Отель с привидениями

           Inthepresentstateofhermind,Idoubtifshewillbemuchlongercapableofrealizingherwildideaofyouastheavengingangelwhoistobringhertoareckoningforherevildeeds.Itmaybewelltotrywhatyourinfluencecandowhilesheisstillcapableoffeelingit.’

           HewaitedtohearwhatAgneswouldsay.Shetookhisarmandledhiminsilencetothedoor.

           Theyascendedtothesecondfloor,and,afterknocking,enteredtheCountess’sroom.

           Shewasstillbusilyengagedinwriting.Whenshelookedupfromthepaper,andsawAgnes,avacantexpressionofdoubtwastheonlyexpressioninherwildblackeyes.Afterafewmoments,thelostremembrancesandassociationsappearedtoreturnslowlytohermind.Thependroppedfromherhand.Haggardandtrembling,shelookedcloseratAgnes,andrecognisedheratlast.’Hasthetimecomealready?’shesaidinlowawe-strucktones.’Givemealittlelongerrespite,Ihaven’tdonemywritingyet!’

           Shedroppedonherknees,andheldoutherclaspedhandsentreatingly.Agneswasfarfromhavingrecovered,aftertheshockthatshehadsufferedinthenight:hernerveswerefarfrombeingequaltothestrainthatwasnowlaidonthem.ShewassostartledbythechangeintheCountess,thatshewasatalosswhattosayortodonext.Henrywasobligedtospeaktoher.’Putyourquestionswhileyouhavethechance,’hesaid,loweringhisvoice.’See!thevacantlookiscomingoverherfaceagain.’

           Agnestriedtorallyhercourage.’Youwereinmyroomlastnight—’shebegan.