Готель з привидами
Chapter XXV
’
AgnesshudderedatthebaresuggestionofanotherinterviewwiththeCountess.
’Ican’t!Idaren’t!’sheexclaimed.’Afterwhathashappenedinthathorribleroom,sheismorerepellenttomethanever.Don’taskmetodoit,Henry!Feelmyhand—youhaveturnedmeascoldasdeathonlywithtalkingofit!’
Shewasnotexaggeratingtheterrorthatpossessedher.Henryhastenedtochangethesubject.
’Letustalkofsomethingmoreinteresting,’hesaid.’Ihaveaquestiontoaskyouaboutyourself.AmIrightinbelievingthatthesooneryougetawayfromVenicethehappieryouwillbe?’
’Right?’sherepeatedexcitedly.’Youaremorethanright!NowordscansayhowIlongtobeawayfromthishorribleplace.ButyouknowhowIamsituated—youheardwhatLordMontbarrysaidatdinner-time?’
’Supposehehasalteredhisplans,sincedinner-time?’Henrysuggested.
Agneslookedsurprised.’IthoughthehadreceivedlettersfromEnglandwhichobligedhimtoleaveVeniceto-morrow,’shesaid.
’Quitetrue,’Henryadmitted.’HehadarrangedtostartforEnglandto-morrow,andtoleaveyouandLadyMontbarryandthechildrentoenjoyyourholidayinVenice,undermycare.Circumstanceshaveoccurred,however,whichhaveforcedhimtoalterhisplans.Hemusttakeyouallbackwithhimto-morrowbecauseIamnotabletoassumethechargeofyou.IamobligedtogiveupmyholidayinItaly,andreturntoEnglandtoo.’
Agneslookedathiminsomelittleperplexity:shewasnotquitesurewhethersheunderstoodhimornot.
’Areyoureallyobligedtogoback?’sheasked.
