Готель з привидами
Chapter XXII
Byslowdegrees,thatstrangedoubly-blendedodour,whichtheCommissionershaddiscoveredinthevaultsoftheoldpalace—whichhadsickenedFrancisWestwickinthebed-chamberofthenewhotel—spreaditsfetidexhalationsovertheroom.Downwardanddownwardthehideousapparitionmadeitsslowprogress,untilitstoppedcloseoverAgnes—stopped,andturnedslowly,sothatthefaceofitconfrontedtheupturnedfaceofthewomaninthechair.
Therewasapause.Then,asupernaturalmovementdisturbedtherigidreposeofthedeadface.
Theclosedeyelidsopenedslowly.Theeyesrevealedthemselves,brightwiththeglassyfilmofdeath—andfixedtheirdreadfullookonthewomaninthechair.
Agnessawthatlook;sawtheeyelidsofthelivingwomanopenslowlyliketheeyelidsofthedead;sawherrise,asifinobediencetosomesilentcommand—andsawnomore.
Hernextconsciousimpressionwasofthesunlightpouringinatthewindow;ofthefriendlypresenceofLadyMontbarryatthebedside;andofthechildren’swonderingfacespeepinginatthedoor.
