Отель с привидениями
Chapter IV
TherehadbeenalongpasttimewhenHenryWestwickhadownedthathelovedher.Shehadmadeherconfessiontohim,acknowledgingthatherheartwasgiventohiseldestbrother.Hehadsubmittedtohisdisappointment;andtheyhadmetthenceforthascousinsandfriends.Neverbeforehadsheassociatedtheideaofhimwithembarrassingrecollections.Butnow,ontheverydaywhenhisbrother’smarriagetoanotherwomanhadconsummatedhisbrother’streasontowardsher,therewassomethingvaguelyrepellentintheprospectofseeinghim.Theoldnurse(whorememberedthembothintheircradles)observedherhesitation;andsympathisingofcoursewiththeman,putinatimelywordforHenry.’Hesays,he’sgoingaway,mydear;andheonlywantstoshakehands,andsaygood-bye.’Thisplainstatementofthecasehaditseffect.Agnesdecidedonreceivinghercousin.
HeenteredtheroomsorapidlythathesurprisedherintheactofthrowingthefragmentsofMontbarry’slastletterintothefire.Shehurriedlyspokefirst.
’YouareleavingLondonverysuddenly,Henry.Isitbusiness?orpleasure?’
Insteadofansweringher,hepointedtotheflamingletter,andtosomeblackashesofburntpaperlyinglightlyinthelowerpartofthefireplace.
’Areyouburningletters?’
’Yes.’
’Hisletters?’
’Yes.’
Hetookherhandgently.’IhadnoideaIwasintrudingonyou,atatimewhenyoumustwishtobealone.Forgiveme,Agnes—IshallseeyouwhenIreturn.’
Shesignedtohim,withafaintsmile,totakeachair.
’Wehaveknownoneanothersincewewerechildren,’shesaid.
