Готель з привидами

           IfSirTheodoreBarvilleputsitonthatfooting,thelawyers,eveniftheydonotallowhiswifetolookatthereport,willatleastansweranydiscreetquestionsshemayaskreferringtoit.Letmehearwhatyouthinkofthissuggestion,atyourearliestconvenience.’

           Thereplywasreceivedbyreturnofpost.AgnesdeclinedtoavailherselfofMr.Troy’sproposal.

           ’Myinterference,innocentasitwas,’shewrote,’hasalreadybeenproductiveofsuchdeplorableresults,thatIcannotanddarenotstiranyfurtherinthecaseofFerrari.IfIhadnotconsentedtoletthatunfortunatemanrefertomebyname,thelateLordMontbarrywouldneverhaveengagedhim,andhiswifewouldhavebeensparedthemiseryandsuspensefromwhichsheissufferingnow.Iwouldnotevenlookatthereporttowhichyoualludeifitwasplacedinmyhands—IhaveheardmorethanenoughalreadyofthathideouslifeinthepalaceatVenice.IfMrs.FerrarichoosestoaddressherselftoLadyBarville(withyourassistance),thatisofcoursequiteanotherthing.But,eveninthiscase,Imustmakeitapositiveconditionthatmynameshallnotbementioned.Forgiveme,dearMr.Troy!Iamveryunhappy,andveryunreasonable—butIamonlyawoman,andyoumustnotexpecttoomuchfromme.’

           Foiledinthisdirection,thelawyernextadvisedmakingtheattempttodiscoverthepresentaddressofLadyMontbarry’sEnglishmaid.Thisexcellentsuggestionhadonedrawback:itcouldonlybecarriedoutbyspendingmoney—andtherewasnomoneytospend.Mrs.