Готель з привидами

           Beforeshecouldaddawordmore,theCountessliftedherhands,andwrungthemaboveherheadwithalowmoanofhorror.Agnesshrankback,andturnedasiftoleavetheroom.Henrystoppedher,andwhisperedtohertotryagain.Sheobeyedhimafteraneffort.’Isleptlastnightintheroomthatyougaveuptome,’sheresumed.’Isaw—’

           TheCountesssuddenlyrosetoherfeet.’Nomoreofthat,’shecried.’Oh,JesuMaria!doyouthinkIwanttobetoldwhatyousaw?DoyouthinkIdon’tknowwhatitmeansforyouandforme?Decideforyourself,Miss.Examineyourownmind.Areyouwellassuredthatthedayofreckoninghascomeatlast?Areyoureadytofollowmeback,throughthecrimesofthepast,tothesecretsofthedead?’

           Shereturnedagaintothewriting-table,withoutwaitingtobeanswered.Hereyesflashed;shelookedlikeheroldselfoncemoreasshespoke.Itwasonlyforamoment.Theoldardourandimpetuositywerenearlywornout.Herheadsank;shesighedheavilyassheunlockedadeskwhichstoodonthetable.Openingadrawerinthedesk,shetookoutaleafofvellum,coveredwithfadedwriting.Someraggedendsofsilkenthreadwerestillattachedtotheleaf,asifithadbeentornoutofabook.

           ’CanyoureadItalian?’sheasked,handingtheleaftoAgnes.

           Agnesansweredsilentlybyaninclinationofherhead.

           ’Theleaf,’theCountessproceeded,’oncebelongedtoabookintheoldlibraryofthepalace,whilethisbuildingwasstillapalace.Bywhomitwastornoutyouhavenoneedtoknow.