Кармілла
A Petition
Mydaughterwillobservethesamesecrecy,andIwellknowthatyouwill,fromtimetotime,remindher,lestsheshouldthoughtlesslydiscloseit.’
"Shewhisperedafewwordstoherdaughter,kissedherhurriedlytwice,andwentaway,accompaniedbythepalegentlemaninblack,anddisappearedinthecrowd.
"‘Inthenextroom,’saidMillarca,‘thereisawindowthatlooksuponthehalldoor.Ishouldliketoseethelastofmamma,andtokissmyhandtoher.’
"Weassented,ofcourse,andaccompaniedhertothewindow.Welookedout,andsawahandsomeold-fashionedcarriage,withatroopofcouriersandfootmen.Wesawtheslimfigureofthepalegentlemaninblack,asheheldathickvelvetcloak,andplaceditabouthershouldersandthrewthehoodoverherhead.Shenoddedtohim,andjusttouchedhishandwithhers.Hebowedlowrepeatedlyasthedoorclosed,andthecarriagebegantomove.
"‘Sheisgone,’saidMillarca,withasigh.
"‘Sheisgone,’Irepeatedtomyself,forthefirsttime—inthehurriedmomentsthathadelapsedsincemyconsent—reflectinguponthefollyofmyact.
"‘Shedidnotlookup,’saidtheyounglady,plaintively.
"‘TheCountesshadtakenoffhermask,perhaps,anddidnotcaretoshowherface,’Isaid;‘andshecouldnotknowthatyouwereinthewindow.’
"Shesighed,andlookedinmyface.ShewassobeautifulthatIrelented.IwassorryIhadforamomentrepentedofmyhospitality,andIdeterminedtomakeheramendsfortheunavowedchurlishnessofmyreception.
