Готель з привидами

           ShewasnowabouttopasshersecondnightintheroomoccupiedintheolddaysofthepalacebyBaronRivar.

           Oncemore,shefellasleepasusual.And,oncemore,thefrightfuldreamsofthefirstnightterrifiedher,followingeachotherinthesamesuccession.Thistimehernerves,alreadyshaken,werenotequaltotherenewedtortureofterrorinflictedonthem.Shethrewonherdressing-gown,andrushedoutofherroominthemiddleofthenight.Theporter,alarmedbythebangingofthedoor,metherhurryingheadlongdownthestairs,insearchofthefirsthumanbeingshecouldfindtokeephercompany.Considerablysurprisedatthislastnewmanifestationofthefamous’Englisheccentricity,’themanlookedatthehotelregister,andledtheladyupstairsagaintotheroomoccupiedbyhermaid.Themaidwasnotasleep,and,morewonderfulstill,wasnotevenundressed.Shereceivedhermistressquietly.Whentheywerealone,andwhenMrs.Norburyhad,asamatterofnecessity,takenherattendantintoherconfidence,thewomanmadeaverystrangereply.

           ’Ihavebeenaskingaboutthehotel,attheservants’supperto-night,’shesaid.’ThevaletofoneofthegentlemenstayingherehasheardthatthelateLordMontbarrywasthelastpersonwholivedinthepalace,beforeitwasmadeintoanhotel.Theroomhediedin,ma’am,wastheroomyousleptinlastnight.Yourroomtonightistheroomjustaboveit.Isaidnothingforfearoffrighteningyou.Formyownpart,Ihavepassedthenightasyousee,keepingmylighton,andreadingmyBible.