Готель з привидами
Chapter IX
Troyrepeated,inblankamazement.
’Yes,sir!LordMontbarryknewme,likealltheothermembersofhisfamily,whenIwasatschoolontheestateinIreland.Ifhecouldhavedoneit,hewouldhaveprotectedmypoordearhusband.ButhewashelplesshimselfinthehandsofmyladyandtheBaron—andtheonlykindthinghecoulddowastoprovideformeinmywidowhood,likethetruenoblemanhewas!’
’Averyprettyexplanation!’saidMr.Troy.’Whatdidyourvisitorsfromtheinsuranceofficesthinkofit?’
’TheyaskedifIhadanyproofofmyhusband’sdeath.’
’Andwhatdidyousay?’
’Isaid,"Igiveyoubetterthanproof,gentlemen;Igiveyoumypositiveopinion."’
’Thatsatisfiedthem,ofcourse?’
’Theydidn’tsaysoinwords,sir.Theylookedateachother—andwishedmegood-morning.’
’Well,Mrs.Ferrari,unlessyouhavesomemoreextraordinarynewsforme,IthinkIshallwishyougood-morningtoo.Icantakeanoteofyourinformation(verystartlinginformation,Iown);and,intheabsenceofproof,Icandonomore.’
’Icanprovideyouwithproof,sir—ifthatisallyouwant,’saidMrs.Ferrari,withgreatdignity.’Ionlywishtoknow,first,whetherthelawjustifiesmeindoingit.Youmayhaveseeninthefashionableintelligenceofthenewspapers,thatLadyMontbarryhasarrivedinLondon,atNewbury’sHotel.Iproposetogoandseeher.’
’Thedeuceyoudo!MayIaskforwhatpurpose?’
Mrs.Ferrariansweredinamysteriouswhisper.
