Готель з привидами

           Forsomelittletime,shepersistedinthemonotonousoccupationoftransferringherclothesfromhertrunktothewardrobe.Thelargeclockinthehall,strikingmid-night,remindedherthatitwasgettinglate.Shesatdownforamomentinanarm-chairbythebedside,torest.

           Thesilenceinthehousenowcaughtherattention,andheldit—helditdisagreeably.Waseverybodyinbedandasleepbutherself?Surelyitwastimeforhertofollowthegeneralexample?Withacertainirritablenervoushaste,sheroseagainandundressedherself.’Ihavelosttwohoursofrest,’shethought,frowningatthereflectionofherselfintheglass,asshearrangedherhairforthenight.’Ishallbegoodfornothingto-morrow!’

           Shelitthenight-light,andextinguishedthecandles—withoneexception,whichsheremovedtoalittletable,placedonthesideofthebedoppositetothesideoccupiedbythearm-chair.Havingputhertravelling-boxofmatchesandtheguide-booknearthecandle,incaseshemightbesleeplessandmightwanttoread,sheblewoutthelight,andlaidherheadonthepillow.

           Thecurtainsofthebedwereloopedbacktolettheairpassfreelyoverher.Lyingonherleftside,withherfaceturnedawayfromthetable,shecouldseethearm-chairbythedimnight-light.Ithadachintzcovering—representinglargebunchesofrosesscatteredoverapalegreenground.Shetriedtowearyherselfintodrowsinessbycountingoverandoveragainthebunchesofrosesthatwerevisiblefromherpointofview.