Готель з привидами
Chapter XXII
Herthoughtsrevertedtothemiserablemanwhohadbrokenhispledgedfaithtoher,andwhohaddiedinthathouse.SomechangeseemedtohavecomeoverhersinceherarrivalinVenice;somenewinfluenceappearedtobeatwork.Forthefirsttimeinherexperienceofherself,compassionandregretwerenottheonlyemotionsarousedinherbytheremembranceofthedeadMontbarry.Akeensenseofthewrongthatshehadsuffered,neveryetfeltbythatgentleandforgivingnature,wasfeltbyitnow.ShefoundherselfthinkingofthebygonedaysofherhumiliationalmostasharshlyasHenryWestwickhadthoughtofthem—shewhohadrebukedhimthelasttimehehadspokenslightinglyofhisbrotherinherpresence!Asuddenfearanddoubtofherself,startledherphysicallyaswellasmorally.Sheturnedfromtheshadowyabyssofthedarkwaterasifthemysteryandthegloomofithadbeenanswerablefortheemotionswhichhadtakenherbysurprise.Abruptlyclosingthewindow,shethrewasidehershawl,andlitthecandlesonthemantelpiece,impelledbyasuddencravingforlightinthesolitudeofherroom.
Thecheeringbrightnessroundher,contrastingwiththeblackgloomoutside,restoredherspirits.Shefeltherselfenjoyingthelightlikeachild!
Woulditbewell(sheaskedherself)togetreadyforbed?No!Thesenseofdrowsyfatiguethatshehadfelthalfanhoursincewasgone.Shereturnedtothedullemploymentofunpackingherboxes.Afterafewminutesonly,theoccupationbecameirksometoheroncemore.Shesatdownbythetable,andtookupaguide-book.
