Отель с привидениями
Chapter IV
’Gotothechurch?’herepeated.’Iwouldassoongoto—’Hecheckedhimselfthere.’Howcanyouask?’headdedinlowertones.’IhaveneverspokentoMontbarry,Ihavenotevenseenhim,sincehetreatedyoulikethescoundrelandthefoolthatheis.’
Shelookedathimsuddenly,withoutsayingaword.Heunderstoodher,andbeggedherpardon.Buthewasstillangry.’Thereckoningcomestosomemen,’hesaid,’eveninthisworld.Hewilllivetoruethedaywhenhemarriedthatwoman!’
Agnestookachairbyhisside,andlookedathimwithagentlesurprise.
’Isitquitereasonabletobesoangrywithher,becauseyourbrotherpreferredhertome?’sheasked.
Henryturnedonhersharply.’DoyoudefendtheCountess,ofallthepeopleintheworld?’
’Whynot?’Agnesanswered.’Iknownothingagainsther.Ontheonlyoccasionwhenwemet,sheappearedtobeasingularlytimid,nervousperson,lookingdreadfullyill;andbeingindeedsoillthatshefaintedundertheheatofmyroom.Whyshouldwenotdoherjustice?Weknowthatshewasinnocentofanyintentiontowrongme;weknowthatshewasnotawareofmyengagement—’
Henryliftedhishandimpatiently,andstoppedher.’Thereissuchathingasbeingtoojustandtooforgiving!’heinterposed.’Ican’tbeartohearyoutalkinthatpatientway,afterthescandalouslycruelmannerinwhichyouhavebeentreated.Trytoforgetthemboth,Agnes.IwishtoGodIcouldhelpyoutodoit!’
Agneslaidherhandonhisarm.’Youareverygoodtome,Henry;butyoudon’tquiteunderstandme.
