Готель з привидами

           ’Gotothechurch?’herepeated.’Iwouldassoongoto—’Hecheckedhimselfthere.’Howcanyouask?’headdedinlowertones.’IhaveneverspokentoMontbarry,Ihavenotevenseenhim,sincehetreatedyoulikethescoundrelandthefoolthatheis.’

           Shelookedathimsuddenly,withoutsayingaword.Heunderstoodher,andbeggedherpardon.Buthewasstillangry.’Thereckoningcomestosomemen,’hesaid,’eveninthisworld.Hewilllivetoruethedaywhenhemarriedthatwoman!’

           Agnestookachairbyhisside,andlookedathimwithagentlesurprise.

           ’Isitquitereasonabletobesoangrywithher,becauseyourbrotherpreferredhertome?’sheasked.

           Henryturnedonhersharply.’DoyoudefendtheCountess,ofallthepeopleintheworld?’

           ’Whynot?’Agnesanswered.’Iknownothingagainsther.Ontheonlyoccasionwhenwemet,sheappearedtobeasingularlytimid,nervousperson,lookingdreadfullyill;andbeingindeedsoillthatshefaintedundertheheatofmyroom.Whyshouldwenotdoherjustice?Weknowthatshewasinnocentofanyintentiontowrongme;weknowthatshewasnotawareofmyengagement—’

           Henryliftedhishandimpatiently,andstoppedher.’Thereissuchathingasbeingtoojustandtooforgiving!’heinterposed.’Ican’tbeartohearyoutalkinthatpatientway,afterthescandalouslycruelmannerinwhichyouhavebeentreated.Trytoforgetthemboth,Agnes.IwishtoGodIcouldhelpyoutodoit!’

           Agneslaidherhandonhisarm.’Youareverygoodtome,Henry;butyoudon’tquiteunderstandme.