Iamfilledwithpresentimentswhichmakethiswickedlifeofmineonelongterrortome。Itdoesn’tmatter，justnow，whattheyare。
Enoughthattheyabsolutelygovernme——theydrivemeoverlandandseaattheirownhorriblewill；theyareinme，andtorturingme，atthismoment！Whydon’tIresistthem？Ha！butIdoresistthem。
Iamtrying（withthehelpofthegoodpunch）toresistthemnow。
AtintervalsIcultivatethedifficultvirtueofcommonsense。
Sometimes，soundsensemakesahopefulwomanofme。Atonetime，Ihadthehopethatwhatseemedrealitytomewasonlymaddelusion，afterall——IevenaskedthequestionofanEnglishdoctor！
Atothertimes，othersensibledoubtsofmyselfbesetme。
Neverminddwellingonthemnow——italwaysendsintheoldterrorsandsuperstitionstakingpossessionofmeagain。Inaweek’stime，IshallknowwhetherDestinydoesindeeddecidemyfutureforme，orwhetherIdecideitformyself。Inthelastcase，myresolutionistoabsorbthisself-tormentingfancyofmineintheoccupationthatIhavetoldyouofalready。Doyouunderstandmealittlebetternow？And，ourbusinessbeingsettled，dearMr。Westwick，shallwegetoutofthishotroomintothenicecoolairagain？’
Theyrosetoleavethecafe。FrancisprivatelyconcludedthatthemaraschinopunchofferedtheonlydiscoverableexplanationofwhattheCountesshadsaidtohim。
CHAPTERXX
’ShallIseeyouagain？’sheasked，assheheldoutherhandtotakeleave。’Itisquiteunderstoodbetweenus，Isuppose，abouttheplay？’
Francisrecalledhisextraordinaryexperienceofthateveninginthere-numberedroom。’MystayinVeniceisuncertain，’hereplied。
’Ifyouhaveanythingmoretosayaboutthisdramaticventureofyours，itmaybeaswelltosayitnow。Haveyoudecidedonasubjectalready？
IknowthepublictasteinEnglandbetterthanyoudo——Imightsaveyousomewasteoftimeandtrouble，ifyouhavenotchosenyoursubjectwisely。’
’Idon’tcarewhatsubjectIwriteabout，solongasIwrite，’
sheansweredcarelessly。’Ifyouhavegotasubjectinyourhead，giveittome。Ianswerforthecharactersandthedialogue。’
’Youanswerforthecharactersandthedialogue，’Francisrepeated。
’That’saboldwayofspeakingforabeginner！IwonderifI
shouldshakeyoursublimeconfidenceinyourself，ifIsuggestedthemostticklishsubjecttohandlewhichisknowntothestage？
Whatdoyousay，Countess，toenteringthelistswithShakespeare，andtryingadramawithaghostinit？Atruestory，mind！foundedoneventsinthisverycityinwhichyouandIareinterested。’
Shecaughthimbythearm，anddrewhimawayfromthecrowdedcolonnadeintothesolitarymiddlespaceofthesquare。
’Nowtellme！’shesaideagerly。’Here，wherenobodyisnearus。
HowamIinterestedinit？How？how？’
Stillholdinghisarm，sheshookhiminherimpatiencetohearthecomingdisclosure。Foramomenthehesitated。Thusfar，amusedbyherignorantbeliefinherself，hehadmerelyspokeninjest。
Now，forthefirsttime，impressedbyherirresistibleearnestness，hebegantoconsiderwhathewasaboutfromamoreseriouspointofview。
Withherknowledgeofallthathadpassedintheoldpalace，beforeitstransformationintoanhotel，itwassurelypossiblethatshemightsuggestsomeexplanationofwhathadhappenedtohisbrother，andsister，andhimself。Or，failingtodothis，shemightaccidentallyrevealsomeeventinherownexperiencewhich，actingasahinttoacompetentdramatist，mightprovetobethemakingofaplay。
Theprosperityofhistheatrewashisoneseriousobjectinlife。
’Imaybeonthetraceofanother\"CorsicanBrothers，\"’hethought。
’Anewpieceofthatsortwouldbetenthousandpoundsinmypocket，atleast。’
Withthesemotives（worthyofthesingle-hearteddevotiontodramaticbusinesswhichmadeFrancisasuccessfulmanager）
herelated，withoutfurtherhesitation，whathisownexperiencehadbeen，andwhattheexperienceofhisrelativeshadbeen，inthehauntedhotel。HeevendescribedtheoutbreakofsuperstitiousterrorwhichhadescapedMrs。Norbury’signorantmaid。
’Sadstuff，ifyoulookatitreasonably，’heremarked。
’Butthereissomethingdramaticinthenotionoftheghostlyinfluencemakingitselffeltbytherelationsinsuccession，astheyoneafteranotherenterthefatalroom——untiltheonechosenrelativecomeswhowillseetheUnearthlyCreature，andknowtheterribletruth。
Materialforaplay，Countess——first-ratematerialforaplay！’
Therehepaused。Sheneithermovednorspoke。Hestoopedandlookedcloserather。
Whatimpressionhadheproduced？Itwasanimpressionwhichhisutmostingenuityhadfailedtoanticipate。Shestoodbyhisside——
justasshehadstoodbeforeAgneswhenherquestionaboutFerrariwasplainlyansweredatlast——likeawomanturnedtostone。
Hereyeswerevacantandrigid；allthelifeinherfacehadfadedoutofit。Francistookherbythehand。Herhandwasascoldasthepavementthattheywerestandingon。Heaskedherifshewasill。
Notamuscleinhermoved。Hemightaswellhavespokentothedead。
’Surely，’hesaid，’youarenotfoolishenoughtotakewhatI
havebeentellingyouseriously？’
Herlipsmovedslowly。Asitseemed，shewasmakinganefforttospeaktohim。
’Louder，’hesaid。’Ican’thearyou。’
Shestruggledtorecoverpossessionofherself。Afaintlightbegantosoftenthedullcoldstareofhereyes。Inamomentmoreshespokesothathecouldhearher。
’Ineverthoughtoftheotherworld，’shemurmured，inlowdulltones，likeawomantalkinginhersleep。
HermindhadgonebacktothedayofherlastmemorableinterviewwithAgnes；shewasslowlyrecallingtheconfessionthathadescapedher，thewarningwordswhichshehadspokenatthatpasttime。
Necessarilyincapableofunderstandingthis，Francislookedatherinperplexity。Shewentoninthesamedullvacanttone，steadilyfollowingoutherowntrainofthought，withherheedlesseyesonhisface，andherwanderingmindfarawayfromhim。
’Isaidsometriflingeventwouldbringustogetherthenexttime。
Iwaswrong。Notriflingeventwillbringustogether。
IsaidImightbethepersonwhotoldherwhathadbecomeofFerrari，ifsheforcedmetoit。ShallIfeelsomeotherinfluencethanhers？
Willheforcemetoit？Whensheseeshim，shallIseehimtoo？’
Herheadsankalittle；herheavyeyelidsdroppedslowly；
sheheavedalonglowwearysigh。Francisputherarminhis，andmadeanattempttorouseher。
’Come，Countess，youarewearyandover-wrought。Wehavehadenoughtalkingto-night。Letmeseeyousafebacktoyourhotel。
Isitfarfromhere？’
Shestartedwhenhemoved，andobligedhertomovewithhim，asifhehadsuddenlyawakenedheroutofadeepsleep。
’Notfar，’shesaidfaintly。’Theoldhotelonthequay。
Mymind’sinastrangestate；Ihaveforgottenthename。’
’Danieli’s？’
’Yes！’
Heledheronslowly。SheaccompaniedhiminsilenceasfarastheendofthePiazzetta。There，whenthefullviewofthemoonlitLagoonrevealeditself，shestoppedhimasheturnedtowardstheRivadegliSchiavoni。’Ihavesomethingtoaskyou。
Iwanttowaitandthink。’
Sherecoveredherlostidea，afteralongpause。
’Areyougoingtosleepintheroomto-night？’sheasked。
Hetoldherthatanothertravellerwasinpossessionoftheroomthatnight。’Butthemanagerhasreserveditformeto-morrow，’
headded，’ifIwishtohaveit。’
’No，’shesaid。’Youmustgiveitup。’
’Towhom？’
’Tome！’
Hestarted。’AfterwhatIhavetoldyou，doyoureallywishtosleepinthatroomto-morrownight？’
’Imustsleepinit。’
’Areyounotafraid？’
’Iamhorriblyafraid。’
’SoIshouldhavethought，afterwhatIhaveobservedinyouto-night。
Whyshouldyoutaketheroom？youarenotobligedtooccupyit，unlessyoulike。’
’IwasnotobligedtogotoVenice，whenIleftAmerica，’sheanswered。
’AndyetIcamehere。Imusttaketheroom，andkeeptheroom，until——’
Shebrokeoffatthosewords。’Nevermindtherest，’shesaid。
’Itdoesn’tinterestyou。’
Itwasuselesstodisputewithher。Francischangedthesubject。
’Wecandonothingto-night，’hesaid。’Iwillcallonyouto-morrowmorning，andhearwhatyouthinkofitthen。’
Theymovedonagaintothehotel。Astheyapproachedthedoor，FrancisaskedifshewasstayinginVeniceunderherownname。
Sheshookherhead。’Asyourbrother’swidow，Iamknownhere。
AsCountessNarona，Iamknownhere。Iwanttobeunknown，thistime，tostrangersinVenice；IamtravellingunderacommonEnglishname。’
Shehesitated，andstoodstill。’Whathascometome？’
shemutteredtoherself。’SomethingsIremember；andsomeIforget。
IforgotDanieli’s——andnowIforgetmyEnglishname。’
Shedrewhimhurriedlyintothehallofthehotel，onthewallofwhichhungalistofvisitors’names。Runningherfingerslowlydownthelist，shepointedtotheEnglishnamethatshehadassumed：——’Mrs。James。’
’Rememberthatwhenyoucallto-morrow，’shesaid。’Myheadisheavy。
Goodnight。’
Franciswentbacktohisownhotel，wonderingwhattheeventsofthenextdaywouldbringforth。Anewturninhisaffairshadtakenplaceinhisabsence。Ashecrossedthehall，hewasrequestedbyoneoftheservantstowalkintotheprivateoffice。
Themanagerwaswaitingtherewithagravelypre-occupiedmanner，asifhehadsomethingserioustosay。HeregrettedtohearthatMr。FrancisWestwickhad，likeothermembersofthefamily，discoveredserioussourcesofdiscomfortinthenewhotel。
HehadbeeninformedinstrictconfidenceofMr。Westwick’sextraordinaryobjectiontotheatmosphereofthebedroomupstairs。
Withoutpresumingtodiscussthematter，hemustbegtobeexcusedfromreservingtheroomforMr。Westwickafterwhathadhappened。
Francisansweredsharply，alittleruffledbythetoneinwhichthemanagerhadspokentohim。’Imight，verypossibly，havedeclinedtosleepintheroom，ifyouhadreservedit，’hesaid。
’Doyouwishmetoleavethehotel？’
Themanagersawtheerrorthathehadcommitted，andhastenedtorepairit。’Certainlynot，sir！Wewilldoourbesttomakeyoucomfortablewhileyoustaywithus。Ibegyourpardon，ifIhavesaidanythingtooffendyou。Thereputationofanestablishmentlikethisisamatterofveryseriousimportance。
MayIhopethatyouwilldousthegreatfavourtosaynothingaboutwhathashappenedupstairs？ThetwoFrenchgentlemenhavekindlypromisedtokeepitasecret。’
ThisapologyleftFrancisnopolitealternativebuttograntthemanager’srequest。’ThereisanendtotheCountess’swildscheme，’hethoughttohimself，asheretiredforthenight。
’SomuchthebetterfortheCountess！’
Heroselatethenextmorning。InquiringforhisParisianfriends，hewasinformedthatboththeFrenchgentlemenhadleftforMilan。
Ashecrossedthehall，onhiswaytotherestaurant，henoticedtheheadporterchalkingthenumbersoftheroomsonsomearticlesofluggagewhichwerewaitingtogoupstairs。
Onetrunkattractedhisattentionbytheextraordinarynumberofoldtravellinglabelsleftonit。Theporterwasmarkingitatthemoment——andthenumberwas，’13A。’Francisinstantlylookedatthecardfastenedonthelid。ItborethecommonEnglishname，’Mrs。James’！Heatonceinquiredaboutthelady。Shehadarrivedearlythatmorning，andshewasthenintheReadingRoom。
Lookingintotheroom，hediscoveredaladyinitalone。
Advancingalittlenearer，hefoundhimselffacetofacewiththeCountess。
Shewasseatedinadarkcorner，withherheaddownandherarmscrossedoverherbosom。’Yes，’shesaid，inatoneofwearyimpatience，beforeFranciscouldspeaktoher。’Ithoughtitbestnottowaitforyou——Ideterminedtogetherebeforeanybodyelsecouldtaketheroom。’
’Haveyoutakenitforlong？’Francisasked。
’YoutoldmeMissLockwoodwouldbehereinaweek’stime。
Ihavetakenitforaweek。’
’WhathasMissLockwoodtodowithit？’
’Shehaseverythingtodowithit——shemustsleepintheroom。
Ishallgivetheroomuptoherwhenshecomeshere。’
Francisbegantounderstandthesuperstitiouspurposethatshehadinview。’Areyou（aneducatedwoman）reallyofthesameopinionasmysister’smaid！’heexclaimed。’Assumingyourabsurdsuperstitiontobeaseriousthing，youaretakingthewrongmeanstoproveittrue。IfIandmybrotherandsisterhaveseennothing，howshouldAgnesLockwooddiscoverwhatwasnotrevealedtous？
SheisonlydistantlyrelatedtotheMontbarrys——sheisonlyourcousin。’
’ShewasnearertotheheartoftheMontbarrywhoisdeadthananyofyou，’theCountessansweredsternly。’Tothelastdayofhislife，mymiserablehusbandrepentedhisdesertionofher。
Shewillseewhatnoneofyouhaveseen——sheshallhavetheroom。’
Francislistened，utterlyatalosstoaccountforthemotivesthatanimatedher。’Idon’tseewhatinterestyouhaveintryingthisextraordinaryexperiment，’hesaid。
’Itismyinterestnottotryit！ItismyinteresttoflyfromVenice，andneverseteyesonAgnesLockwoodoranyofyourfamilyagain！’
’Whatpreventsyoufromdoingthat？’
Shestartedtoherfeetandlookedathimwildly。’Iknownomorewhatpreventsmethanyoudo！’sheburstout。’Somewillthatisstrongerthanminedrivesmeontomydestruction，inspiteofmyownself！’
Shesuddenlysatdownagain，andwavedherhandforhimtogo。
’Leaveme，’shesaid。’Leavemetomythoughts。’
Francislefther，firmlypersuadedbythistimethatshewasoutofhersenses。Fortherestoftheday，hesawnothingofher。
Thenight，sofarasheknew，passedquietly。Thenextmorninghebreakfastedearly，determiningtowaitintherestaurantfortheappearanceoftheCountess。Shecameinandorderedherbreakfastquietly，lookingdullandwornandself-absorbed，asshehadlookedwhenhelastsawher。Hehastenedtohertable，andaskedifanythinghadhappenedinthenight。
’Nothing，’sheanswered。
’Youhaverestedaswellasusual？’
’Quiteaswellasusual。Haveyouhadanylettersthismorning？
Haveyouheardwhensheiscoming？’
’Ihavehadnoletters。Areyoureallygoingtostayhere？
Hasyourexperienceoflastnightnotalteredtheopinionwhichyouexpressedtomeyesterday？’
’Notintheleast。’
ThemomentarygleamofanimationwhichhadcrossedherfacewhenshequestionedhimaboutAgnes，diedoutofitagainwhenheansweredher。
Shelooked，shespoke，sheeatherbreakfast，withavacantresignation，likeawomanwhohaddonewithhopes，donewithinterests，donewitheverythingbutthemechanicalmovementsandinstinctsoflife。
Franciswentout，onthecustomarytravellers’pilgrimagetotheshrinesofTitianandTintoret。Aftersomehoursofabsence，hefoundaletterwaitingforhimwhenhegotbacktothehotel。
ItwaswrittenbyhisbrotherHenry，anditrecommendedhimtoreturntoMilanimmediately。TheproprietorofaFrenchtheatre，recentlyarrivedfromVenice，wastryingtoinducethefamousdancerwhomFrancishadengagedtobreakfaithwithhimandacceptahighersalary。
Havingmadethisstartlingannouncement，HenryproceededtoinformhisbrotherthatLordandLadyMontbarry，withAgnesandthechildren，wouldarriveinVeniceinthreedaysmore。’Theyknownothingofouradventuresatthehotel，’Henrywrote；’andtheyhavetelegraphedtothemanagerfortheaccommodationthattheywant。
TherewouldbesomethingabsurdlysuperstitiousinourgivingthemawarningwhichwouldfrightentheladiesandchildrenoutofthebesthotelinVenice。Weshallbeastrongpartythistime——toostrongapartyforghosts！Ishallmeetthetravellersontheirarrival，ofcourse，andtrymyluckagainatwhatyoucalltheHauntedHotel。
ArthurBarvilleandhiswifehavealreadygotasfarontheirwayasTrent；
andtwoofthelady’srelationshavearrangedtoaccompanythemonthejourneytoVenice。’
NaturallyindignantattheconductofhisParisiancolleague，FrancismadehispreparationsforreturningtoMilanbythetrainofthatday。
Onhiswayout，heaskedthemanagerifhisbrother’stelegramhadbeenreceived。Thetelegramhadarrived，and，tothesurpriseofFrancis，theroomswerealreadyreserved。’Ithoughtyouwouldrefusetoletanymoreofthefamilyintothehouse，’hesaidsatirically。
Themanageranswered（withtheduedashofrespect）inthesametone。
’Number13Aissafe，sir，intheoccupationofastranger。
IamtheservantoftheCompany；andIdarenotturnmoneyoutofthehotel。’
Hearingthis，Francissaidgood-bye——andsaidnothingmore。
Hewasashamedtoacknowledgeittohimself，buthefeltanirresistiblecuriositytoknowwhatwouldhappenwhenAgnesarrivedatthehotel。Besides，’Mrs。James’hadreposedaconfidenceinhim。
Hegotintohisgondola，respectingtheconfidenceof’Mrs。James。’
Towardseveningonthethirdday，LordMontbarryandhistravellingcompanionsarrived，punctualtotheirappointment。
’Mrs。James，’sittingatthewindowofherroomwatchingforthem，sawthenewLordlandfromthegondolafirst。Hehandedhiswifetothesteps。Thethreechildrenwerenextcommittedtohiscare。
Lastofall，Agnesappearedinthelittleblackdoorwayofthegondolacabin，and，takingLordMontbarry’shand，passedinherturntothesteps。Sheworenoveil。Assheascendedtothedoorofthehotel，theCountess（eyeingherthroughanopera-glass）
noticedthatshepausedtolookattheoutsideofthebuilding，andthatherfacewasverypale。
CHAPTERXXI
LordandLadyMontbarrywerereceivedbythehousekeeper；
themanagerbeingabsentforadayortwoonbusinessconnectedwiththeaffairsofthehotel。
Theroomsreservedforthetravellersonthefirstfloorwerethreeinnumber；consistingoftwobedroomsopeningintoeachother，andcommunicatingontheleftwithadrawing-room。Completesofar，thearrangementsprovedtobelesssatisfactoryinreferencetothethirdbedroomrequiredforAgnesandfortheeldestdaughterofLordMontbarry，whousuallysleptwithherontheirtravels。
Thebed-chamberontherightofthedrawing-roomwasalreadyoccupiedbyanEnglishwidowlady。Otherbedchambersattheotherendofthecorridorwerealsoletineverycase。TherewasaccordinglynoalternativebuttoplaceatthedisposalofAgnesacomfortableroomonthesecondfloor。LadyMontbarryvainlycomplainedofthisseparationofoneofthemembersofhertravellingpartyfromtherest。
Thehousekeeperpolitelyhintedthatitwasimpossibleforhertoaskothertravellerstogiveuptheirrooms。Shecouldonlyexpressherregret，andassureMissLockwoodthatherbed-chamberonthesecondfloorwasoneofthebestroomsinthatpartofthehotel。
Ontheretirementofthehousekeeper，LadyMontbarrynoticedthatAgneshadseatedherselfapart，feelingapparentlynointerestinthequestionofthebedrooms。Wassheill？No；shefeltalittleunnervedbytherailwayjourney，andthatwasall。
Hearingthis，LordMontbarryproposedthatsheshouldgooutwithhim，andtrytheexperimentofhalfanhour’swalkinthecooleveningair。
Agnesgladlyacceptedthesuggestion。TheydirectedtheirstepstowardsthesquareofSt。Mark，soastoenjoythebreezeblowingoverthelagoon。ItwasthefirstvisitofAgnestoVenice。
Thefascinationofthewonderfulcityofthewatersexerteditsfullinfluenceoverhersensitivenature。Theproposedhalf-hourofthewalkhadpassedaway，andwasfastexpandingtohalfanhourmore，beforeLordMontbarrycouldpersuadehiscompaniontorememberthatdinnerwaswaitingforthem。Astheyreturned，passingunderthecolonnade，neitherofthemnoticedaladyindeepmourning，loiteringintheopenspaceofthesquare。
ShestartedassherecognisedAgneswalkingwiththenewLordMontbarry——
hesitatedforamoment——andthenfollowedthem，atadiscreetdistance，backtothehotel。
LadyMontbarryreceivedAgnesinhighspirits——withnewsofaneventwhichhadhappenedinherabsence。
Shehadnotleftthehotelmorethantenminutes，beforealittlenoteinpencilwasbroughttoLadyMontbarrybythehousekeeper。
Thewriterprovedtobenolessapersonthanthewidowladywhooccupiedtheroomontheothersideofthedrawing-room，whichherladyshiphadvainlyhopedtosecureforAgnes。
WritingunderthenameofMrs。James，thepolitewidowexplainedthatshehadheardfromthehousekeeperofthedisappointmentexperiencedbyLadyMontbarryinthematteroftherooms。
Mrs。Jameswasquitealone；andaslongasherbed-chamberwasairyandcomfortable，itmatterednothingtoherwhethershesleptonthefirstorthesecondfloorofthehouse。ShehadaccordinglymuchpleasureinproposingtochangeroomswithMissLockwood。
Herluggagehadalreadybeenremoved，andMissLockwoodhadonlytotakepossessionoftheroom（Number13A），whichwasnowentirelyatherdisposal。
’IimmediatelyproposedtoseeMrs。James，’LadyMontbarrycontinued，’andtothankherpersonallyforherextremekindness。
ButIwasinformedthatshehadgoneout，withoutleavingwordatwhathourshemightbeexpectedtoreturn。Ihavewrittenalittlenoteofthanks，sayingthatwehopetohavethepleasureofpersonallyexpressingoursenseofMrs。James’scourtesyto-morrow。Inthemeantime，Agnes，Ihaveorderedyourboxestoberemoveddownstairs。Go！——andjudgeforyourself，mydear，ifthatgoodladyhasnotgivenuptoyoutheprettiestroominthehouse！’
Withthosewords，LadyMontbarryleftMissLockwoodtomakeahastytoiletfordinner。
ThenewroomatonceproducedafavourableimpressiononAgnes。
Thelargewindow，openingintoabalcony，commandedanadmirableviewofthecanal。ThedecorationsonthewallsandceilingwereskilfullycopiedfromtheexquisitelygracefuldesignsofRaphaelintheVatican。Themassivewardrobepossessedcompartmentsofunusualsize，inwhichdoublethenumberofdressesthatAgnespossessedmighthavebeenconvenientlyhungatfulllength。
Intheinnercorneroftheroom，neartheheadofthebedstead，therewasarecesswhichhadbeenturnedintoalittledressing-room，andwhichopenedbyaseconddoorontheinferiorstaircaseofthehotel，commonlyusedbytheservants。Noticingtheseaspectsoftheroomataglance，Agnesmadethenecessarychangeinherdress，asquicklyaspossible。Onherwaybacktothedrawing-roomshewasaddressedbyachambermaidinthecorridorwhoaskedforherkey。
’Iwillputyourroomtidyforthenight，Miss，’thewomansaid，’andIwillthenbringthekeybacktoyouinthedrawing-room。’
Whilethechambermaidwasatherwork，asolitarylady，loiteringaboutthecorridorofthesecondstorey，waswatchingheroverthebannisters。
Afterawhile，themaidappeared，withherpailinherhand，leavingtheroombywayofthedressing-roomandthebackstairs。
Asshepassedoutofsight，theladyonthesecondfloor（noother，itisneedlesstoadd，thantheCountessherself）ranswiftlydownthestairs，enteredthebed-chamberbytheprincipaldoor，andhidherselfintheemptysidecompartmentofthewardrobe。
Thechambermaidreturned，completedherwork，lockedthedoorofthedressing-roomontheinnerside，lockedtheprincipalentrance-dooronleavingtheroom，andreturnedthekeytoAgnesinthedrawing-room。
Thetravellerswerejustsittingdowntotheirlatedinner，whenoneofthechildrennoticedthatAgneswasnotwearingherwatch。
Hadsheleftitinherbed-chamberinthehurryofchangingherdress？
Sherosefromthetableatonceinsearchofherwatch；LadyMontbarryadvisingher，asshewentout，toseetothesecurityofherbed-chamber，intheeventoftherebeingthievesinthehouse。Agnesfoundherwatch，forgottenonthetoilettable，asshehadanticipated。
BeforeleavingtheroomagainsheactedonLadyMontbarry’sadvice，andtriedthekeyinthelockofthedressing-roomdoor。Itwasproperlysecured。Sheleftthebed-chamber，lockingthemaindoorbehindher。
Immediatelyonherdeparture，theCountess，oppressedbytheconfinedairinthewardrobe，venturedonsteppingoutofherhidingplaceintotheemptyroom。
Enteringthedressing-room，shelistenedatthedoor，untilthesilenceoutsideinformedherthatthecorridorwasempty。Uponthis，sheunlockedthedoor，and，passingout，closeditagainsoftly；
leavingittoallappearance（whenviewedontheinnerside）
ascarefullysecuredasAgneshadseenitwhenshetriedthekeyinthelockwithherownhand。
WhiletheMontbarryswerestillatdinner，HenryWestwickjoinedthem，arrivingfromMilan。
Whenheenteredtheroom，andagainwhenheadvancedtoshakehandswithher，AgneswasconsciousofalatentfeelingwhichsecretlyreciprocatedHenry’sunconcealedpleasureonmeetingheragain。
Foramomentonly，shereturnedhislook；andinthatmomentherownobservationtoldherthatshehadsilentlyencouragedhimtohope。
Shesawitinthesuddenglowofhappinesswhichoverspreadhisface；
andsheconfusedlytookrefugeintheusualconventionalinquiriesrelatingtotherelativeswhomhehadleftatMilan。
Takinghisplaceatthetable，HenrygaveamostamusingaccountofthepositionofhisbrotherFrancisbetweenthemercenaryopera-dancerononeside，andtheunscrupulousmanageroftheFrenchtheatreontheother。Mattershadproceededtosuchextremities，thatthelawhadbeencalledontointerfere，andhaddecidedthedisputeinfavourofFrancis。OnwinningthevictorytheEnglishmanagerhadatonceleftMilan，recalledtoLondonbytheaffairsofhistheatre。
Hewasaccompaniedonthejourneyback，ashehadbeenaccompaniedonthejourneyout，byhissister。Resolved，afterpassingtwonightsofterrorintheVenetianhotel，nevertoenteritagain，Mrs。Norburyaskedtobeexcusedfromappearingatthefamilyfestival，onthegroundofill-health。Atherage，travellingfatiguedher，andshewasgladtotakeadvantageofherbrother’sescorttoreturntoEngland。
Whilethetalkatthedinner-tableflowedeasilyonward，theevening-timeadvancedtonight——anditbecamenecessarytothinkofsendingthechildrentobed。
AsAgnesrosetoleavetheroom，accompaniedbytheeldestgirl，sheobservedwithsurprisethatHenry’smannersuddenlychanged。
Helookedseriousandpre-occupied；andwhenhisniecewishedhimgoodnight，heabruptlysaidtoher，’Marian，Iwanttoknowwhatpartofthehotelyousleepin？’Marian，puzzledbythequestion，answeredthatshewasgoingtosleep，asusual，with’AuntAgnes。’
Notsatisfiedwiththatreply，Henrynextinquiredwhetherthebedroomwasneartheroomsoccupiedbytheothermembersofthetravellingparty。
Answeringforthechild，andwonderingwhatHenry’sobjectcouldpossiblybe，AgnesmentionedthepolitesacrificemadetoherconveniencebyMrs。James。’Thankstothatlady’skindness，’
shesaid，’MarianandIareonlyontheothersideofthedrawing-room。’
Henrymadenoremark；helookedincomprehensiblydiscontentedasheopenedthedoorforAgnesandhercompaniontopassout。
Afterwishingthemgoodnight，hewaitedinthecorridoruntilhesawthementerthefatalcorner-room——andthenhecalledabruptlytohisbrother，’Comeout，Stephen，andletussmoke！’
Assoonasthetwobrotherswereatlibertytospeaktogetherprivately，Henryexplainedthemotivewhichhadledtohisstrangeinquiriesaboutthebedrooms。FrancishadinformedhimofthemeetingwiththeCountessatVenice，andofallthathadfollowedit；andHenrynowcarefullyrepeatedthenarrativetohisbrotherinallitsdetails。
’Iamnotsatisfied，’headded，’aboutthatwoman’spurposeingivingupherroom。WithoutalarmingtheladiesbytellingthemwhatI
havejusttoldyou，canyounotwarnAgnestobecarefulinsecuringherdoor？’
LordMontbarryreplied，thatthewarninghadbeenalreadygivenbyhiswife，andthatAgnesmightbetrustedtotakegoodcareofherselfandherlittlebed-fellow。Fortherest，helookeduponthestoryoftheCountessandhersuperstitionsasapieceoftheatricalexaggeration，amusingenoughinitself，butunworthyofamoment’sseriousattention。
Whilethegentlemenwereabsentfromthehotel，theroomwhichhadbeenalreadyassociatedwithsomanystartlingcircumstances，becamethesceneofanotherstrangeeventinwhichLadyMontbarry’seldestchildwasconcerned。
LittleMarianhadbeengotreadyforbedasusual，andhad（sofar）takenhardlyanynoticeofthenewroom。Asshekneltdowntosayherprayers，shehappenedtolookupatthatpartoftheceilingaboveherwhichwasjustovertheheadofthebed。
ThenextinstantshealarmedAgnes，bystartingtoherfeetwithacryofterror，andpointingtoasmallbrownspotononeofthewhitepanelledspacesofthecarvedceiling。
’It’saspotofblood！’thechildexclaimed。’Takemeaway！
Iwon’tsleephere！’
Seeingplainlythatitwouldbeuselesstoreasonwithherwhileshewasintheroom，AgneshurriedlywrappedMarianinadressing-gown，andcarriedherbacktohermotherinthedrawing-room。Here，theladiesdidtheirbesttosootheandreassurethetremblinggirl。
Theeffortprovedtobeuseless；theimpressionthathadbeenproducedontheyoungandsensitivemindwasnottoberemovedbypersuasion。Mariancouldgivenoexplanationofthepanicofterrorthathadseizedher。Shewasquiteunabletosaywhythespotontheceilinglookedlikethecolourofaspotofblood。
Sheonlyknewthatsheshoulddieofterrorifshesawitagain。
Underthesecircumstances，butonealternativewasleft。Itwasarrangedthatthechildshouldpassthenightintheroomoccupiedbyhertwoyoungersistersandthenurse。
Inhalfanhourmore，Marianwaspeacefullyasleepwithherarmaroundhersister’sneck。LadyMontbarrywentbackwithAgnestoherroomtoseethespotontheceilingwhichhadsostrangelyfrightenedthechild。Itwassosmallastobeonlyjustperceptible，andithadinallprobabilitybeencausedbythecarelessnessofaworkman，orbyadrippingfromwateraccidentallyspiltontheflooroftheroomabove。
’IreallycannotunderstandwhyMarianshouldplacesuchashockinginterpretationonsuchatriflingthing，’LadyMontbarryremarked。
’Isuspectthenurseisinsomewayanswerableforwhathashappened，’
Agnessuggested。’ShemayquitepossiblyhavebeentellingMariansometragicnurserystorywhichhasleftitsmischievousimpressionbehindit。Personsinherpositionaresadlyignorantofthedangerofexcitingachild’simagination。Youhadbettercautionthenurseto-morrow。’
LadyMontbarrylookedroundtheroomwithadmiration。’Isitnotprettilydecorated？’shesaid。’Isuppose，Agnes，youdon’tmindsleepingherebyyourself。？’
Agneslaughed。’Ifeelsotired，’shereplied，’thatIwasthinkingofbiddingyougood-night，insteadofgoingbacktothedrawing-room。’
LadyMontbarryturnedtowardsthedoor。’Iseeyourjewel-caseonthetable，’sheresumed。’Don’tforgettolocktheotherdoorthere，inthedressing-room。’
’Ihavealreadyseentoit，andtriedthekeymyself，’saidAgnes。
’CanIbeofanyusetoyoubeforeIgotobed？’
’No，mydear，thankyou；Ifeelsleepyenoughtofollowyourexample。
Goodnight，Agnes——andpleasantdreamsonyourfirstnightinVenice。’
CHAPTERXXII
HavingclosedandsecuredthedooronLadyMontbarry’sdeparture，Agnesputonherdressing-gown，and，turningtoheropenboxes，beganthebusinessofunpacking。Inthehurryofmakinghertoiletfordinner，shehadtakenthefirstdressthatlayuppermostinthetrunk，andhadthrownhertravellingcostumeonthebed。
Shenowopenedthedoorsofthewardrobeforthefirsttime，andbegantohangherdressesonthehooksinthelargecompartmentononeside。
Afterafewminutesonlyofthisoccupation，shegrewwearyofit，anddecidedonleavingthetrunksastheywere，untilthenextmorning。
Theoppressivesouthwind，whichhadblownthroughouttheday，stillprevailedatnight。Theatmosphereoftheroomfeltclose；
Agnesthrewashawloverherheadandshoulders，and，openingthewindow，steppedintothebalconytolookattheview。
Thenightwasheavyandovercast：nothingcouldbedistinctlyseen。
Thecanalbeneaththewindowlookedlikeablackgulf；
theoppositehouseswerebarelyvisibleasarowofshadows，dimlyrelievedagainstthestarlessandmoonlesssky。
Atlongintervals，thewarningcryofabelatedgondolierwasjustaudible，asheturnedthecornerofadistantcanal，andcalledtoinvisibleboatswhichmightbeapproachinghiminthedarkness。
Nowandthen，thenearerdipofanoarinthewatertoldoftheviewlesspassageofothergondolasbringingguestsbacktothehotel。
Exceptingtheseraresounds，themysteriousnight-silenceofVenicewasliterallythesilenceofthegrave。
Leaningontheparapetofthebalcony，Agneslookedvacantlyintotheblackvoidbeneath。Herthoughtsrevertedtothemiserablemanwhohadbrokenhispledgedfaithtoher，andwhohaddiedinthathouse。
SomechangeseemedtohavecomeoverhersinceherarrivalinVenice；
somenewinfluenceappearedtobeatwork。Forthefirsttimeinherexperienceofherself，compassionandregretwerenottheonlyemotionsarousedinherbytheremembranceofthedeadMontbarry。
Akeensenseofthewrongthatshehadsuffered，neveryetfeltbythatgentleandforgivingnature，wasfeltbyitnow。
ShefoundherselfthinkingofthebygonedaysofherhumiliationalmostasharshlyasHenryWestwickhadthoughtofthem——
shewhohadrebukedhimthelasttimehehadspokenslightinglyofhisbrotherinherpresence！Asuddenfearanddoubtofherself，startledherphysicallyaswellasmorally。Sheturnedfromtheshadowyabyssofthedarkwaterasifthemysteryandthegloomofithadbeenanswerablefortheemotionswhichhadtakenherbysurprise。
Abruptlyclosingthewindow，shethrewasidehershawl，andlitthecandlesonthemantelpiece，impelledbyasuddencravingforlightinthesolitudeofherroom。
Thecheeringbrightnessroundher，contrastingwiththeblackgloomoutside，restoredherspirits。Shefeltherselfenjoyingthelightlikeachild！
Woulditbewell（sheaskedherself）togetreadyforbed？No！Thesenseofdrowsyfatiguethatshehadfelthalfanhoursincewasgone。
Shereturnedtothedullemploymentofunpackingherboxes。
Afterafewminutesonly，theoccupationbecameirksometoheroncemore。
Shesatdownbythetable，andtookupaguide-book。’SupposeI
informmyself，’shethought，’onthesubjectofVenice？’
Herattentionwanderedfromthebook，beforeshehadturnedthefirstpageofit。
TheimageofHenryWestwickwasthepresidingimageinhermemorynow。
Recallingtheminutestincidentsanddetailsoftheevening，shecouldthinkofnothingwhichpresentedhimunderotherthanafavourableandinterestingaspect。Shesmiledtoherselfsoftly，hercolourrosebyfinegradations，asshefeltthefullluxuryofdwellingontheperfecttruthandmodestyofhisdevotiontoher。
Wasthedepressionofspiritsfromwhichshehadsufferedsopersistentlyonhertravelsattributable，byanychance，totheirlongseparationfromeachother——embitteredperhapsbyherownvainregretwhensherememberedherharshreceptionofhiminParis？
Suddenlyconsciousofthisboldquestion，andoftheself-abandonmentwhichitimplied，shereturnedmechanicallytoherbook，distrustingtheunrestrainedlibertyofherownthoughts。
Whatlurkingtemptationstoforbiddentendernessfindtheirhiding-placesinawoman’sdressing-gown，whensheisaloneinherroomatnight！
WithherheartinthetombofthedeadMontbarry，couldAgneseventhinkofanotherman，andthinkoflove？Howshameful！howunworthyofher！
Forthesecondtime，shetriedtointerestherselfintheguide-book——
andoncemoreshetriedinvain。Throwingthebookaside，sheturneddesperatelytotheoneresourcethatwasleft，toherluggage——resolvedtofatigueherselfwithoutmercy，untilshewaswearyenoughandsleepyenoughtofindasaferefugeinbed。
Forsomelittletime，shepersistedinthemonotonousoccupationoftransferringherclothesfromhertrunktothewardrobe。
Thelargeclockinthehall，strikingmid-night，remindedherthatitwasgettinglate。Shesatdownforamomentinanarm-chairbythebedside，torest。
Thesilenceinthehousenowcaughtherattention，andheldit——
helditdisagreeably。Waseverybodyinbedandasleepbutherself？
Surelyitwastimeforhertofollowthegeneralexample？Withacertainirritablenervoushaste，sheroseagainandundressedherself。
’Ihavelosttwohoursofrest，’shethought，frowningatthereflectionofherselfintheglass，asshearrangedherhairforthenight。
’Ishallbegoodfornothingto-morrow！’
Shelitthenight-light，andextinguishedthecandles——
withoneexception，whichsheremovedtoalittletable，placedonthesideofthebedoppositetothesideoccupiedbythearm-chair。
Havingputhertravelling-boxofmatchesandtheguide-booknearthecandle，incaseshemightbesleeplessandmightwanttoread，sheblewoutthelight，andlaidherheadonthepillow。
Thecurtainsofthebedwereloopedbacktolettheairpassfreelyoverher。Lyingonherleftside，withherfaceturnedawayfromthetable，shecouldseethearm-chairbythedimnight-light。Ithadachintzcovering——representinglargebunchesofrosesscatteredoverapalegreenground。Shetriedtowearyherselfintodrowsinessbycountingoverandoveragainthebunchesofrosesthatwerevisiblefromherpointofview。
Twiceherattentionwasdistractedfromthecounting，bysoundsoutside——
bytheclockchimingthehalf-hourpasttwelve；andthenagain，bythefallofapairofbootsontheupperfloor，thrownouttobecleaned，withthatbarbarousdisregardofthecomfortofotherswhichisobservableinhumanitywhenitinhabitsanhotel。
Inthesilencethatfollowedthesepassingdisturbances，Agneswentoncountingtherosesonthearm-chair，moreandmoreslowly。Beforelong，sheconfusedherselfinthefigures——triedtobegincountingagain——
thoughtshewouldwaitalittlefirst——felthereyelidsdrooping，andherheadreclininglowerandloweronthepillow——sighedfaintly——
andsankintosleep。
Howlongthatfirstsleeplasted，sheneverknew。Shecouldonlyremember，intheafter-time，thatshewokeinstantly。
Everyfacultyandperceptioninherpassedtheboundarylinebetweeninsensibilityandconsciousness，sotospeak，ataleap。
Withoutknowingwhy，shesatupsuddenlyinthebed，listeningforsheknewnotwhat。Herheadwasinawhirl；herheartbeatfuriously，withoutanyassignablecause。Butonetrivialeventhadhappenedduringtheintervalwhileshehadbeenasleep。
Thenight-lighthadgoneout；andtheroom，asamatterofcourse，wasintotaldarkness。
