Готель з привидами

           ItwaswithgreatreluctancethatIaddedtoLadyMontbarry’sdistress;butIfeltbound,whenshesuggestedaconsultationwithanotherphysician,toownthatItoothoughttherewasreallyneedforit.

           ’"Herladyshipinstructedmetosparenoexpense,andtogetthebestmedicalopinioninItaly.Thebestopinionwashappilywithinourreach.ThefirstandforemostofItalianphysiciansisTorelloofPadua.Isentaspecialmessengerforthegreatman.Hearrivedontheeveningofthe21st,andconfirmedmyopinionthatpneumoniahadsetin,andthatourpatient’slifewasindanger.Itoldhimwhatmytreatmentofthecasehadbeen,andheapprovedofitineveryparticular.Hemadesomevaluablesuggestions,and(atLadyMontbarry’sexpressrequest)heconsentedtodeferhisreturntoPaduauntilthefollowingmorning.

           ’"Webothsawthepatientatintervalsinthecourseofthenight.Thedisease,steadilyadvancing,setourutmostresistanceatdefiance.InthemorningDoctorTorellotookhisleave.’Icanbeofnofurtheruse,’hesaidtome.’Themanispastallhelp—andheoughttoknowit.’

           ’"LaterinthedayIwarnedmylord,asgentlyasIcould,thathistimehadcome.Iaminformedthatthereareseriousreasonsformystatingwhatpassedbetweenusonthisoccasion,indetail,andwithoutanyreserve.Icomplywiththerequest.

           ’"LordMontbarryreceivedtheintelligenceofhisapproachingdeathwithbecomingcomposure,butwithacertaindoubt.Hesignedtometoputmyeartohismouth.