the haunted hotel(闹鬼的旅馆)-第36节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
in itself； but unworthy of a moment's serious attention。
While the gentlemen were absent from the hotel； the room which had
129
… Page 130…
THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
been already associated with so many startling circumstances； became the
scene of another strange event in which Lady Montbarry's eldest child was
concerned。
Little Marian had been got ready for bed as usual； and had （so far）
taken hardly any notice of the new room。 As she knelt down to say her
prayers； she happened to look up at that part of the ceiling above her
which was just over the head of the bed。 The next instant she alarmed
Agnes； by starting to her feet with a cry of terror； and pointing to a small
brown spot on one of the white panelled spaces of the carved ceiling。 'It's a
spot of blood！' the child exclaimed。 'Take me away！ I won't sleep here！'
Seeing plainly that it would be useless to reason with her while she
was in the room； Agnes hurriedly wrapped Marian in a dressing…gown； and
carried her back to her mother in the drawing…room。 Here； the ladies did
their best to soothe and reassure the trembling girl。 The effort proved to be
useless； the impression that had been produced on the young and sensitive
mind was not to be removed by persuasion。 Marian could give no
explanation of the panic of terror that had seized her。 She was quite
unable to say why the spot on the ceiling looked like the colour of a spot
of blood。 She only knew that she should die of terror if she saw it again。
Under these circumstances； but one alternative was left。 It was arranged
that the child should pass the night in the room occupied by her two
younger sisters and the nurse。
In half an hour more； Marian was peacefully asleep with her arm
around her sister's neck。 Lady Montbarry went back with Agnes to her
room to see the spot on the ceiling which had so strangely frightened the
child。 It was so small as to be only just perceptible； and it had in all
probability been caused by the carelessness of a workman； or by a
dripping from water accidentally spilt on the floor of the room above。
'I really cannot understand why Marian should place such a shocking
interpretation on such a trifling thing；' Lady Montbarry remarked。
'I suspect the nurse is in some way answerable for what has happened；'
Agnes suggested。 'She may quite possibly have been telling Marian
some tragic nursery story which has left its mischievous impression
130
… Page 131…
THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
behind it。 Persons in her position are sadly ignorant of the danger of
exciting a child's imagination。 You had better caution the nurse to…
morrow。'
Lady Montbarry looked round the room with admiration。 'Is it not
prettily decorated？' she said。 'I suppose； Agnes； you don't mind sleeping
here by yourself。？'
Agnes laughed。 'I feel so tired；' she replied； 'that I was thinking of
bidding you good…night； instead of going back to the drawing…room。'
Lady Montbarry turned towards the door。 'I see your jewel…case on
the table；' she resumed。 'Don't forget to lock the other door there； in the
dressing…room。'
'I have already seen to it； and tried the key myself；' said Agnes。 'Can I
be of any use to you before I go to bed？'
'No； my dear； thank you； I feel sleepy enough to follow your example。
Good night； Agnesand pleasant dreams on your first night in Venice。'
131
… Page 132…
THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
CHAPTER XXII
Having closed and secured the door on Lady Montbarry's departure；
Agnes put on her dressing…gown； and； turning to her open boxes； began
the business of unpacking。 In the hurry of making her toilet for dinner；
she had taken the first dress that lay uppermost in the trunk； and had
thrown her travelling costume on the bed。 She now opened the doors of
the wardrobe for the first time； and began to hang her dresses on the hooks
in the large compartment on one side。
After a few minutes only of this occupation； she grew weary of it； and
decided on leaving the trunks as they were； until the next morning。 The
oppressive south wind； which had blown throughout the day； still
prevailed at night。 The atmosphere of the room felt close； Agnes threw a
shawl over her head and shoulders； and； opening the window； stepped into
the balcony to look at the view。
The night was heavy and overcast： nothing could be distinctly seen。
The canal beneath the window looked like a black gulf； the opposite
houses were barely visible as a row of shadows； dimly relieved against the
starless and moonless sky。 At long intervals； the warning cry of a belated
gondolier was just audible； as he turned the corner of a distant canal； and
called to invisible boats which might be approaching him in the darkness。
Now and then； the nearer dip of an oar in the water told of the viewless
passage of other gondolas bringing guests back to the hotel。 Excepting
these rare sounds； the mysterious night…silence of Venice was literally the
silence of the grave。
Leaning on the parapet of the balcony； Agnes looked vacantly into the
black void beneath。 Her thoughts reverted to the miserable man who had
broken his pledged faith to her； and who had died in that house。 Some
change seemed to have come over her since her arrival in Venice； some
new influence appeared to be at work。 For the first time in her
experience of herself； compassion and regret were not the only emotions
aroused in her by the remembrance of the dead Montbarry。 A keen sense of
132
… Page 133…
THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
the wrong that she had suffered； never yet felt by that gentle and forgiving
nature； was felt by it now。 She found herself thinking of the bygone days
of her humiliation almost as harshly as Henry Westwick had thought of
them she who had rebuked him the last time he had spoken slightingly of
his brother in her presence！ A sudden fear and doubt of herself； startled
her physically as well as morally。 She turned from the shadowy abyss of
the dark water as if the mystery and the gloom of it had been answerable
for the emotions which had taken her by surprise。 Abruptly closing the
window； she threw aside her shawl； and lit the candles on the mantelpiece；
impelled by a sudden craving for light in the solitude of her room。
The cheering brightness round her； contrasting with the black gloom
outside； restored her spirits。 She felt herself enjoying the light like a
child！
Would it be well （she asked herself） to get ready for bed？ No！ The
sense of drowsy fatigue that she had felt half an hour since was gone。 She
returned to the dull employment of unpacking her boxes。 After a few
minutes only； the occupation became irksome to her once more。 She sat
down by the table； and took up a guide…book。 'Suppose I inform myself；'
she thought； 'on the subject of Venice？'
Her attention wandered from the book； before she had turned the first
page of it。
The image of Henry Westwick was the presiding image in her memory
now。 Recalling the minutest incidents and details of the evening； she could
think of nothing which presented him under other than a favourable and
interesting aspect。 She smiled to herself softly； her colour rose by fine
gradations； as she felt the full luxury of dwelling on the perfect truth and
modesty of his devotion to her。 Was the depression of spirits from which
she had suffered so persistently on her travels attributable； by any chance；
to their long separation from each otherembittered perhaps by her own
vain regret when she remembered her harsh
