Готель з привидами

           Yousee,Ihadafainthopethathergoodcharactermightnotreallybedeserved,thathernobleletterwasaskilfulpieceofhypocrisy—inshort,thatshesecretlyhatedme,andwascunningenoughtohideit.No!theladyhadbeenherfriendfromhergirlhood,wasasfamiliarwithherasiftheyhadbeensisters—knewherpositivelytobeasgood,asinnocent,asincapableofhatinganybody,asthegreatestsaintthateverlived.Myonelasthope,thatIhadonlyfeltanordinaryforewarningofdangerinthepresenceofanordinaryenemy,wasahopedestroyedforever.TherewasonemoreeffortIcouldmake,andImadeit.IwentnexttothemanwhomIamtomarry.Iimploredhimtoreleasemefrommypromise.Herefused.IdeclaredIwouldbreakmyengagement.Heshowedmelettersfromhissisters,lettersfromhisbrothers,andhisdearfriends—allentreatinghimtothinkagainbeforehemademehiswife;allrepeatingreportsofmeinParis,Vienna,andLondon,whicharesomanyvilelies."Ifyourefusetomarryme,"hesaid,"youadmitthatthesereportsaretrue—youadmitthatyouareafraidtofacesocietyinthecharacterofmywife."WhatcouldIanswer?Therewasnocontradictinghim—hewasplainlyright:ifIpersistedinmyrefusal,theutterdestructionofmyreputationwouldbetheresult.Iconsentedtolettheweddingtakeplaceaswehadarrangedit—andlefthim.Thenighthaspassed.Iamhere,withmyfixedconviction—thatinnocentwomanisordainedtohaveafatalinfluenceovermylife.Iamherewithmyonequestiontoput,totheonemanwhocananswerit.