Отель с привидениями

           ’Comeandkeepmecompanywhilemyhusbandisaway.Mythreelittlegirlswillmakeyoutheirplayfellow,andtheonlystrangeryouwillmeetisthegoverness,whomIanswerforyourlikingbeforehand.Packupyourthings,andIwillcallforyouto-morrowonmywaytothetrain.’Inthoseheartytermstheinvitationwasgiven.Agnesthankfullyacceptedit.Forthreehappymonthsshelivedundertheroofofherfriend.Thegirlshungroundherintearsatherdeparture;theyoungestofthemwantedtogobackwithAgnestoLondon.Halfinjest,halfinearnest,shesaidtoheroldfriendatparting,’Ifyourgovernessleavesyou,keeptheplaceopenforme.’Mrs.Westwicklaughed.Thewiserchildrentookitseriously,andpromisedtoletAgnesknow.

           OntheverydaywhenMissLockwoodreturnedtoLondon,shewasrecalledtothoseassociationswiththepastwhichshewasmostanxioustoforget.Afterthefirstkissingsandgreetingswereover,theoldnurse(whohadbeenleftinchargeatthelodgings)hadsomestartlinginformationtocommunicate,derivedfromthecourier’swife.

           ’HerehasbeenlittleMrs.Ferrari,mydear,inadreadfulstateofmind,inquiringwhenyouwouldbeback.HerhusbandhasleftLordMontbarry,withoutawordofwarning—andnobodyknowswhathasbecomeofhim.’

           Agneslookedatherinastonishment.’Areyousureofwhatyouaresaying?’sheasked.

           Thenursewasquitesure.’Why,Lordblessyou!thenewscomesfromthecouriers’officeinGoldenSquare—fromthesecretary,MissAgnes,thesecretaryhimself!’Hearingthis,Agnesbegantofeelalarmedaswellassurprised.