Готель з привидами
Chapter II
Forthelasttime,sir,whatamI—ademonwhohasseentheavengingangel?oronlyapoormadwoman,misledbythedelusionofaderangedmind?’
DoctorWybrowrosefromhischair,determinedtoclosetheinterview.
Hewasstronglyandpainfullyimpressedbywhathehadheard.Thelongerhehadlistenedtoher,themoreirresistiblytheconvictionofthewoman’swickednesshadforceditselfonhim.Hetriedvainlytothinkofherasapersontobepitied—apersonwithamorbidlysensitiveimagination,consciousofthecapacitiesforevilwhichliedormantinusall,andstrivingearnestlytoopenherhearttothecounter-influenceofherownbetternature;theeffortwasbeyondhim.Aperverseinstinctinhimsaid,asifinwords,Bewarehowyoubelieveinher!
’Ihavealreadygivenyoumyopinion,’hesaid.’Thereisnosignofyourintellectbeingderanged,orbeinglikelytobederanged,thatmedicalsciencecandiscover—asIunderstandit.Asfortheimpressionsyouhaveconfidedtome,Icanonlysaythatyoursisacase(asIventuretothink)forspiritualratherthanformedicaladvice.Ofonethingbeassured:whatyouhavesaidtomeinthisroomshallnotpassoutofit.Yourconfessionissafeinmykeeping.’
Sheheardhim,withacertaindoggedresignation,totheend.
’Isthatall?’sheasked.
’Thatisall,’heanswered.
Sheputalittlepaperpacketofmoneyonthetable.’Thankyou,sir.Thereisyourfee.’
Withthosewordssherose.
