Готель з привидами

           Sheleftthebed-chamber,lockingthemaindoorbehindher.

           Immediatelyonherdeparture,theCountess,oppressedbytheconfinedairinthewardrobe,venturedonsteppingoutofherhidingplaceintotheemptyroom.

           Enteringthedressing-room,shelistenedatthedoor,untilthesilenceoutsideinformedherthatthecorridorwasempty.Uponthis,sheunlockedthedoor,and,passingout,closeditagainsoftly;leavingittoallappearance(whenviewedontheinnerside)ascarefullysecuredasAgneshadseenitwhenshetriedthekeyinthelockwithherownhand.

           WhiletheMontbarryswerestillatdinner,HenryWestwickjoinedthem,arrivingfromMilan.

           Whenheenteredtheroom,andagainwhenheadvancedtoshakehandswithher,AgneswasconsciousofalatentfeelingwhichsecretlyreciprocatedHenry’sunconcealedpleasureonmeetingheragain.Foramomentonly,shereturnedhislook;andinthatmomentherownobservationtoldherthatshehadsilentlyencouragedhimtohope.Shesawitinthesuddenglowofhappinesswhichoverspreadhisface;andsheconfusedlytookrefugeintheusualconventionalinquiriesrelatingtotherelativeswhomhehadleftatMilan.

           Takinghisplaceatthetable,HenrygaveamostamusingaccountofthepositionofhisbrotherFrancisbetweenthemercenaryopera-dancerononeside,andtheunscrupulousmanageroftheFrenchtheatreontheother.Mattershadproceededtosuchextremities,thatthelawhadbeencalledontointerfere,andhaddecidedthedisputeinfavourofFrancis.