CHAPTERX
Inthemeantime，Mrs。Ferrariheldtoherresolution。
ShewentstraightfromMr。Troy’sofficetoNewbury’sHotel。
LadyMontbarrywasathome，andalone。Buttheauthoritiesofthehotelhesitatedtodisturbherwhentheyfoundthatthevisitordeclinedtomentionhername。Herladyship’snewmaidhappenedtocrossthehallwhilethematterwasstillindebate。
ShewasaFrenchwoman，and，onbeingappealedto，shesettledthequestionintheswift，easy，rationalFrenchway。
’Madame’sappearancewasperfectlyrespectable。MadamemighthavereasonsfornotmentioninghernamewhichMiladimightapprove。
Inanycase，therebeingnoordersforbiddingtheintroductionofastrangelady，thematterclearlyrestedbetweenMadameandMiladi。
WouldMadame，therefore，begoodenoughtofollowMiladi’smaidupthestairs？’
Inspiteofherresolution，Mrs。Ferrari’sheartbeatasifitwouldburstoutofherbosom，whenherconductressledherintoanante-room，andknockedatadooropeningintoaroombeyond。
Butitisremarkablethatpersonsofsensitively-nervousorganisationaretheverypersonswhoarecapableofforcingthemselves（apparentlybytheexerciseofaspasmodiceffortofwill）
intotheperformanceofactsofthemostaudaciouscourage。
Alow，gravevoicefromtheinnerroomsaid，’Comein。’Themaid，openingthedoor，announced，’Apersontoseeyou，Miladi，onbusiness，’
andimmediatelyretired。Intheoneinstantwhiletheseeventspassed，timidlittleMrs。Ferrarimasteredherownthrobbingheart；
steppedoverthethreshold，consciousofherclammyhands，drylips，andburninghead；andstoodinthepresenceofLordMontbarry’swidow，toalloutwardappearanceassupremelyself-possessedasherladyshipherself。
Itwasstillearlyintheafternoon，butthelightintheroomwasdim。
Theblindsweredrawndown。LadyMontbarrysatwithherbacktothewindows，asifeventhesubdueddaylightweredisagreeabletoher。
Shehadalteredsadlyfortheworseinherpersonalappearance，sincethememorabledaywhenDoctorWybrowhadseenherinhisconsulting-room。Herbeautywasgone——herfacehadfallenawaytomereskinandbone；thecontrastbetweenherghastlycomplexionandhersteelyglitteringblackeyeswasmorestartlingthanever。
Robedindismalblack，relievedonlybythebrilliantwhitenessofherwidow’scap——reclininginapanther-likesupplenessofattitudeonalittlegreensofa——shelookedatthestrangerwhohadintrudedonher，withamoment’slanguidcuriosity，thendroppedhereyesagaintothehand-screenwhichsheheldbetweenherfaceandthefire。’Idon’tknowyou，’shesaid。’Whatdoyouwantwithme？’
Mrs。Ferraritriedtoanswer。Herfirstburstofcouragehadalreadywornitselfout。Theboldwordsthatshehaddeterminedtospeakwerelivingwordsstillinhermind，buttheydiedonherlips。
Therewasamomentofsilence。LadyMontbarrylookedroundagainatthespeechlessstranger。’Areyoudeaf？’sheasked。
Therewasanotherpause。LadyMontbarryquietlylookedbackagainatthescreen，andputanotherquestion。’Doyouwantmoney？’
’Money！’Thatonewordrousedthesinkingspiritofthecourier’swife。
Sherecoveredhercourage；shefoundhervoice。’Lookatme，mylady，ifyouplease，’shesaid，withasuddenoutbreakofaudacity。
LadyMontbarrylookedroundforthethirdtime。ThefatalwordspassedMrs。Ferrari’slips。
’Icome，mylady，toacknowledgethereceiptofthemoneysenttoFerrari’swidow。’
LadyMontbarry’sglitteringblackeyesrestedwithsteadyattentiononthewomanwhohadaddressedherinthoseterms。
Notthefaintestexpressionofconfusionoralarm，notevenamomentaryflutterofintereststirredthedeadlystillnessofherface。
Shereposedasquietly，sheheldthescreenascomposedly，asever。
Thetesthadbeentried，andhadutterlyfailed。
Therewasanothersilence。LadyMontbarryconsideredwithherself。
Thesmilethatcameslowlyandwentawaysuddenly——thesmileatoncesosadandsocruel——showeditselfonherthinlips。
Sheliftedherscreen，andpointedwithittoaseatatthefartherendoftheroom。’Besogoodastotakethatchair，’
shesaid。
Helplessunderherfirstbewilderingsenseoffailure——notknowingwhattosayorwhattodonext——Mrs。Ferrarimechanicallyobeyed。
LadyMontbarry，risingonthesofaforthefirsttime，watchedherwithundisguisedscrutinyasshecrossedtheroom——thensankbackintoarecliningpositiononcemore。’No，’shesaidtoherself，’thewomanwalkssteadily；sheisnotintoxicated——theonlyotherpossibilityisthatshemaybemad。’
Shehadspokenloudenoughtobeheard。Stungbytheinsult，Mrs。Ferrariinstantlyansweredher：’Iamnomoredrunkormadthanyouare！’
’No？’saidLadyMontbarry。’Thenyouareonlyinsolent？
TheignorantEnglishmind（Ihaveobserved）isapttobeinsolentintheexerciseofunrestrainedEnglishliberty。Thisisverynoticeabletousforeignersamongyoupeopleinthestreets。OfcourseIcan’tbeinsolenttoyou，inreturn。Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou。
Mymaidwasimprudentinadmittingyousoeasilytomyroom。
Isupposeyourrespectableappearancemisledher。Iwonderwhoyouare？
Youmentionedthenameofacourierwholeftusverystrangely。
Washemarriedbyanychance？Areyouhiswife？Anddoyouknowwhereheis？’
Mrs。Ferrari’sindignationburstitswaythroughallrestraints。
Sheadvancedtothesofa；shefearednothing，inthefervourandrageofherreply。
’Iamhiswidow——andyouknowit，youwickedwoman！
Ah！itwasanevilhourwhenMissLockwoodrecommendedmyhusbandtobehislordship’scourier——！’
Beforeshecouldaddanotherword，LadyMontbarrysprangfromthesofawiththestealthysuddennessofacat——seizedherbybothshoulders——
andshookherwiththestrengthandfrenzyofamadwoman。’Youlie！
youlie！youlie！’Shedroppedherholdatthethirdrepetitionoftheaccusation，andthrewupherhandswildlywithagestureofdespair。
’Oh，JesuMaria！isitpossible？’shecried。’Canthecourierhavecometomethroughthatwoman？’SheturnedlikelightningonMrs。Ferrari，andstoppedherasshewasescapingfromtheroom。
’Stayhere，youfool——stayhere，andanswerme！Ifyoucryout，assureastheheavensareaboveyou，I’llstrangleyouwithmyownhands。
Sitdownagain——andfearnothing。Wretch！ItisIwhoamfrightened——
frightenedoutofmysenses。Confessthatyoulied，whenyouusedMissLockwood’snamejustnow！No！Idon’tbelieveyouonyouroath；
IwillbelievenobodybutMissLockwoodherself。Wheredoesshelive？
Tellmethat，younoxiousstinginglittleinsect——andyoumaygo。’
Terrifiedasshewas，Mrs。Ferrarihesitated。LadyMontbarryliftedherhandsthreateningly，withthelong，lean，yellow-whitefingersoutspreadandcrookedatthetips。Mrs。Ferrarishrankatthesightofthem，andgavetheaddress。LadyMontbarrypointedcontemptuouslytothedoor——thenchangedhermind。’No！notyet！youwilltellMissLockwoodwhathashappened，andshemayrefusetoseeme。
Iwillgothereatonce，andyoushallgowithme。Asfarasthehouse——
notinsideofit。Sitdownagain。Iamgoingtoringformymaid。
Turnyourbacktothedoor——yourcowardlyfaceisnotfittobeseen！’
Sherangthebell。Themaidappeared。
’Mycloakandbonnet——instantly！’
Themaidproducedthecloakandbonnetfromthebedroom。
’Acabatthedoor——beforeIcancountten！’
Themaidvanished。LadyMontbarrysurveyedherselfintheglass，andwheeledroundagain，withhercat-likesuddenness，toMrs。Ferrari。
’Ilookmorethanhalfdeadalready，don’tI？’shesaidwithagrimoutburstofirony。’Givemeyourarm。’
ShetookMrs。Ferrari’sarm，andlefttheroom。’Youhavenothingtofear，solongasyouobey，’shewhispered，onthewaydownstairs。
’YouleavemeatMissLockwood’sdoor，andneverseemeagain。’
Inthehalltheyweremetbythelandladyofthehotel。
LadyMontbarrygraciouslypresentedhercompanion。
’MygoodfriendMrs。Ferrari；Iamsogladtohaveseenher。’
Thelandladyaccompaniedthemtothedoor。Thecabwaswaiting。
’Getinfirst，goodMrs。Ferrari，’saidherladyship；’andtellthemanwheretogo。’
Theyweredrivenaway。LadyMontbarry’svariablehumourchangedagain。
Withalowgroanofmisery，shethrewherselfbackinthecab。
Lostinherowndarkthoughts，ascarelessofthewomanwhomshehadbenttoherironwillasifnosuchpersonsatbyherside，shepreservedasinistersilence，untiltheyreachedthehousewhereMissLockwoodlodged。Inaninstant，sherousedherselftoaction。
Sheopenedthedoorofthecab，andcloseditagainonMrs。Ferrari，beforethedrivercouldgetoffhisbox。
’Takethatladyamilefartheronherwayhome！’shesaid，asshepaidthemanhisfare。Thenextmomentshehadknockedatthehouse-door。’IsMissLockwoodathome？’’Yes，ma’am。’
Shesteppedoverthethreshold——thedoorclosedonher。
’Whichway，ma’am？’askedthedriverofthecab。
Mrs。Ferrariputherhandtoherhead，andtriedtocollectherthoughts。
CouldsheleaveherfriendandbenefactresshelplessatLadyMontbarry’smercy？Shewasstillvainlyendeavouringtodecideonthecoursethatsheoughttofollow——whenagentleman，stoppingatMissLockwood’sdoor，happenedtolooktowardsthecab-window，andsawher。
’AreyougoingtocallonMissAgnestoo？’heasked。
ItwasHenryWestwick。Mrs。Ferrariclaspedherhandsingratitudeassherecognisedhim。
’Goin，sir！’shecried。’Goin，directly。ThatdreadfulwomaniswithMissAgnes。Goandprotecther！’
’Whatwoman？’Henryasked。
Theanswerliterallystruckhimspeechless。Withamazementandindignationinhisface，helookedatMrs。Ferrariasshepronouncedthehatednameof’LadyMontbarry。’’I’llseetoit，’
wasallhesaid。Heknockedatthehouse-door；andhetoo，inhisturn，wasletin。
CHAPTERXI
’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。
’Pleasegivemeamomenttocomposemyself，’shesaidfaintly。Herheadsankonherbosom：shestoodbeforeAgneslikeaconsciousculpritbeforeamercilessjudge。
Thesilencethatfollowedwas，literally，thesilenceoffearonbothsides。Inthemidstofit，thedoorwasopenedoncemore——
andHenryWestwickappeared。
HelookedatLadyMontbarrywithamoment’ssteadyattention——
bowedtoherwithformalpoliteness——andpassedoninsilence。
Atthesightofherhusband’sbrother，thesinkingspiritofthewomansprangtolifeagain。Herdroopingfigurebecameerect。HereyesmetWestwick’slook，brightlydefiant。Shereturnedhisbowwithanicysmileofcontempt。
HenrycrossedtheroomtoAgnes。
’IsLadyMontbarryherebyyourinvitation？’heaskedquietly。
’No。’
’Doyouwishtoseeher？’
’Itisverypainfultometoseeher。’
Heturnedandlookedathissister-in-law。’Doyouhearthat？’
heaskedcoldly。
’Ihearit，’sheanswered，morecoldlystill。
’Yourvisitis，tosaytheleastofit，ill-timed。’
’Yourinterferenceis，tosaytheleastofit，outofplace。’
Withthatretort，LadyMontbarryapproachedAgnes。ThepresenceofHenryWestwickseemedatoncetorelieveandemboldenher。
’Permitmetoaskmyquestion，MissLockwood，’shesaid，withgracefulcourtesy。’Itisnothingtoembarrassyou。
WhenthecourierFerrariappliedtomylatehusbandforemployment，didyou——’Herresolutionfailedher，beforeshecouldsaymore。
Shesanktremblingintothenearestchair，and，afteramoment’sstruggle，composedherselfagain。’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。
Henryspoketoherroughly。’Rouseyourself，’hesaid。
’Youhavereceivedyouranswer。’
Shelookedroundathim。’IhavereceivedmySentence，’sherejoined——
andturnedslowlytoleavetheroom。
ToHenry’sastonishment，Agnesstoppedher。’Waitamoment，LadyMontbarry。Ihavesomethingtoaskonmyside。YouhavespokenofFerrari。Iwishtospeakofhimtoo。’
LadyMontbarrybentherheadinsilence。Herhandtrembledasshetookoutherhandkerchief，andpasseditoverherforehead。
Agnesdetectedthetrembling，andshrankbackastep。’Isthesubjectpainfultoyou？’sheaskedtimidly。
Stillsilent，LadyMontbarryinvitedherbyawaveofthehandtogoon。
Henryapproached，attentivelywatchinghissister-in-law。Agneswenton。
’NotraceofFerrarihasbeendiscoveredinEngland，’shesaid。
’Haveyouanynewsofhim？Andwillyoutellme（ifyouhaveheardanything），inmercytohiswife？’
LadyMontbarry’sthinlipssuddenlyrelaxedintotheirsadandcruelsmile。
’Whydoyouaskmeaboutthelostcourier？’shesaid。
’Youwillknowwhathasbecomeofhim，MissLockwood，whenthetimeisripeforit。’
Agnesstarted。’Idon’tunderstandyou，’shesaid。’HowshallIknow？
Willsomeonetellme？’
’Someonewilltellyou。’
Henrycouldkeepsilencenolonger。’Perhaps，yourladyshipmaybetheperson？’heinterruptedwithironicalpoliteness。
Sheansweredhimwithcontemptuousease。’Youmayberight，Mr。Westwick。Onedayoranother，ImaybethepersonwhotellsMissLockwoodwhathasbecomeofFerrari，if——’Shestopped；
withhereyesfixedonAgnes。
’Ifwhat？’Henryasked。
’IfMissLockwoodforcesmetoit。’
Agneslistenedinastonishment。’Forceyoutoit？’sherepeated。
’HowcanIdothat？Doyoumeantosaymywillisstrongerthanyours？’
’Doyoumeantosaythatthecandledoesn’tburnthemoth，whenthemothfliesintoit？’LadyMontbarryrejoined。’Haveyoueverheardofsuchathingasthefascinationofterror？Iamdrawntoyoubyafascinationofterror。Ihavenorighttovisityou，Ihavenowishtovisityou：youaremyenemy。Forthefirsttimeinmylife，againstmyownwill，Isubmittomyenemy。See！Iamwaitingbecauseyoutoldmetowait——andthefearofyou（Iswearit！）
creepsthroughmewhileIstandhere。Oh，don’tletmeexciteyourcuriosityoryourpity！FollowtheexampleofMr。Westwick。
Behardandbrutalandunforgiving，likehim。Grantmemyrelease。
Tellmetogo。’
ThefrankandsimplenatureofAgnescoulddiscoverbutoneintelligiblemeaninginthisstrangeoutbreak。
’Youaremistakeninthinkingmeyourenemy，’shesaid。
’ThewrongyoudidmewhenyougaveyourhandtoLordMontbarrywasnotintentionallydone。Iforgaveyoumysufferingsinhislifetime。
Iforgiveyouevenmorefreelynowthathehasgone。’
Henryheardherwithmingledemotionsofadmirationanddistress。
’Saynomore！’heexclaimed。’Youaretoogoodtoher；sheisnotworthyofit。’
TheinterruptionpassedunheededbyLadyMontbarry。ThesimplewordsinwhichAgneshadrepliedseemedtohaveabsorbedthewholeattentionofthisstrangely-changeablewoman。Asshelistened，herfacesettledslowlyintoanexpressionofhardandtearlesssorrow。
Therewasamarkedchangeinhervoicewhenshespokenext。
Itexpressedthatlastworstresignationwhichhasdonewithhope。
’Yougoodinnocentcreature，’shesaid，’whatdoesyouramiableforgivenessmatter？Whatareyourpoorlittlewrongs，inthereckoningforgreaterwrongswhichisdemandedofme？
Iamnottryingtofrightenyou，Iamonlymiserableaboutmyself。
Doyouknowwhatitistohaveafirmpresentimentofcalamitythatiscomingtoyou——andyettohopethatyourownpositiveconvictionwillnotprovetrue？WhenIfirstmetyou，beforemymarriage，andfirstfeltyourinfluenceoverme，Ihadthathope。
Itwasastarvelingsortofhopethatlivedalingeringlifeinmeuntilto-day。Youstruckitdead，whenyouansweredmyquestionaboutFerrari。’
’HowhaveIdestroyedyourhopes？’Agnesasked。’WhatconnectionistherebetweenmypermittingFerraritousemynametoLordMontbarry，andthestrangeanddreadfulthingsyouaresayingtomenow？’
’Thetimeisnear，MissLockwood，whenyouwilldiscoverthatforyourself。Inthemeanwhile，youshallknowwhatmyfearofyouis，intheplainestwordsIcanfind。OnthedaywhenItookyourherofromyouandblightedyourlife——Iamfirmlypersuadedofit！——
youweremadetheinstrumentoftheretributionthatmysinsofmanyyearshaddeserved。Oh，suchthingshavehappenedbeforeto-day！Onepersonhas，beforenow，beenthemeansofinnocentlyripeningthegrowthofevilinanother。Youhavedonethatalready——
andyouhavemoretodoyet。Youhavestilltobringmetothedayofdiscovery，andtothepunishmentthatismydoom。Weshallmeetagain——hereinEngland，orthereinVenicewheremyhusbanddied——
andmeetforthelasttime。’
Inspiteofherbettersense，inspiteofhernaturalsuperioritytosuperstitionsofallkinds，Agneswasimpressedbytheterribleearnestnesswithwhichthosewordswerespoken。
SheturnedpaleasshelookedatHenry。’Doyouunderstandher？’
sheasked。
’Nothingiseasierthantounderstandher，’herepliedcontemptuously。
’SheknowswhathasbecomeofFerrari；andsheisconfusingyouinacloudofnonsense，becauseshedaren’townthetruth。
Lethergo！’
Ifadoghadbeenunderoneofthechairs，andhadbarked，LadyMontbarrycouldnothaveproceededmoreimpenetrablywiththelastwordsshehadtosaytoAgnes。
’AdviseyourinterestingMrs。Ferraritowaitalittlelonger，’
shesaid。’Youwillknowwhathasbecomeofherhusband，andyouwilltellher。Therewillbenothingtoalarmyou。Sometriflingeventwillbringustogetherthenexttime——astrifling，Idaresay，astheengagementofFerrari。Sadnonsense，Mr。Westwick，isitnot？
Butyoumakeallowancesforwomen；wealltalknonsense。Goodmorning，MissLockwood。’
Sheopenedthedoor——suddenly，asifshewasafraidofbeingcalledbackforthesecondtime——andleftthem。
CHAPTERXII
’Doyouthinksheismad？’Agnesasked。
’Ithinksheissimplywicked。False，superstitious，inveteratelycruel——
butnotmad。Ibelievehermainmotiveincomingherewastoenjoytheluxuryoffrighteningyou。’
’Shehasfrightenedme。Iamashamedtoownit——butsoitis。’
Henrylookedather，hesitatedforamoment，andseatedhimselfonthesofabyherside。
’Iamveryanxiousaboutyou，Agnes，’hesaid。’Butforthefortunatechancewhichledmetocallhereto-day——whoknowswhatthatvilewomanmightnothavesaidordone，ifshehadfoundyoualone？
Mydear，youareleadingasadlyunprotectedsolitarylife。
Idon’tliketothinkofit；Iwanttoseeitchanged——especiallyafterwhathashappenedto-day。No！no！itisuselesstotellmethatyouhaveyouroldnurse。Sheistooold；sheisnotinyourrankoflife——thereisnosufficientprotectioninthecompanionshipofsuchapersonforaladyinyourposition。Don’tmistakeme，Agnes！whatIsay，Isayinthesincerityofmydevotiontoyou。’
Hepaused，andtookherhand。Shemadeafeebleefforttowithdrawit——
andyielded。’Willthedaynevercome，’hepleaded，’whentheprivilegeofprotectingyoumaybemine？whenyouwillbetheprideandjoyofmylife，aslongasmylifelasts？’Hepressedherhandgently。
Shemadenoreply。Thecolourcameandwentonherface；hereyeswereturnedawayfromhim。’HaveIbeensounhappyastooffendyou？’
heasked。
Sheansweredthat——shesaid，almostinawhisper，’No。’
’HaveIdistressedyou？’
’Youhavemademethinkofthesaddaysthataregone。’Shesaidnomore；
sheonlytriedtowithdrawherhandfromhisforthesecondtime。
Hestillheldit；heliftedittohislips。
’CanInevermakeyouthinkofotherdaysthanthose——ofthehappierdaystocome？Or，ifyoumustthinkofthetimethatispassed，canyounotlookbacktothetimewhenIfirstlovedyou？’
Shesighedasheputthequestion。’SparemeHenry，’sheansweredsadly。
’Saynomore！’
Thecolouragainroseinhercheeks；herhandtrembledinhis。
Shelookedlovely，withhereyescastdownandherbosomheavinggently。
Atthatmomenthewouldhavegiveneverythinghehadintheworldtotakeherinhisarmsandkissher。Somemysterioussympathy，passingfromhishandtohers，seemedtotellherwhatwasinhismind。
Shesnatchedherhandaway，andsuddenlylookedupathim。
Thetearswereinhereyes。Shesaidnothing；shelethereyesspeakforher。Theywarnedhim——withoutanger，withoutunkindness——
butstilltheywarnedhimtopresshernofurtherthatday。
’OnlytellmethatIamforgiven，’hesaid，asherosefromthesofa。
’Yes，’sheansweredquietly，’youareforgiven。’
’Ihavenotloweredmyselfinyourestimation，Agnes？’
’Oh，no！’
’Doyouwishmetoleaveyou？’
Sherose，inherturn，fromthesofa，andwalkedtoherwriting-tablebeforeshereplied。TheunfinishedletterwhichshehadbeenwritingwhenLadyMontbarryinterruptedher，layopenontheblotting-book。
Asshelookedattheletter，andthenlookedatHenry，thesmilethatcharmedeverybodyshoweditselfinherface。
’Youmustnotgojustyet，’shesaid：’Ihavesomethingtotellyou。
Ihardlyknowhowtoexpressit。Theshortestwayperhapswillbetoletyoufinditoutforyourself。Youhavebeenspeakingofmylonelyunprotectedlifehere。Itisnotaveryhappylife，Henry——Iownthat。’
Shepaused，observingthegrowinganxietyofhisexpressionashelookedather，withashysatisfactionthatperplexedhim。
’DoyouknowthatIhaveanticipatedyouridea？’shewenton。
’Iamgoingtomakeagreatchangeinmylife——ifyourbrotherStephenandhiswifewillonlyconsenttoit。’Sheopenedthedeskofthewriting-tablewhileshespoke，tookaletterout，andhandedittoHenry。
Hereceiveditfromhermechanically。Vaguedoubts，whichhehardlyunderstoodhimself，kepthimsilent。Itwasimpossiblethatthe’changeinherlife’ofwhichshehadspokencouldmeanthatshewasabouttobemarried——andyethewasconsciousofaperfectlyunreasonablereluctancetoopentheletter。Theireyesmet；shesmiledagain。
’Lookattheaddress，’shesaid。’Yououghttoknowthehandwriting——
butIdaresayyoudon’t。’
Helookedattheaddress。Itwasinthelarge，irregular，uncertainwritingofachild。Heopenedtheletterinstantly。
’DearAuntAgnes，——Ourgovernessisgoingaway。Shehashadmoneylefttoher，andahouseofherown。Wehavehadcakeandwinetodrinkherhealth。Youpromisedtobeourgovernessifwewantedanother。Wewantyou。Mammaknowsnothingaboutthis。
PleasecomebeforeMammacangetanothergoverness。YourlovingLucy，whowritesthis。ClaraandBlanchehavetriedtowritetoo。
Buttheyaretooyoungtodoit。Theyblotthepaper。’
’Youreldestniece，’Agnesexplained，asHenrylookedatherinamazement。
’ThechildrenusedtocallmeauntwhenIwasstayingwiththeirmotherinIreland，intheautumn。Thethreegirlsweremyinseparablecompanions——theyarethemostcharmingchildrenIknow。
ItisquitetruethatIofferedtobetheirgoverness，iftheyeverwantedone，onthedaywhenIleftthemtoreturntoLondon。
Iwaswritingtoproposeittotheirmother，justbeforeyoucame。’
’Notseriously！’Henryexclaimed。
Agnesplacedherunfinishedletterinhishand。EnoughofithadbeenwrittentoshowthatshedidseriouslyproposetoenterthehouseholdofMr。andMrs。StephenWestwickasgovernesstotheirchildren！
Henry’sbewildermentwasnottobeexpressedinwords。
’Theywon’tbelieveyouareinearnest，’hesaid。
’Whynot？’Agnesaskedquietly。
’YouaremybrotherStephen’scousin；youarehiswife’soldfriend。’
’Allthemorereason，Henry，fortrustingmewiththechargeoftheirchildren。’
’Butyouaretheirequal；youarenotobligedtogetyourlivingbyteaching。Thereissomethingabsurdinyourenteringtheirserviceasagoverness！’
’Whatisthereabsurdinit？Thechildrenloveme；themotherlovesme；
thefatherhasshownmeinnumerableinstancesofhistruefriendshipandregard。Iamtheverywomanfortheplace——and，astomyeducation，Imusthavecompletelyforgottenitindeed，ifIamnotfittoteachthreechildrentheeldestofwhomisonlyelevenyearsold。
YousayIamtheirequal。Aretherenootherwomenwhoserveasgovernesses，andwhoaretheequalsofthepersonswhomtheyserve？Besides，Idon’tknowthatIamtheirequal。
HaveInotheardthatyourbrotherStephenwasthenextheirtothetitle？Willhenotbethenewlord？Nevermindansweringme！
Wewon’tdisputewhetherImnrightorwronginturninggoverness——
wewillwaittheevent。Iamwearyofmylonelyuselessexistencehere，andeagertomakemylifemorehappyandmoreuseful，inthehouseholdofallothersinwhichIshouldlikemosttohaveaplace。
Ifyouwilllookagain，youwillseethatIhavethesepersonalconsiderationsstilltourgebeforeIfinishmyletter。
Youdon’tknowyourbrotherandhiswifeaswellasIdo，ifyoudoubttheiranswer。IbelievetheyhavecourageenoughandheartenoughtosayYes。’
Henrysubmittedwithoutbeingconvinced。
Hewasamanwhodislikedalleccentricdeparturesfromcustomandroutine；
andhefeltespeciallysuspiciousofthechangeproposedinthelifeofAgnes。Withnewintereststooccupyhermind，shemightbelessfavourablydisposedtolistentohim，onthenextoccasionwhenheurgedhissuit。Theinfluenceofthe’lonelyuselessexistence’
ofwhichshecomplained，wasdistinctlyaninfluenceinhisfavour。
Whileherheartwasempty，herheartwasaccessible。
Butwithhisniecesinfullpossessionofit，thecloudsofdoubtovershadowedhisprospects。Heknewthesexwellenoughtokeepthesepurelyselfishperplexitiestohimself。ThewaitingpolicywasespeciallythepolicytopursuewithawomanassensitiveasAgnes。
Ifheonceoffendedherdelicacyhewaslost。Forthemomenthewiselycontrolledhimselfandchangedthesubject。
’Mylittleniece’sletterhashadaneffect，’hesaid，’whichthechildnevercontemplatedinwritingit。ShehasjustremindedmeofoneoftheobjectsthatIhadincallingonyouto-day。’
Agneslookedatthechild’sletter。’HowdoesLucydothat？’
sheasked。
’Lucy’sgovernessisnottheonlyluckypersonwhohashadmoneylefther，’Henryanswered。’Isyouroldnurseinthehouse？’
’Youdon’tmeantosaythatnursehasgotalegacy？’
’Shehasgotahundredpounds。Sendforher，Agnes，whileIshowyoutheletter。’
Hetookahandfuloflettersfromhispocket，andlookedthroughthem，whileAgnesrangthebell。Returningtohim，shenoticedaprintedletteramongtherest，whichlayopenonthetable。Itwasa’prospectus，’andthetitleofitwas’PalaceHotelCompanyofVenice（Limited）。’Thetwowords，’Palace’and’Venice，’instantlyrecalledhermindtotheunwelcomevisitofLadyMontbarry。’Whatisthat？’
sheasked，pointingtothetitle。
Henrysuspendedhissearch，andglancedattheprospectus。
’Areallypromisingspeculation，’hesaid。’Largehotelsalwayspaywell，iftheyarewellmanaged。Iknowthemanwhoisappointedtobemanagerofthishotelwhenitisopenedtothepublic；
andIhavesuchentireconfidenceinhimthatIhavebecomeoneoftheshareholdersoftheCompany。’
ThereplydidnotappeartosatisfyAgnes。’Whyisthehotelcalledthe\"PalaceHotel\"？’sheinquired。
Henrylookedather，andatoncepenetratedhermotiveforaskingthequestion。’Yes，’hesaid，’itisthepalacethatMontbarryhiredatVenice；andithasbeenpurchasedbytheCompanytobechangedintoanhotel。’
Agnesturnedawayinsilence，andtookachairatthefartherendoftheroom。Henryhaddisappointedher。Hisincomeasayoungersonstoodinneed，asshewellknew，ofalltheadditionsthathecouldmaketoitbysuccessfulspeculation。Butshewasunreasonableenough，nevertheless，todisapproveofhisattemptingtomakemoneyalreadyoutofthehouseinwhichhisbrotherhaddied。
Incapableofunderstandingthispurelysentimentalviewofaplainmatterofbusiness，Henryreturnedtohispapers，insomeperplexityatthesuddenchangeinthemannerofAgnestowardshim。
Justashefoundtheletterofwhichhewasinsearch，thenursemadeherappearance。HeglancedatAgnes，expectingthatshewouldspeakfirst。Sheneverevenlookedupwhenthenursecamein。
ItwaslefttoHenrytotelltheoldwomanwhythebellhadsummonedhertothedrawing-room。
’Well，nurse，’hesaid，’youhavehadawindfallofluck。
Youhavehadalegacyleftyouofahundredpounds。’
Thenurseshowednooutwardsignsofexultation。Shewaitedalittletogettheannouncementofthelegacywellsettledinhermind——
andthenshesaidquietly，’MasterHenry，whogivesmethatmoney，ifyouplease？’
’Mylatebrother，LordMontbarry，givesittoyou。’（Agnesinstantlylookedup，interestedinthematterforthefirsttime。Henrywenton。）
’Hiswillleaveslegaciestothesurvivingoldservantsofthefamily。
Thereisaletterfromhislawyers，authorisingyoutoapplytothemforthemoney。’
Ineveryclassofsociety，gratitudeistherarestofallhumanvirtues。
Inthenurse’sclassitisextremelyrare。Heropinionofthemanwhohaddeceivedanddesertedhermistressremainedthesameopinionstill，perfectlyundisturbedbythepassingcircumstanceofthelegacy。
’Iwonderwhoremindedmylordoftheoldservants？’shesaid。
’Hewouldneverhaveheartenoughtorememberthemhimself！’
Agnessuddenlyinterposed。Nature，alwaysabhorringmonotony，institutesreservesoftemperaselementsinthecompositionofthegentlestwomenliving。EvenAgnescould，onrareoccasions，beangry。
Thenurse’sviewofMontbarry’scharacterseemedtohaveprovokedherbeyondendurance。
’Ifyouhaveanysenseofshameinyou，’shebrokeout，’yououghttobeashamedofwhatyouhavejustsaid！Youringratitudedisgustsme。
Ileaveyoutospeakwithher，Henry——youwon’tmindit！’
Withthissignificantintimationthathetoohaddroppedoutofhiscustomaryplaceinhergoodopinion，shelefttheroom。
Thenursereceivedthesmartreproofadministeredtoherwitheveryappearanceoffeelingratheramusedbyitthannot。
Whenthedoorhadclosed，thisfemalephilosopherwinkedatHenry。
’There’sapowerofobstinacyinyoungwomen，’sheremarked。
’MissAgneswouldn’tgivemylordupasabadone，evenwhenhejiltedher。Andnowshe’ssweetonhimafterhe’sdead。
Sayawordagainsthim，andshefiresupasyousee。Allobstinacy！
Itwillwearoutwithtime。Sticktoher，MasterHenry——
sticktoher！’
’Shedoesn’tseemtohaveoffendedyou，’saidHenry。
’She？’thenurserepeatedinamazement——’sheoffendme？
Ilikeherinhertantrums；itremindsmeofherwhenshewasababy。