。

Justrunyoureyeoverit，there’sagoodfellow——andgivemeahint。’

Henryglancedatthemanuscript。Hehappenedtolookatthelistofthepersonsofthedrama。AshereadthelisthestartedandturnedabruptlytotheCountess，intendingtoaskherforsomeexplanation。

Thewordsweresuspendedonhislips。Itwasbuttooplainlyuselesstospeaktoher。Herheadlaybackontherailofthechair。

Sheseemedtobehalfasleepalready。Theflushonherfacehaddeepened：shelookedlikeawomanwhowasindangerofhavingafit。

Herangthebell，anddirectedthemanwhoansweredittosendoneofthechambermaidsupstairs。HisvoiceseemedtopartiallyrousetheCountess；sheopenedhereyesinaslowdrowsyway。

’Haveyoureadit？’sheasked。

Itwasnecessaryasamereactofhumanitytohumourher。

’Iwillreaditwillingly，’saidHenry，’ifyouwillgoupstairstobed。YoushallhearwhatIthinkofitto-morrowmorning。

Ourheadswillbeclearer，weshallbebetterabletomakethefourthactinthemorning。’

Thechambermaidcameinwhilehewasspeaking。’Iamafraidtheladyisill，’Henrywhispered。’Takeheruptoherroom。’

ThewomanlookedattheCountessandwhisperedback，’Shallwesendforadoctor，sir？’

Henryadvisedtakingherupstairsfirst，andthenaskingthemanager’sopinion。Therewasgreatdifficultyinpersuadinghertorise，andacceptthesupportofthechambermaid’sarm。

Itwasonlybyreiteratedpromisestoreadtheplaythatnight，andtomakethefourthactinthemorning，thatHenryprevailedontheCountesstoreturntoherroom。

Lefttohimself，hebegantofeelacertainlanguidcuriosityinrelationtothemanuscript。Helookedoverthepages，readingalinehereandalinethere。Suddenlyhechangedcolourasheread——

andlookedupfromthemanuscriptlikeamanbewildered。

’GoodGod！whatdoesthismean？’hesaidtohimself。

HiseyesturnednervouslytothedoorbywhichAgneshadlefthim。

Shemightreturntothedrawing-room，shemightwanttoseewhattheCountesshadwritten。Helookedbackagainatthepassagewhichhadstartledhim——consideredwithhimselfforamoment——

and，snatchinguptheunfinishedplay，suddenlyandsoftlylefttheroom。

CHAPTERXXVI

Enteringhisownroomontheupperfloor，Henryplacedthemanuscriptonhistable，openatthefirstleaf。Hisnerveswereunquestionablyshaken；hishandtrembledasheturnedthepages，hestartedatchancenoisesonthestaircaseofthehotel。

Thescenario，oroutline，oftheCountess’splaybeganwithnoformalprefatoryphrases。Shepresentedherselfandherworkwiththeeasyfamiliarityofanoldfriend。

’Allowme，dearMr。FrancisWestwick，tointroducetoyouthepersonsinmyproposedPlay。Beholdthem，arrangedsymmetricallyinaline。

’MyLord。TheBaron。TheCourier。TheDoctor。TheCountess。

’Idon’ttroublemyself，yousee，toinvestfictitiousfamilynames。

Mycharactersaresufficientlydistinguishedbytheirsocialtitles，andbythestrikingcontrastwhichtheypresentonewithanother。

TheFirstActopens——

’No！BeforeIopentheFirstAct，Imustannounce，injusticetomyself，thatthisPlayisentirelytheworkofmyowninvention。Iscorntoborrowfromactualevents；and，whatismoreextraordinarystill，IhavenotstolenoneofmyideasfromtheModernFrenchdrama。

AsthemanagerofanEnglishtheatre，youwillnaturallyrefusetobelievethis。Itdoesn’tmatter。Nothingmatters——excepttheopeningofmyfirstact。

’WeareatHomburg，inthefamousSalond’Or，attheheightoftheseason。

TheCountess（exquisitelydressed）isseatedatthegreentable。

Strangersofallnationsarestandingbehindtheplayers，venturingtheirmoneyoronlylookingon。MyLordisamongthestrangers。

HeisstruckbytheCountess’spersonalappearance，inwhichbeautiesanddefectsarefantasticallymingledinthemostattractivemanner。

HewatchestheCountess’sgame，andplaceshismoneywhereheseesherdepositherownlittlestake。Shelooksroundathim，andsays，"Don’ttrusttomycolour；Ihavebeenunluckythewholeevening。

Placeyourstakeontheothercolour，andyoumayhaveachanceofwinning。"MyLord（atrueEnglishman）blushes，bows，andobeys。

TheCountessprovestobeaprophet。Shelosesagain。MyLordwinstwicethesumthathehasrisked。

’TheCountessrisesfromthetable。Shehasnomoremoney，andsheoffersmyLordherchair。

’Insteadoftakingit，hepolitelyplaceshiswinningsinherhand，andbegshertoaccepttheloanasafavourtohimself。

TheCountessstakesagain，andlosesagain。MyLordsmilessuperbly，andpressesasecondloanonher。Fromthatmomentherluckturns。

Shewins，andwinslargely。Herbrother，theBaron，tryinghisfortuneinanotherroom，hearsofwhatisgoingon，andjoinsmyLordandtheCountess。

’Payattention，ifyouplease，totheBaron。Heisdelineatedasaremarkableandinterestingcharacter。

’Thisnoblepersonhasbegunlifewithasingle-mindeddevotiontothescienceofexperimentalchemistry，verysurprisinginayoungandhandsomemanwithabrilliantfuturebeforehim。AprofoundknowledgeoftheoccultscienceshaspersuadedtheBaronthatitispossibletosolvethefamousproblemcalledthe"Philosopher’sStone。"

Hisownpecuniaryresourceshavelongsincebeenexhaustedbyhiscostlyexperiments。Hissisterhasnextsuppliedhimwiththesmallfortuneatherdisposal：reservingonlythefamilyjewels，placedinthechargeofherbankerandfriendatFrankfort。

TheCountess’sfortunealsobeingswallowedup，theBaronhasinafatalmomentsoughtfornewsuppliesatthegamingtable。

Heproves，atstartingonhisperilouscareer，tobeafavouriteoffortune；winslargely，and，alas！profaneshisnobleenthusiasmforsciencebyyieldinghissoultotheall-debasingpassionofthegamester。

’AttheperiodofthePlay，theBaron’sgoodfortunehasdesertedhim。

Heseeshiswaytoacrowningexperimentinthefatalsearchafterthesecretoftransmutingthebaserelementsintogold。

Buthowishetopaythepreliminaryexpenses？Destiny，likeamockingecho，answers，How？

’Willhissister’swinnings（withmyLord’smoney）provelargeenoughtohelphim？Eagerforthisresult，hegivestheCountesshisadvicehowtoplay。Fromthatdisastrousmomenttheinfectionofhisownadversefortunespreadstohissister。Shelosesagain，andagain——

losestothelastfarthing。

’TheamiableandwealthyLordoffersathirdloan；

butthescrupulousCountesspositivelyrefusestotakeit。

Onleavingthetable，shepresentsherbrothertomyLord。

Thegentlemenfallintopleasanttalk。MyLordasksleavetopayhisrespectstotheCountess，thenextmorning，atherhotel。

TheBaronhospitablyinviteshimtobreakfast。MyLordaccepts，withalastadmiringglanceattheCountesswhichdoesnotescapeherbrother’sobservation，andtakeshisleaveforthenight。

’Alonewithhissister，theBaronspeaksoutplainly。"Ouraffairs，"

hesays，"areinadesperatecondition，andmustfindadesperateremedy。

Waitformehere，whileImakeinquiriesaboutmyLord。

Youhaveevidentlyproducedastrongimpressiononhim。Ifwecanturnthatimpressionintomoney，nomatteratwhatsacrifice，thethingmustbedone。"

’TheCountessnowoccupiesthestagealone，andindulgesinasoliloquywhichdevelopshercharacter。

’Itisatonceadangerousandattractivecharacter。

Immensecapacitiesforgoodareimplantedinhernature，sidebysidewithequallyremarkablecapacitiesforevil。

Itrestswithcircumstancestodevelopeithertheoneortheother。

Beingapersonwhoproducesasensationwherevershegoes，thisnobleladyisnaturallymadethesubjectofallsortsofscandalousreports。

Tooneofthesereports（whichfalselyandabominablypointstotheBaronasherloverinsteadofherbrother）shenowreferswithjustindignation。

ShehasjustexpressedherdesiretoleaveHomburg，astheplaceinwhichthevilecalumnyfirsttookitsrise，whentheBaronreturns，overhearsherlastwords，andsaystoher，"Yes，leaveHomburgbyallmeans；providedyouleaveitinthecharacterofmyLord’sbetrothedwife！"

’TheCountessisstartledandshocked。SheproteststhatshedoesnotreciprocatemyLord’sadmirationforher。Sheevengoesthelengthofrefusingtoseehimagain。TheBaronanswers，"Imustpositivelyhavecommandofmoney。Takeyourchoice，betweenmarryingmyLord’sincome，intheinterestofmygranddiscovery——

orleavemetosellmyselfandmytitletothefirstrichwomanoflowdegreewhoisreadytobuyme。"

’TheCountesslistensinsurpriseanddismay。IsitpossiblethattheBaronisinearnest？Heishorriblyinearnest。

"Thewomanwhowillbuyme，"hesays，"isinthenextroomtousatthismoment。SheisthewealthywidowofaJewishusurer。

ShehasthemoneyIwanttoreachthesolutionofthegreatproblem。

Ihaveonlytobethatwoman’shusband，andtomakemyselfmasterofuntoldmillionsofgold。TakefiveminutestoconsiderwhatIhavesaidtoyou，andtellmeonmyreturnwhichofusistomarryforthemoneyIwant，youorI。"

’Asheturnsaway，theCountessstopshim。

’Allthenoblestsentimentsinhernatureareexaltedtothehighestpitch。"Whereisthetruewoman，"sheexclaims，"whowantstimetoconsummatethesacrificeofherself，whenthemantowhomsheisdevoteddemandsit？Shedoesnotwantfiveminutes——

shedoesnotwantfiveseconds——sheholdsoutherhandtohim，andshesays，Sacrificemeonthealtarofyourglory！Takeasstepping-stonesonthewaytoyourtriumph，mylove，myliberty，andmylife！"

’Onthisgrandsituationthecurtainfalls。Judgingbymyfirstact，Mr。Westwick，tellmetruly，anddon’tbeafraidofturningmyhead：——

AmInotcapableofwritingagoodplay？’

HenrypausedbetweentheFirstandSecondActs；reflecting，notonthemeritsoftheplay，butonthestrangeresemblancewhichtheincidentssofarpresentedtotheincidentsthathadattendedthedisastrousmarriageofthefirstLordMontbarry。

WasitpossiblethattheCountess，inthepresentconditionofhermind，supposedherselftobeexercisingherinventionwhenshewasonlyexercisinghermemory？

Thequestioninvolvedconsiderationstooserioustobemadethesubjectofahastydecision。Reservinghisopinion，Henryturnedthepage，anddevotedhimselftothereadingofthenextact。

Themanuscriptproceededasfollows：——

’TheSecondActopensatVenice。Anintervaloffourmonthshaselapsedsincethedateofthesceneatthegamblingtable。

Theactionnowtakesplaceinthereception-roomofoneoftheVenetianpalaces。

’TheBaronisdiscovered，alone，onthestage。HerevertstotheeventswhichhavehappenedsincethecloseoftheFirstAct。

TheCountesshassacrificedherself；themercenarymarriagehastakenplace——butnotwithoutobstacles，causedbydifferenceofopiniononthequestionofmarriagesettlements。

’Privateinquiries，institutedinEngland，haveinformedtheBaronthatmyLord’sincomeisderivedchieflyfromwhatiscalledentailedproperty。

Incaseofaccidents，heissurelyboundtodosomethingforhisbride？

Lethim，forexample，insurehislife，forasumproposedbytheBaron，andlethimsosettlethemoneythathiswidowshallhaveit，ifhediesfirst。

’MyLordhesitates。TheBaronwastesnotimeinuselessdiscussion。

"Letusbyallmeans"（hesays）"considerthemarriageasbrokenoff。"

MyLordshiftshisground，andpleadsforasmallersumthanthesumproposed。TheBaronbrieflyreplies，"Ineverbargain。"

Mylordisinlove；thenaturalresultfollows——hegivesway。

’Sofar，theBaronhasnocausetocomplain。ButmyLord’sturncomes，whenthemarriagehasbeencelebrated，andwhenthehoneymoonisover。

TheBaronhasjoinedthemarriedpairatapalacewhichtheyhavehiredinVenice。Heisstillbentonsolvingtheproblemofthe"Philosopher’sStone。"Hislaboratoryissetupinthevaultsbeneaththepalace——sothatsmellsfromchemicalexperimentsmaynotincommodetheCountess，inthehigherregionsofthehouse。

Theoneobstacleinthewayofhisgranddiscoveryis，asusual，thewantofmoney。Hispositionatthepresenttimehasbecometrulycritical。Heowesdebtsofhonourtogentlemeninhisownrankoflife，whichmustpositivelybepaid；andheproposes，inhisownfriendlymanner，toborrowthemoneyofmyLord。

MyLordpositivelyrefuses，intherudestterms。TheBaronappliestohissistertoexerciseherconjugalinfluence。Shecanonlyanswerthathernoblehusband（beingnolongerdistractedlyinlovewithher）

nowappearsinhistruecharacter，asoneofthemeanestmenliving。

Thesacrificeofthemarriagehasbeenmade，andhasalreadyproveduseless。

’SuchisthestateofaffairsattheopeningoftheSecondAct。

’TheentranceoftheCountesssuddenlydisturbstheBaron’sreflections。

Sheisinastateborderingonfrenzy。Incoherentexpressionsofrageburstfromherlips：itissometimebeforeshecansufficientlycontrolherselftospeakplainly。Shehasbeendoublyinsulted——

first，byamenialpersoninheremployment；secondly，byherhusband。

Hermaid，anEnglishwoman，hasdeclaredthatshewillservetheCountessnolonger。Shewillgiveupherwages，andreturnatoncetoEngland。Beingaskedherreasonforthisstrangeproceeding，sheinsolentlyhintsthattheCountess’sserviceisnoserviceforanhonestwoman，sincetheBaronhasenteredthehouse。

TheCountessdoes，whatanyladyinherpositionwoulddo；

sheindignantlydismissesthewretchonthespot。

’MyLord，hearinghiswife’svoiceraisedinanger，leavesthestudyinwhichheisaccustomedtoshuthimselfupoverhisbooks，andaskswhatthisdisturbancemeans。TheCountessinformshimoftheoutrageouslanguageandconductofhermaid。

MyLordnotonlydeclareshisentireapprovalofthewoman’sconduct，butexpresseshisownabominabledoubtsofhiswife’sfidelityinlanguageofsuchhorriblebrutalitythatnoladycouldpolluteherlipsbyrepeatingit。"IfIhadbeenaman，"theCountesssays，"andifIhadhadaweaponinmyhand，Iwouldhavestruckhimdeadatmyfeet！"

’TheBaron，listeningsilentlysofar，nowspeaks。"Permitmetofinishthesentenceforyou，"hesays。"Youwouldhavestruckyourhusbanddeadatyourfeet；andbythatrashact，youwouldhavedeprivedyourselfoftheinsurancemoneysettledonthewidow——

theverymoneywhichiswantedtorelieveyourbrotherfromtheunendurablepecuniarypositionwhichhenowoccupies！"

’TheCountessgravelyremindstheBaronthatthisisnojokingmatter。

AfterwhatmyLordhassaidtoher，shehaslittledoubtthathewillcommunicatehisinfamoussuspicionstohislawyersinEngland。

Ifnothingisdonetopreventit，shemaybedivorcedanddisgraced，andthrownontheworld，withnoresourcebutthesaleofherjewelstokeepherfromstarving。

’Atthismoment，theCourierwhohasbeenengagedtotravelwithmyLordfromEnglandcrossesthestagewithalettertotaketothepost。

TheCountessstopshim，andaskstolookattheaddressontheletter。

Shetakesitfromhimforamoment，andshowsittoherbrother。

ThehandwritingismyLord’s；andtheletterisdirectedtohislawyersinLondon。

’TheCourierproceedstothepost-office。TheBaronandtheCountesslookateachotherinsilence。Nowordsareneeded。

Theythoroughlyunderstandthepositioninwhichtheyareplaced；

theyclearlyseetheterribleremedyforit。Whatistheplainalternativebeforethem？Disgraceandruin——or，myLord’sdeathandtheinsurancemoney！

’TheBaronwalksbackwardsandforwardsingreatagitation，talkingtohimself。TheCountesshearsfragmentsofwhatheissaying。

HespeaksofmyLord’sconstitution，probablyweakenedinIndia——

ofacoldwhichmyLordhascaughttwoorthreedayssince——

oftheremarkablemannerinwhichsuchslightthingsascoldssometimesendinseriousillnessanddeath。

’HeobservesthattheCountessislisteningtohim，andasksifshehasanythingtopropose。Sheisawomanwho，withmanydefects，hasthegreatmeritofspeakingout。"Istherenosuchthingasaseriousillness，"sheasks，"corkedupinoneofthosebottlesofyoursinthevaultsdownstairs？"

’TheBaronanswersbygravelyshakinghishead。Whatisheafraidof？——

apossibleexaminationofthebodyafterdeath？No：hecansetanypost-mortemexaminationatdefiance。Itistheprocessofadministeringthepoisonthathedreads。AmansodistinguishedasmyLordcannotbetakenseriouslyillwithoutmedicalattendance。

WherethereisaDoctor，thereisalwaysdangerofdiscovery。

Then，again，thereistheCourier，faithfultomyLordaslongasmyLordpayshim。EveniftheDoctorseesnothingsuspicious，theCouriermaydiscoversomething。Thepoison，todoitsworkwiththenecessarysecrecy，mustberepeatedlyadministeredingraduateddoses。

Onetriflingmiscalculationormistakemayrousesuspicion。

Theinsuranceofficesmayhearofit，andmayrefusetopaythemoney。

Asthingsare，theBaronwillnotriskit，andwillnotallowhissistertoriskitinhisplace。

’MyLordhimselfisthenextcharacterwhoappears。HehasrepeatedlyrungfortheCourier，andthebellhasnotbeenanswered。

"Whatdoesthisinsolencemean？"

’TheCountess（speakingwithquietdignity——forwhyshouldherinfamoushusbandhavethesatisfactionofknowinghowdeeplyhehaswoundedher？）remindsmyLordthattheCourierhasgonetothepost。

MyLordaskssuspiciouslyifshehaslookedattheletter。

TheCountessinformshimcoldlythatshehasnocuriosityabouthisletters。Referringtothecoldfromwhichheissuffering，sheinquiresifhethinksofconsultingamedicalman。

MyLordanswersroughlythatheisquiteoldenoughtobecapableofdoctoringhimself。

’Ashemakesthisreply，theCourierappears，returningfromthepost。

MyLordgiveshimorderstogooutagainandbuysomelemons。

Heproposestotryhotlemonadeasameansofinducingperspirationinbed。Inthatwayhehasformerlycuredcolds，andinthatwayhewillcurethecoldfromwhichheissufferingnow。

’TheCourierobeysinsilence。Judgingbyappearances，hegoesveryreluctantlyonthisseconderrand。

’MyLordturnstotheBaron（whohasthusfartakennopartintheconversation）andaskshim，inasneeringtone，howmuchlongerheproposestoprolonghisstayinVenice。TheBaronanswersquietly，"Letusspeakplainlytooneanother，myLord。

Ifyouwishmetoleaveyourhouse，youhaveonlytosaytheword，andIgo。"MyLordturnstohiswife，andasksifshecansupportthecalamityofherbrother’sabsence——layingagrosslyinsultingemphasisontheword"brother。"TheCountesspreservesherimpenetrablecomposure；nothinginherbetraysthedeadlyhatredwithwhichsheregardsthetitledruffianwhohasinsultedher。

"Youaremasterinthishouse，myLord，"isallshesays。"Doasyouplease。"

’MyLordlooksathiswife；looksattheBaron——andsuddenlyaltershistone。DoesheperceiveinthecomposureoftheCountessandherbrothersomethinglurkingunderthesurfacethatthreatenshim？

Thisisatleastcertain，hemakesaclumsyapologyforthelanguagethathehasused。（Abjectwretch！）

’MyLord’sexcusesareinterruptedbythereturnoftheCourierwiththelemonsandhotwater。

’TheCountessobservesforthefirsttimethatthemanlooksill。

Hishandstrembleasheplacesthetrayonthetable。MyLordordershisCouriertofollowhim，andmakethelemonadeinthebedroom。

TheCountessremarksthattheCourierseemshardlycapableofobeyinghisorders。Hearingthis，themanadmitsthatheisill。He，too，issufferingfromacold；hehasbeenkeptwaitinginadraughtattheshopwhereheboughtthelemons；hefeelsalternatelyhotandcold，andhebegspermissiontoliedownforalittlewhileonhisbed。

’Feelingherhumanityappealedto，theCountessvolunteerstomakethelemonadeherself。MyLordtakestheCourierbythearm，leadshimaside，andwhispersthesewordstohim：

"Watchher，andseethatsheputsnothingintothelemonade；

thenbringittomewithyourownhands；and，then，gotobed，ifyoulike。"

’Withoutawordmoretohiswife，ortotheBaron，myLordleavestheroom。

’TheCountessmakesthelemonade，andtheCouriertakesittohismaster。

’Returning，onthewaytohisownroom，heissoweak，andfeels，hesays，sogiddy，thatheisobligedtosupporthimselfbythebacksofthechairsashepassesthem。TheBaron，alwaysconsideratetopersonsoflowdegree，offershisarm。

"Iamafraid，mypoorfellow，"hesays，"thatyouarereallyill。"

TheCouriermakesthisextraordinaryanswer："It’salloverwithme，Sir：

Ihavecaughtmydeath。"

’TheCountessisnaturallystartled。"Youarenotanoldman，"

shesays，tryingtorousetheCourier’sspirits。"Atyourage，catchingcolddoesn’tsurelymeancatchingyourdeath？"TheCourierfixeshiseyesdespairinglyontheCountess。

"Mylungsareweak，myLady，"hesays；"Ihavealreadyhadtwoattacksofbronchitis。Thesecondtime，agreatphysicianjoinedmyowndoctorinattendanceonme。Heconsideredmyrecoveryalmostinthelightofamiracle。Takecareofyourself，"hesaid。"Ifyouhaveathirdattackofbronchitis，ascertainlyastwoandtwomakefour，youwillbeadeadman。Ifeelthesameinwardshivering，myLady，thatIfeltonthosetwoformeroccasions——andItellyouagain，IhavecaughtmydeathinVenice。"

’Speakingsomecomfortingwords，theBaronleadshimtohisroom。

TheCountessisleftaloneonthestage。

’Sheseatsherself，andlookstowardsthedoorbywhichtheCourierhasbeenledout。"Ah！mypoorfellow，"shesays，"ifyoucouldonlychangeconstitutionswithmyLord，whatahappyresultwouldfollowfortheBaronandforme！Ifyoucouldonlygetcuredofatrumperycoldwithalittlehotlemonade，andifhecouldonlycatchhisdeathinyourplace——！"

’Shesuddenlypauses——considersforawhile——andspringstoherfeet，withacryoftriumphantsurprise：thewonderful，theunparalleledideahascrossedhermindlikeaflashoflightning。

Makethetwomenchangenamesandplaces——andthedeedisdone！

Wherearetheobstacles？RemovemyLord（byfairmeansorfoul）

fromhisroom；andkeephimsecretlyprisonerinthepalace，toliveordieasfuturenecessitymaydetermine。PlacetheCourierinthevacantbed，andcallinthedoctortoseehim——ill，inmyLord’scharacter，and（ifhedies）dyingundermyLord’sname！’

ThemanuscriptdroppedfromHenry’shands。Asickeningsenseofhorroroverpoweredhim。ThequestionwhichhadoccurredtohismindatthecloseoftheFirstActofthePlayassumedanewandterribleinterestnow。AsfarasthesceneoftheCountess’ssoliloquy，theincidentsoftheSecondActhadreflectedtheeventsofhislatebrother’slifeasfaithfullyastheincidentsoftheFirstAct。

Wasthemonstrousplot，revealedinthelineswhichhehadjustread，theoffspringoftheCountess’smorbidimagination？orhadshe，inthiscasealso，deludedherselfwiththeideathatshewasinventingwhenshewasreallywritingundertheinfluenceofherownguiltyremembrancesofthepast？Ifthelatterinterpretationwerethetrueone，hehadjustreadthenarrativeofthecontemplatedmurderofhisbrother，plannedincoldbloodbyawomanwhowasatthatmomentinhabitingthesamehousewithhim。While，tomakethefatalitycomplete，Agnesherselfhadinnocentlyprovidedtheconspiratorswiththeonemanwhowasfittedtobethepassiveagentoftheircrime。

Eventhebaredoubtthatitmightbesowasmorethanhecouldendure。

Helefthisroom；resolvedtoforcethetruthoutoftheCountess，ortodenounceherbeforetheauthoritiesasamurderessatlarge。

Arrivedatherdoor，hewasmetbyapersonjustleavingtheroom。

Thepersonwasthemanager。Hewashardlyrecognisable；helookedandspokelikeamaninastateofdesperation。

’Oh，goin，ifyoulike！’hesaidtoHenry。’Markthis，sir！

Iamnotasuperstitiousman；butIdobegintobelievethatcrimescarrytheirowncursewiththem。Thishotelisunderacurse。

Whathappensinthemorning？Wediscoveracrimecommittedintheolddaysofthepalace。Thenightcomes，andbringsanotherdreadfuleventwithit——adeath；asuddenandshockingdeath，inthehouse。

Goin，andseeforyourself！Ishallresignmysituation，Mr。Westwick：Ican’tcontendwiththefatalitiesthatpursuemehere！’

Henryenteredtheroom。

TheCountesswasstretchedonherbed。Thedoctorononeside，andthechambermaidontheother，werestandinglookingather。

Fromtimetotime，shedrewaheavystertorousbreath，likeapersonoppressedinsleeping。’Isshelikelytodie？’

Henryasked。

’Sheisdead，’thedoctoranswered。’Deadoftheruptureofablood-vesselonthebrain。Thosesoundsthatyouheararepurelymechanical——

theymaygoonforhours。’

Henrylookedatthechambermaid。Shehadlittletotell。

TheCountesshadrefusedtogotobed，andhadplacedherselfatherdesktoproceedwithherwriting。Findingituselesstoremonstratewithher，themaidhadlefttheroomtospeaktothemanager。

Intheshortestpossibletime，thedoctorwassummonedtothehotel，andfoundtheCountessdeadonthefloor。Therewasthistotell——

andnomore。

Lookingatthewriting-tableashewentout，HenrysawthesheetofpaperonwhichtheCountesshadtracedherlastlinesofwriting。

Thecharacterswerealmostillegible。Henrycouldjustdistinguishthewords，’FirstAct，’and’PersonsoftheDrama。’ThelostwretchhadbeenthinkingofherPlaytothelast，andhadbegunitalloveragain！

CHAPTERXXVII

Henryreturnedtohisroom。

Hisfirstimpulsewastothrowasidethemanuscript，andnevertolookatitagain。Theonechanceofrelievinghismindfromthedreadfuluncertaintythatoppressedit，byobtainingpositiveevidenceofthetruth，wasachanceannihilatedbytheCountess’sdeath。

Whatgoodpurposecouldbeserved，whatreliefcouldheanticipate，ifhereadmore？

Hewalkedupanddowntheroom。Afteraninterval，histhoughtstookanewdirection；thequestionofthemanuscriptpresenteditselfunderanotherpointofview。Thusfar，hisreadinghadonlyinformedhimthattheconspiracyhadbeenplanned。

Howdidheknowthattheplanhadbeenputinexecution？

Themanuscriptlayjustbeforehimonthefloor。Hehesitated；

thenpickeditup；and，returningtothetable，readonasfollows，fromthepointatwhichhehadleftoff。

’WhiletheCountessisstillabsorbedintheboldyetsimplecombinationofcircumstanceswhichshehasdiscovered，theBaronreturns。

HetakesaseriousviewofthecaseoftheCourier；itmaybenecessary，hethinks，tosendformedicaladvice。Noservantisleftinthepalace，nowtheEnglishmaidhastakenherdeparture。TheBaronhimselfmustfetchthedoctor，ifthedoctorisreallyneeded。

’"Letushavemedicalhelp，byallmeans，"hissisterreplies。

"ButwaitandhearsomethingthatIhavetosaytoyoufirst。"

ShethenelectrifiestheBaronbycommunicatingherideatohim。Whatdangerofdiscoveryhavetheytodread？

MyLord’slifeinVenicehasbeenalifeofabsoluteseclusion：

nobodybuthisbankerknowshim，evenbypersonalappearance。

Hehaspresentedhisletterofcreditasaperfectstranger；

andheandhisbankerhaveneverseeneachothersincethatfirstvisit。Hehasgivennoparties，andgonetonoparties。

Onthefewoccasionswhenhehashiredagondolaortakenawalk，hehasalwaysbeenalone。Thankstotheatrocioussuspicionwhichmakeshimashamedofbeingseenwithhiswife，hehasledtheverylifewhichmakestheproposedenterpriseeasyofaccomplishment。

’ThecautiousBaronlistens——butgivesnopositiveopinion，asyet。

"SeewhatyoucandowiththeCourier，"hesays；"andIwilldecidewhenIheartheresult。OnevaluablehintImaygiveyoubeforeyougo。

Yourmaniseasilytemptedbymoney——ifyouonlyofferhimenough。

Theotherday，Iaskedhim，injest，whathewoulddoforathousandpounds。Heanswered，’Anything。’Bearthatinmind；andofferyourhighestbidwithoutbargaining。"

’ThescenechangestotheCourier’sroom，andshowsthepoorwretchwithaphotographicportraitofhiswifeinhishand，crying。

TheCountessenters。

’Shewiselybeginsbysympathisingwithhercontemplatedaccomplice。

Heisdulygrateful；heconfideshissorrowstohisgraciousmistress。

Nowthathebelieveshimselftobeonhisdeath-bed，hefeelsremorseforhisneglectfultreatmentofhiswife。Hecouldresignhimselftodie；

butdespairoverpowershimwhenheremembersthathehassavednomoney，andthathewillleavehiswidow，withoutresources，tothemercyoftheworld。

’Onthishint，theCountessspeaks。"Supposeyouwereaskedtodoaperfectlyeasything，"shesays；"andsupposeyouwererewardedfordoingitbyapresentofathousandpounds，asalegacyforyourwidow？"

’TheCourierraiseshimselfonhispillow，andlooksattheCountesswithanexpressionofincreduloussurprise。Shecanhardlybecruelenough（hethinks）tojokewithamaninhismiserableplight。

Willshesayplainlywhatthisperfectlyeasythingis，thedoingofwhichwillmeetwithsuchamagnificentreward？

’TheCountessanswersthatquestionbyconfidingherprojecttotheCourier，withouttheslightestreserve。

’Someminutesofsilencefollowwhenshehasdone。TheCourierisnotweakenoughyettospeakwithoutstoppingtothinkfirst。

StillkeepinghiseyesontheCountess，hemakesaquaintlyinsolentremarkonwhathehasjustheard。"Ihavenothithertobeenareligiousman；butIfeelmyselfonthewaytoit。

Sinceyourladyshiphasspokentome，IbelieveintheDevil。"

ItistheCountess’sinteresttoseethehumoroussideofthisconfessionoffaith。Shetakesnooffence。Sheonlysays，"Iwillgiveyouhalfanhourbyyourself，tothinkovermyproposal。

Youareindangerofdeath。Decide，inyourwife’sinterests，whetheryouwilldieworthnothing，ordieworthathousandpounds。"

’Leftalone，theCourierseriouslyconsidershisposition——

anddecides。Heriseswithdifficulty；writesafewlinesonaleaftakenfromhispocket-book；and，withslowandfalteringsteps，leavestheroom。

’TheCountess，returningattheexpirationofthehalf-hour’sinterval，findstheroomempty。Whilesheiswondering，theCourieropensthedoor。Whathashebeendoingoutofhisbed？Heanswers，"Ihavebeenprotectingmyownlife，mylady，onthebarechancethatImayrecoverfromthebronchitisforthethirdtime。

IfyouortheBaronattemptstohurrymeoutofthisworld，ortodeprivemeofmythousandpoundsreward，Ishalltellthedoctorwherehewillfindafewlinesofwriting，whichdescribeyourladyship’splot。Imaynothavestrengthenough，inthecasesupposed，tobetrayyoubymakingacompleteconfessionwithmyownlips；

butIcanemploymylastbreathtospeakthehalf-dozenwordswhichwilltellthedoctorwhereheistolook。Thosewords，itisneedlesstoadd，willbeaddressedtoyourLadyship，ifIfindyourengagementstowardsmefaithfullykept。"

’Withthisaudaciouspreface，heproceedstostatetheconditionsonwhichhewillplayhispartintheconspiracy，anddie（ifhedoesdie）

worthathousandpounds。

’EithertheCountessortheBaronaretotastethefoodanddrinkbroughttohisbedside，inhispresence，andeventhemedicineswhichthedoctormayprescribeforhim。Asforthepromisedsumofmoney，itistobeproducedinonebank-note，foldedinasheetofpaper，onwhichalineistobewritten，dictatedbytheCourier。

Thetwoenclosuresarethentobesealedupinanenvelope，addressedtohiswife，andstampedreadyforthepost。Thisdone，theletteristobeplacedunderhispillow；theBaronortheCountessbeingatlibertytosatisfythemselves，daybyday，attheirowntime，thattheletterremainsinitsplace，withthesealunbroken，aslongasthedoctorhasanyhopeofhispatient’srecovery。

Thelaststipulationfollows。TheCourierhasaconscience；andwithaviewtokeepingiteasy，insiststhatheshallbeleftinignoranceofthatpartoftheplotwhichrelatestothesequestrationofmyLord。

Notthathecaresparticularlywhatbecomesofhismiserlymaster——

buthedoesdisliketakingotherpeople’sresponsibilitiesonhisownshoulders。

’Theseconditionsbeingagreedto，theCountesscallsintheBaron，whohasbeenwaitingeventsinthenextroom。

’HeisinformedthattheCourierhasyieldedtotemptation；

butheisstilltoocautioustomakeanycompromisingremarks。

Keepinghisbackturnedonthebed，heshowsabottletotheCountess。

Itislabelled"Chloroform。"SheunderstandsthatmyLordistoberemovedfromhisroominaconvenientstateofinsensibility。

Inwhatpartofthepalaceishetobehidden？Astheyopenthedoortogoout，theCountesswhispersthatquestiontotheBaron。TheBaronwhispersback，"Inthevaults！"

Thecurtainfalls。’

CHAPTERXXVIII

SotheSecondActended。

TurningtotheThirdAct，Henrylookedwearilyatthepagesasheletthemslipthroughhisfingers。Bothinmindandbody，hebegantofeeltheneedofrepose。

Inoneimportantrespect，thelaterportionofthemanuscriptdifferedfromthepageswhichhehadjustbeenreading。

Signsofanoverwroughtbrainshowedthemselves，hereandthere，astheoutlineoftheplayapproacheditsend。Thehandwritinggrewworseandworse。Someofthelongersentenceswereleftunfinished。

Intheexchangeofdialogue，questionsandanswerswerenotalwaysattributedrespectivelytotherightspeaker。Atcertainintervalsthewriter’sfailingintelligenceseemedtorecoveritselfforawhile；

onlytorelapseagain，andtolosethethreadofthenarrativemorehopelesslythanever。

AfterreadingoneortwoofthemorecoherentpassagesHenryrecoiledfromtheever-darkeninghorrorofthestory。Heclosedthemanuscript，heartsickandexhausted，andthrewhimselfonhisbedtorest。

Thedooropenedalmostatthesamemoment。LordMontbarryenteredtheroom。

’WehavejustreturnedfromtheOpera，’hesaid；’andwehaveheardthenewsofthatmiserablewoman’sdeath。Theysayyouspoketoherinherlastmoments；andIwanttohearhowithappened。’

’Youshallhearhowithappened，’Henryanswered；’andmorethanthat。

Youarenowtheheadofthefamily，Stephen；andIfeelbound，inthepositionwhichoppressesme，toleaveyoutodecidewhatoughttobedone。’

Withthoseintroductorywords，hetoldhisbrotherhowtheCountess’splayhadcomeintohishands。’Readthefirstfewpages，’hesaid。

’Iamanxioustoknowwhetherthesameimpressionisproducedonbothofus。’

BeforeLordMontbarryhadgothalf-waythroughtheFirstAct，hestopped，andlookedathisbrother。’Whatdoesshemeanbyboastingofthisasherowninvention？’heasked。’Wasshetoocrazytorememberthatthesethingsreallyhappened？’

ThiswasenoughforHenry：thesameimpressionhadbeenproducedonbothofthem。’Youwilldoasyouplease，’hesaid。

’Butifyouwillbeguidedbyme，spareyourselfthereadingofthosepagestocome，whichdescribeourbrother’sterribleexpiationofhisheartlessmarriage。’

’Haveyoureaditall，Henry？’

’Notall。Ishrankfromreadingsomeofthelatterpartofit。

NeitheryounorIsawmuchofourelderbrotherafterweleftschool；

and，formypart，Ifelt，andneverscrupledtoexpressmyfeeling，thathebehavedinfamouslytoAgnes。ButwhenIreadthatunconsciousconfessionofthemurderousconspiracytowhichhefellavictim，Iremembered，withsomethinglikeremorse，thatthesamemotherboreus。

Ihavefeltforhimto-night，whatIamashamedtothinkIneverfeltforhimbefore。’

LordMontbarrytookhisbrother’shand。

’Youareagoodfellow，Henry，’hesaid；’butareyouquitesurethatyouhavenotbeenneedlesslydistressingyourself？

Becausesomeofthiscrazycreature’swritingaccidentallytellswhatweknowtobethetruth，doesitfollowthatalltherestistobereliedontotheend？’

’Thereisnopossibledoubtofit，’Henryreplied。

’Nopossibledoubt？’hisbrotherrepeated。’Ishallgoonwithmyreading，Henry——andseewhatjustificationtheremaybeforthatconfidentconclusionofyours。’

Hereadonsteadily，untilhehadreachedtheendoftheSecondAct。

Thenhelookedup。

’Doyoureallybelievethatthemutilatedremainswhichyoudiscoveredthismorningaretheremainsofourbrother？’heasked。

’Anddoyoubelieveitonsuchevidenceasthis？’

Henryansweredsilentlybyasignintheaffirmative。

LordMontbarrycheckedhimself——evidentlyonthepointofenteringanindignantprotest。

’Youacknowledgethatyouhavenotreadthelaterscenesofthepiece，’hesaid。’Don’tbechildish，Henry！Ifyoupersistinpinningyourfaithonsuchstuffasthis，theleastyoucandoistomakeyourselfthoroughlyacquaintedwithit。

WillyoureadtheThirdAct？No？ThenIshallreadittoyou。’

HeturnedtotheThirdAct，andranoverthosefragmentarypassageswhichwereclearlyenoughwrittenandexpressedtobeintelligibletothemindofastranger。

’Hereisasceneinthevaultsofthepalace，’hebegan。’Thevictimoftheconspiracyissleepingonhismiserablebed；andtheBaronandtheCountessareconsideringthepositioninwhichtheystand。

TheCountess（aswellasIcanmakeitout）hasraisedthemoneythatiswantedbyborrowingonthesecurityofherjewelsatFrankfort；

andtheCourierupstairsisstilldeclaredbytheDoctortohaveachanceofrecovery。Whataretheconspiratorstodo，ifthemandoesrecover？ThecautiousBaronsuggestssettingtheprisonerfree。

Ifheventurestoappealtothelaw，itiseasytodeclarethatheissubjecttoinsanedelusion，andtocallhisownwifeaswitness。

Ontheotherhand，iftheCourierdies，howisthesequestratedandunknownnoblemantobeputoutoftheway？Passively，bylettinghimstarveinhisprison？No：theBaronisamanofrefinedtastes；

hedislikesneedlesscruelty。Theactivepolicyremains——

say，assassinationbytheknifeofahiredbravo？TheBaronobjectstotrustinganaccomplice；alsotospendingmoneyonanyonebuthimself。Shalltheydroptheirprisonerintothecanal？

TheBarondeclinestotrustwater；waterwillshowhimonthesurface。

Shalltheysethisbedonfire？Anexcellentidea；butthesmokemightbeseen。No：thecircumstancesbeingnowentirelyaltered，poisoninghimpresentstheeasiestwayoutofit。Hehassimplybecomeasuperfluousperson。Thecheapestpoisonwilldo。——

Isitpossible，Henry，thatyoubelievethisconsultationreallytookplace？’

Henrymadenoreply。Thesuccessionofthequestionsthathadjustbeenreadtohim，exactlyfollowedthesuccessionofthedreamsthathadterrifiedMrs。Norbury，onthetwonightswhichshehadpassedinthehotel。Itwasuselesstopointoutthiscoincidencetohisbrother。Heonlysaid，’Goon。’

LordMontbarryturnedthepagesuntilhecametothenextintelligiblepassage。

’Here，’heproceeded，’isadoublesceneonthestage——sofarasIcanunderstandthesketchofit。TheDoctorisupstairs，innocentlywritinghiscertificateofmyLord’sdecease，bythedeadCourier’sbedside。

Downinthevaults，theBaronstandsbythecorpseofthepoisonedlord，preparingthestrongchemicalacidswhicharetoreduceittoaheapofashes——Surely，itisnotworthwhiletotroubleourselveswithdecipheringsuchmelodramatichorrorsasthese？

Letusgeton！letusgeton！’

Heturnedtheleavesagain；attemptingvainlytodiscoverthemeaningoftheconfusedscenesthatfollowed。Onthelastpagebutone，hefoundthelastintelligiblesentences。

’TheThirdActseemstobedivided，’hesaid，’intotwoPartsorTableaux。IthinkIcanreadthewritingatthebeginningoftheSecondPart。TheBaronandtheCountessopenthescene。

TheBaron’shandsaremysteriouslyconcealedbygloves。

Hehasreducedthebodytoashesbyhisownsystemofcremation，withtheexceptionofthehead——’

Henryinterruptedhisbrotherthere。’Don’treadanymore！’

heexclaimed。

’LetusdotheCountessjustice，’LordMontbarrypersisted。

’TherearenothalfadozenlinesmorethatIcanmakeout！

TheaccidentalbreakingofhisjarofacidhasburnttheBaron’shandsseverely。Heisstillunabletoproceedtothedestructionofthehead——andtheCountessiswomanenough（withallherwickedness）

toshrinkfromattemptingtotakehisplace——whenthefirstnewsisreceivedofthecomingarrivalofthecommissionofinquirydespatchedbytheinsuranceoffices。TheBaronfeelsnoalarm。

Inquireasthecommissionmay，itisthenaturaldeathoftheCourier（inmyLord’scharacter）thattheyareblindlyinvestigating。

Theheadnotbeingdestroyed，theobviousalternativeistohideit——

andtheBaronisequaltotheoccasion。Hisstudiesintheoldlibraryhaveinformedhimofasafeplaceofconcealmentinthepalace。

TheCountessmayrecoilfromhandlingtheacidsandwatchingtheprocessofcremation；butshecansurelysprinklealittledisinfectingpowder——’

’Nomore！’Henryreiterated。’Nomore！’

’Thereisnomorethatcanberead，mydearfellow。Thelastpagelookslikesheerdelirium。Shemaywellhavetoldyouthatherinventionhadfailedher！’

’Facethetruthhonestly，Stephen，andsayhermemory。’

LordMontbarryrosefromthetableatwhichhehadbeensitting，andlookedathisbrotherwithpityingeyes。

’Yournervesareoutoforder，Henry，’hesaid。’Andnowonder，afterthatfrightfuldiscoveryunderthehearth-stone。Wewon’tdisputeaboutit；wewillwaitadayortwountilyouarequiteyourselfagain。

Inthemeantime，letusunderstandeachotherononepointatleast。

Youleavethequestionofwhatistobedonewiththesepagesofwritingtome，astheheadofthefamily？’

’Ido。’

LordMontbarryquietlytookupthemanuscript，andthrewitintothefire。’Letthisrubbishbeofsomeuse，’hesaid，holdingthepagesdownwiththepoker。’Theroomisgettingchilly——

theCountess’splaywillsetsomeofthesecharredlogsflamingagain。’

Hewaitedalittleatthefire-place，andreturnedtohisbrother。

’Now，Henry，Ihavealastwordtosay，andthenIhavedone。

Iamreadytoadmitthatyouhavestumbled，byanunluckychance，ontheproofofacrimecommittedintheolddaysofthepalace，nobodyknowshowlongago。Withthatoneconcession，Idisputeeverythingelse。Ratherthanagreeintheopinionyouhaveformed，Iwon’tbelieveanythingthathashappened。Thesupernaturalinfluencesthatsomeofusfeltwhenwefirstsleptinthishotel——

yourlossofappetite，oursister’sdreadfuldreams，thesmellthatoverpoweredFrancis，andtheheadthatappearedtoAgnes——Ideclarethemalltobesheerdelusions！Ibelieveinnothing，nothing，nothing！’

Heopenedthedoortogoout，andlookedbackintotheroom。

’Yes，’heresumed，’thereisonethingIbelievein。Mywifehascommittedabreachofconfidence——IbelieveAgneswillmarryyou。

Goodnight，Henry。WeleaveVenicethefirstthingto-morrowmorning。

SoLordMontbarrydisposedofthemysteryofTheHauntedHotel。

POSTSCRIPT

AlastchanceofdecidingthedifferenceofopinionbetweenthetwobrothersremainedinHenry’spossession。HehadhisownideaoftheusetowhichhemightputthefalseteethasameansofinquirywhenheandMsfellow-travellersreturnedtoEngland。

Theonlysurvivingdepositaryofthedomestichistoryofthefamilyinpastyears，wasAgnesLockwood’soldnurse。

HenrytookhisfirstopportunityoftryingtoreviveherpersonalrecollectionsofthedeceasedLordMontbarry。ButthenursehadneverforgiventhegreatmanofthefamilyforhisdesertionofAgnes；

sheflatlyrefusedtoconsulthermemory。’Eventhebaresightofmylord，whenIlastsawhiminLondon，’saidtheoldwoman，’mademyfinger-nailsitchtosettheirmarkonhisface。

IwassentonanerrandbyMissAgnes；andImethimcomingoutofhisdentist’sdoor——and，thankGod，that’sthelastIeversawofhim！’

Thankstothenurse’squicktemperandquaintwayofexpressingherself，theobjectofHenry’sinquirieswasgainedalready！

Heventuredonaskingifshehadnoticedthesituationofthehouse。

Shehadnoticed，andstillrememberedthesituation——

didMasterHenrysupposeshehadlosttheuseofhersenses，becauseshehappenedtobenighoneightyyearsold？Thesameday，hetookthefalseteethtothedentist，andsetallfurtherdoubt（ifdoubthadstillbeenpossible）atrestforever。TheteethhadbeenmadeforthefirstLordMontbarry。

Henryneverrevealedtheexistenceofthislastlinkinthechainofdiscoverytoanylivingcreature，hisbrotherStephenincluded。

Hecarriedhisterriblesecretwithhimtothegrave。

Therewasoneothereventinthememorablepastonwhichhepreservedthesamecompassionatesilence。LittleMrs。Ferrarineverknewthatherhusbandhadbeen——not，asshesupposed，theCountess’svictim——

buttheCountess’saccomplice。ShestillbelievedthatthelateLordMontbarryhadsentherthethousand-poundnote，andstillrecoiledfrommakinguseofapresentwhichshepersistedindeclaringhad’thestainofherhusband’sbloodonit。’Agnes，withthewidow’sentireapproval，tookthemoneytotheChildren’sHospital；

andspentitinaddingtothenumberofthebeds。

Inthespringofthenewyear，themarriagetookplace。

AtthespecialrequestofAgnes，themembersofthefamilyweretheonlypersonspresentattheceremony。Therewasnoweddingbreakfast——

andthehoneymoonwasspentintheretirementofacottageonthebanksoftheThames。

Duringthelastfewdaysoftheresidenceofthenewlymarriedcouplebytheriverside，LadyMontbarry’schildrenwereinvitedtoenjoyaday’splayinthegarden。Theeldestgirloverheard（andreportedtohermother）alittleconjugaldialoguewhichtouchedonthetopicofTheHauntedHotel。

’Henry，Iwantyoutogivemeakiss。’

’Thereitis，mydear。’

’NowIamyourwife，mayIspeaktoyouaboutsomething？’

’Whatisit？’

’SomethingthathappenedthedaybeforeweleftVenice。

YousawtheCountess，duringthelasthoursofherlife。

Won’tyoutellmewhethershemadeanyconfessiontoyou？’

’Noconsciousconfession，Agnes——andthereforenoconfessionthatI

needdistressyoubyrepeating。’

’Didshesaynothingaboutwhatshesaworheard，onthatdreadfulnightinmyroom？’

’Nothing。Weonlyknowthathermindneverrecoveredtheterrorofit。’

Agneswasnotquitesatisfied。Thesubjecttroubledher。

Evenherownbriefintercoursewithhermiserablerivalofotherdayssuggestedquestionsthatperplexedher。

SherememberedtheCountess’sprediction。’Youhavetobringmetothedayofdiscovery，andtothepunishmentthatismydoom。’

Hadthepredictionsimplyfaded，likeothermortalprophecies？——

orhaditbeenfulfilledontheterriblenightwhenshehadseentheapparition，andwhenshehadinnocentlytemptedtheCountesstowatchherinherroom？

Letit，however，berecorded，amongtheothervirtuesofMrs。HenryWestwick，thatsheneveragainattemptedtopersuadeherhusbandintobetrayinghissecrets。Othermen’swives，hearingofthisextraordinaryconduct（andbeingtrainedinthemodernschoolofmoralsandmanners），naturallyregardedherwithcompassionatecontempt。TheyspokeofAgnes，fromthattimeforth，as’ratheranold-fashionedperson。’

Isthatall？

Thatisall。

IstherenoexplanationofthemysteryofTheHauntedHotel？

Askyourselfifthereisanyexplanationofthemysteryofyourownlifeanddeath。——Farewell。