Готель з привидами
Chapter XIII
’
’Ah,yes—Ihaveheardofher.AMrs.Carbury,withaveryprettynieceIamtold.But,Mrs.Rolland,youleftmyservicesometimeago.Mrs.Carburywillsurelyexpectyoutorefertothelastmistressbywhomyouwereemployed.’
AflashofvirtuousindignationirradiatedMrs.Rolland’ssunkeneyes.Shecoughedbeforesheanswered,asifher’lastmistress’stuckinherthroat.
’IhaveexplainedtoMrs.Carbury,mylady,thatthepersonIlastserved—Ireallycannotgiveherhertitleinyourladyship’spresence!—hasleftEnglandforAmerica.Mrs.CarburyknowsthatIquittedthepersonofmyownfreewill,andknowswhy,andapprovesofmyconductsofar.Awordfromyourladyshipwillbeamplysufficienttogetmethesituation.’
’Verywell,Mrs.Rolland,Ihavenoobjectiontobeyourreference,underthecircumstances.Mrs.Carburywillfindmeathometo-morrowuntiltwoo’clock.’
’Mrs.Carburyisnotwellenoughtoleavethehouse,mylady.Herniece,MissHaldane,willcallandmaketheinquiries,ifyourladyshiphasnoobjection.’
’Ihavenottheleastobjection.Theprettyniececarriesherownwelcomewithher.Waitaminute,Mrs.Rolland.ThisladyisMissLockwood—myhusband’scousin,andmyfriend.SheisanxioustospeaktoyouaboutthecourierwhowasinthelateLordMontbarry’sserviceatVenice.’
Mrs.Rolland’sbushyeyebrowsfrownedinsterndisapprovalofthenewtopicofconversation.’Iregrettohearit,mylady,’wasallshesaid.
’PerhapsyouhavenotbeeninformedofwhathappenedafteryouleftVenice?’Agnesventuredtoadd.
