Готель з привидами
Chapter XI
’DidyoupermitFerrari,’sheresumed,’tomakesureofbeingchosenforourcourierbyusingyourname?’
Agnesdidnotreplywithhercustomarydirectness.Triflingasitwas,thereferencetoMontbarry,proceedingfromthatwomanofallothers,confusedandagitatedher.
’IhaveknownFerrari’swifeformanyyears,’shebegan.’AndItakeaninterest—’
LadyMontbarryabruptlyliftedherhandswithagestureofentreaty.’Ah,MissLockwood,don’twastetimebytalkingofhiswife!Answermyplainquestion,plainly!’
’Letmeanswerher,’Henrywhispered.’Iwillundertaketospeakplainlyenough.’
Agnesrefusedbyagesture.LadyMontbarry’sinterruptionhadrousedhersenseofwhatwasduetoherself.Sheresumedherreplyinplainerterms.
’WhenFerrariwrotetothelateLordMontbarry,’shesaid,’hedidcertainlymentionmyname.’
Evennow,shehadinnocentlyfailedtoseetheobjectwhichhervisitorhadinview.LadyMontbarry’simpatiencebecameungovernable.Shestartedtoherfeet,andadvancedtoAgnes.
’WasitwithyourknowledgeandpermissionthatFerrariusedyourname?’sheasked.’Thewholesoulofmyquestionisinthat.ForGod’ssakeanswerme—Yes,orNo!’
’Yes.’
ThatonewordstruckLadyMontbarryasablowmighthavestruckher.Thefiercelifethathadanimatedherfacetheinstantbefore,fadedoutofitsuddenly,andleftherlikeawomanturnedtostone.Shestood,mechanicallyconfrontingAgnes,withastillnesssowraptandperfectthatnoteventhebreathshedrewwasperceptibletothetwopersonswhowerelookingather.
