Отель с привидениями

           Thestartlingcontrastbetweenthecorpse-likepallorofhercomplexionandtheoverpoweringlifeandlight,theglitteringmetallicbrightnessinherlargeblackeyes,heldhimliterallyspell-bound.Shewasdressedindarkcolours,withperfecttaste;shewasofmiddleheight,and(apparently)ofmiddleage—sayayearortwooverthirty.Herlowerfeatures—thenose,mouth,andchin—possessedthefinenessanddelicacyofformwhichisoftenerseenamongwomenofforeignracesthanamongwomenofEnglishbirth.Shewasunquestionablyahandsomeperson—withtheoneseriousdrawbackofherghastlycomplexion,andwiththelessnoticeabledefectofatotalwantoftendernessintheexpressionofhereyes.Apartfromhisfirstemotionofsurprise,thefeelingsheproducedintheDoctormaybedescribedasanoverpoweringfeelingofprofessionalcuriosity.Thecasemightprovetobesomethingentirelynewinhisprofessionalexperience.’Itlookslikeit,’hethought;’andit’sworthwaitingfor.’

           Sheperceivedthatshehadproducedastrongimpressionofsomekinduponhim,anddroppedherholdonhisarm.

           ’Youhavecomfortedmanymiserablewomeninyourtime,’shesaid.’Comfortonemore,to-day.’

           Withoutwaitingtobeanswered,sheledthewaybackintotheroom.

           TheDoctorfollowedher,andclosedthedoor.Heplacedherinthepatients’chair,oppositethewindows.EveninLondonthesun,onthatsummerafternoon,wasdazzlinglybright.Theradiantlightflowedinonher.Hereyesmetitunflinchingly,withthesteelysteadinessoftheeyesofaneagle.