Готель з привидами

           Shecameinandorderedherbreakfastquietly,lookingdullandwornandself-absorbed,asshehadlookedwhenhelastsawher.Hehastenedtohertable,andaskedifanythinghadhappenedinthenight.

           ’Nothing,’sheanswered.

           ’Youhaverestedaswellasusual?’

           ’Quiteaswellasusual.Haveyouhadanylettersthismorning?Haveyouheardwhensheiscoming?’

           ’Ihavehadnoletters.Areyoureallygoingtostayhere?Hasyourexperienceoflastnightnotalteredtheopinionwhichyouexpressedtomeyesterday?’

           ’Notintheleast.’

           ThemomentarygleamofanimationwhichhadcrossedherfacewhenshequestionedhimaboutAgnes,diedoutofitagainwhenheansweredher.Shelooked,shespoke,sheateherbreakfast,withavacantresignation,likeawomanwhohaddonewithhopes,donewithinterests,donewitheverythingbutthemechanicalmovementsandinstinctsoflife.

           Franciswentout,onthecustomarytravellers’pilgrimagetotheshrinesofTitianandTintoret.Aftersomehoursofabsence,hefoundaletterwaitingforhimwhenhegotbacktothehotel.ItwaswrittenbyhisbrotherHenry,anditrecommendedhimtoreturntoMilanimmediately.TheproprietorofaFrenchtheatre,recentlyarrivedfromVenice,wastryingtoinducethefamousdancerwhomFrancishadengagedtobreakfaithwithhimandacceptahighersalary.

           Havingmadethisstartlingannouncement,HenryproceededtoinformhisbrotherthatLordandLadyMontbarry,withAgnesandthechildren,wouldarriveinVeniceinthreedaysmore.