Готель з привидами

           Youmustoftenhaveheardhimtalkaboutfourthandfifthacts—youmusthaveseenrehearsals,andalltherestofit.’SheabruptlythrustthemanuscriptintoHenry’shand.’Ican’treadittoyou,’shesaid;’IfeelgiddywhenIlookatmyownwriting.Justrunyoureyeoverit,there’sagoodfellow—andgivemeahint.’

           Henryglancedatthemanuscript.Hehappenedtolookatthelistofthepersonsofthedrama.AshereadthelisthestartedandturnedabruptlytotheCountess,intendingtoaskherforsomeexplanation.Thewordsweresuspendedonhislips.Itwasbuttooplainlyuselesstospeaktoher.Herheadlaybackontherailofthechair.Sheseemedtobehalfasleepalready.Theflushonherfacehaddeepened:shelookedlikeawomanwhowasindangerofhavingafit.

           Herangthebell,anddirectedthemanwhoansweredittosendoneofthechambermaidsupstairs.HisvoiceseemedtopartiallyrousetheCountess;sheopenedhereyesinaslowdrowsyway.’Haveyoureadit?’sheasked.

           Itwasnecessaryasamereactofhumanitytohumourher.’Iwillreaditwillingly,’saidHenry,’ifyouwillgoupstairstobed.YoushallhearwhatIthinkofitto-morrowmorning.Ourheadswillbeclearer,weshallbebetterabletomakethefourthactinthemorning.’

           Thechambermaidcameinwhilehewasspeaking.’Iamafraidtheladyisill,’Henrywhispered.’Takeheruptoherroom.’ThewomanlookedattheCountessandwhisperedback,’Shallwesendforadoctor,sir?’

           Henryadvisedtakingherupstairsfirst,andthenaskingthemanager’sopinion