Готель з привидами
Chapter XIV
Havingdrawnherownconclusionsinprivate,Mrs.Carburytookthefirstfavourableopportunity(inArthur’sinterests)ofputtingthemtothetest.
’Idon’tknowwhatIshalldo,’shesaidoneday,’whenArthurgoesaway.’
MissHaldanelookedupquicklyfromherwork.’Surelyheisnotgoingtoleaveus!’sheexclaimed.
’Mydear!hehasalreadystayedathisuncle’shouseamonthlongerthanheintended.Hisfatherandmothernaturallyexpecttoseehimathomeagain.’
MissHaldanemetthisdifficultywithasuggestion,whichcouldonlyhaveproceededfromajudgmentalreadydisturbedbytheravagesofthetenderpassion.’Whycan’thisfatherandmothergoandseehimatLordMontbarry’s?’sheasked.’SirTheodore’splaceisonlythirtymilesaway,andLadyBarvilleisLordMontbarry’ssister.Theyneedn’tstandonceremony.’
’Theymayhaveotherengagements,’Mrs.Carburyremarked.
’Mydearaunt,wedon’tknowthat!SupposeyouaskArthur?’
’Supposeyouaskhim?’
MissHaldanebentherheadagainoverherwork.Suddenlyasitwasdone,heraunthadseenherface—andherfacebetrayedher.
WhenArthurcamethenextday,Mrs.Carburysaidawordtohiminprivate,whileherniecewasinthegarden.Thelastnewnovellayneglectedonthetable.ArthurfollowedMissHaldaneintothegarden.Thenextdayhewrotehome,enclosinginhisletteraphotographofMissHaldane.Beforetheendoftheweek,SirTheodoreandLadyBarvillearrivedatLordMontbarry’s,andformedtheirownjudgmentofthefidelityoftheportrait
