The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

her resolution. She went straight fro

l in debate. She was a Frenchwoman, and, on being appealed to, she settled the question in the swift, easy, rational French way. 'Madame's appearance was perfectly respectable. Madame might have reasons for not mentioning her name which

themselves (apparently by the exercise of a spasmodic effort of will) into the performance of acts of the most audacious courage. A low, grave voice from the inner room said, 'Come in.' The maid, opening the door, announced, 'A person to see you, Miladi, on business,' and immediately retired. In the one inst

ybrow had seen her in his consulting-room. Her beauty was gone-her face had fallen away to mere skin and bone; the contrast between her ghastly complexion and her steely glittering black eyes was more startling than ever. Robed in dismal black, relieved only by the brilliant whiteness of her widow's cap-rec

ady worn itself out. The bold words that she had determined to sp

stranger. 'Are you deaf?' she asked. There was another pause. Lady Montbarry quie

ife. She recovered her courage; she found her voice. 'Look at me, m

r the third time. The fatal wo

ledge the receipt of the mo

the faintest expression of confusion or alarm, not even a momentary flutter of interest stirred the deadly stillness of her

ay suddenly-the smile at once so sad and so cruel-showed itself on her thin lips. She lifted her screen,

rry, rising on the sofa for the first time, watched her with undisguised scrutiny as she crossed the room-then sank back into a reclining posi

by the insult, Mrs. Ferrari instantly answered

foreigners among you people in the streets. Of course I can't be insolent to you, in return. I hardly know what to say to you. My maid was imprudent in admitting you so easily to my room. I suppose y

all restraints. She advanced to the sofa; she fea

! Ah! it was an evil hour when Miss Lockwood reco

'Stay here, you fool-stay here, and answer me! If you cry out, as sure as the heavens are above you, I'll strangle you with my own hands. Sit down again-and fear nothing. Wretch! It is I who am frightened-frightened out of my senses. Confess that you lied, when you used Miss Lockwood's name just now! No! I don't believe you on your oath; I will believe nobody but Miss Lockwood herself. Where does she live? Tell me that, you noxious stinging little insect-and you may go.' Terrified as she was, Mrs. Ferrari hesitated. Lady Montbarry li

bell. The m

and bonnet

the cloak and bonn

door-before I

rself in the glass, and wheeled round again,

, don't I?' she said with a grim ou

to fear, so long as you obey,' she whispered, on the way downstair

'My good friend Mrs. Ferrari; I am so glad to have seen her.' The landlady accompanied them to the door.

areless of the woman whom she had bent to her iron will as if no such person sat by her side, she preserved a sinister silence, until they reached the house where Miss L

his fare. The next moment she had knocked at the house-door. 'Is Miss Lockwoo

m?' asked the dr

ess helpless at Lady Montbarry's mercy? She was still vainly endeavouring to decide on the course that she ought t

call on Miss Agn

errari clasped her hands in g

irectly. That dreadful woman is wi

man?' He

e looked at Mrs. Ferrari as she pronounced the hated name of 'Lady Montbarry.' 'I'll see