Отель с привидениями

           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.