Chapter XI

           ’LadyMontbarry,Miss.’

           Agneswaswritingaletter,whentheservantastonishedherbyannouncingthevisitor’sname.Herfirstimpulsewastorefusetoseethewomanwhohadintrudedonher.ButLadyMontbarryhadtakencaretofollowcloseontheservant’sheels.BeforeAgnescouldspeak,shehadenteredtheroom.

           ’Ibegtoapologiseformyintrusion,MissLockwood.Ihaveaquestiontoaskyou,inwhichIamverymuchinterested.Noonecananswermebutyourself.’Inlowhesitatingtones,withherglitteringblackeyesbentmodestlyontheground,LadyMontbarryopenedtheinterviewinthosewords.

           Withoutanswering,Agnespointedtoachair.Shecoulddothis,and,forthetime,shecoulddonomore.AllthatshehadreadofthehiddenandsinisterlifeinthepalaceatVenice;allthatshehadheardofMontbarry’smelancholydeathandburialinaforeignland;allthatsheknewofthemysteryofFerrari’sdisappearance,rushedintohermind,whentheblack-robedfigureconfrontedher,standingjustinsidethedoor.ThestrangeconductofLadyMontbarryaddedanewperplexitytothedoubtsandmisgivingsthattroubledher.TherestoodtheadventuresswhosecharacterhadleftitsmarkonsocietyalloverEurope—theFurywhohadterrifiedMrs.Ferrariatthehotel—inconceivablytransformedintoatimid,shrinkingwoman!LadyMontbarryhadnotonceventuredtolookatAgnes,sinceshehadmadeherwayintotheroom.Advancingtotakethechairthathadbeenpointedouttoher,shehesitated,putherhandontherailtosupportherself,andstillremainedstanding.