Готель з привидами
Chapter XIX
Iwonderifyouhavequiteforgottenmybigblackeyesandmyhideouscomplexion?’Sheliftedherveilasshespoke,andturnedsothatthemoonlightrestedonherface.
Francisrecognisedataglancethewomanofallotherswhomhemostcordiallydisliked—thewidowofhisdeadbrother,thefirstLordMontbarry.Hefrownedashelookedather.Hisexperienceonthestage,gatheredatinnumerablerehearsalswithactresseswhohadsorelytriedhistemper,hadaccustomedhimtospeakroughlytowomenwhoweredistastefultohim.’Irememberyou,’hesaid.’IthoughtyouwereinAmerica!’
Shetooknonoticeofhisungracioustoneandmanner;shesimplystoppedhimwhenheliftedhishat,andturnedtoleaveher.
’Letmewalkwithyouforafewminutes,’shequietlyreplied.’Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou.’
Heshowedherhiscigar.’Iamsmoking,’hesaid.
’Idon’tmindsmoking.’
Afterthat,therewasnothingtobedone(shortofdownrightbrutality)buttoyield.Hediditwiththeworstpossiblegrace.’Well?’heresumed.’Whatdoyouwantofme?’
’Youshallheardirectly,Mr.Westwick.Letmefirsttellyouwhatmypositionis.Iamaloneintheworld.Tothelossofmyhusbandhasnowbeenaddedanotherbereavement,thelossofmycompanioninAmerica,mybrother—BaronRivar.’
ThereputationoftheBaron,andthedoubtwhichscandalhadthrownonhisassumedrelationshiptotheCountess,werewellknowntoFrancis.’Shotinagambling-saloon?’heaskedbrutally.
