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Chapter XIX
’PerhapsMissLockwoodisnotgoingtherewiththerestofyou?’sheburstoutwithsuddeneagerness.’Areyoupositivelysureshewillbeatthehotel?’
’Positively!Haven’tItoldyouthatMissLockwoodtravelswithLordandLadyMontbarry?anddon’tyouknowthatsheisamemberofthefamily?Youwillhavetomove,Countess,toourhotel.’
Shewasperfectlyimpenetrabletothebanteringtoneinwhichhespoke.’Yes,’shesaidfaintly,’Ishallhavetomovetoyourhotel.’Herhandwasstillonhisarm—hecouldfeelhershiveringfromheadtofootwhileshespoke.Heartilyashedislikedanddistrustedher,thecommoninstinctofhumanityobligedhimtoaskifshefeltcold.
’Yes,’shesaid.’Coldandfaint.’
’Coldandfaint,Countess,onsuchanightasthis?’
’Thenighthasnothingtodowithit,Mr.Westwick.Howdoyousupposethecriminalfeelsonthescaffold,whilethehangmanisputtingtheropearoundhisneck?Coldandfaint,too,Ishouldthink.Excusemygrimfancy.Yousee,Destinyhasgottheroperoundmyneck—andIfeelit.’
Shelookedabouther.Theywereatthatmomentclosetothefamouscafeknownas’Florian’s.’’Takemeinthere,’shesaid;’Imusthavesomethingtoreviveme.Youhadbetternothesitate.Youareinterestedinrevivingme.IhavenotsaidwhatIwantedtosaytoyouyet.It’sbusiness,andit’sconnectedwithyourtheatre.’
Wonderinginwardlywhatshecouldpossiblywantwithhistheatre,Francisreluctantlyyieldedtothenecessitiesofthesituation,andtookherintothecafe.
