Готель з привидами

           TheMontbarrysremainedatParis,untilitwastimetopresentthemselvesatthefamilymeetinginVenice.HenryfoundthemstillintheFrenchcapital,whenhearrivedfromLondononhiswaytotheopeningofthenewhotel.

           AgainstLadyMontbarry’sadvice,hetooktheopportunityofrenewinghisaddressestoAgnes.Hecouldhardlyhavechosenamoreunpropitioustimeforpleadinghiscausewithher.ThegaietiesofParis(quiteincomprehensiblytoherselfaswellastoeveryoneabouther)hadadepressingeffectonherspirits.Shehadnoillnesstocomplainof;shesharedwillinglyintheever-varyingsuccessionofamusementsofferedtostrangersbytheingenuityoftheliveliestpeopleintheworld—butnothingrousedher:sheremainedpersistentlydullandwearythroughitall.Inthisframeofmindandbody,shewasinnohumourtoreceiveHenry’sill-timedaddresseswithfavour,orevenwithpatience:sheplainlyandpositivelyrefusedtolistentohim.’WhydoyouremindmeofwhatIhavesuffered?’sheaskedpetulantly.’Don’tyouseethatithasleftitsmarkonmeforlife?’

           ’IthoughtIknewsomethingofwomenbythistime,’Henrysaid,appealingprivatelytoLadyMontbarryforconsolation.’ButAgnescompletelypuzzlesme.ItisayearsinceMontbarry’sdeath;andsheremainsasdevotedtohismemoryasifhehaddiedfaithfultoher—shestillfeelsthelossofhim,asnoneofusfeelit!’

           ’Sheisthetruestwomanthateverbreathedthebreathoflife,’LadyMontbarryanswered.’Rememberthat,andyouwillunderstandher.