Lordblessyou！whenIgotobidhergood-night，she’llgivemeabigkiss，poordear——andsay，Nurse，Ididn’tmeanit！
Aboutthismoney，MasterHenry？IfIwasyoungerIshouldspenditindressandjewellery。ButI’mtoooldforthat。
WhatshallIdowithmylegacywhenIhavegotit？’
’Putitoutatinterest，’Henrysuggested。’Getsomuchayearforit，youknow。’’HowmuchshallIget？’thenurseasked。
’IfyouputyourhundredpoundsintotheFunds，youwillgetbetweenthreeandfourpoundsayear。’
Thenurseshookherhead。’Threeorfourpoundsayear？Thatwon’tdo！
Iwantmorethanthat。Lookhere，MasterHenry。Idon’tcareaboutthisbitofmoney——Ineverdidlikethemanwhohasleftittome，thoughhewasyourbrother。IfIlostitallto-morrow，Ishouldn’tbreakmyheart；I’mwellenoughoff，asitis，fortherestofmydays。
Theysayyou’reaspeculator。Putmeinforagoodthing，there’sadear！Neck-or-nothing——andthatfortheFunds！’
Shesnappedherfingerstoexpresshercontemptforsecurityofinvestmentatthreepercent。
HenryproducedtheprospectusoftheVenetianHotelCompany。
’You’reafunnyoldwoman，’hesaid。’There，youdashingspeculator——
thereisneck-or-nothingforyou！YoumustkeepitasecretfromMissAgnes，mind。I’mnotatallsurethatshewouldapproveofmyhelpingyoutothisinvestment。’
Thenursetookoutherspectacles。’Sixpercent。guaranteed，’sheread；
’andtheDirectorshaveeveryreasontobelievethattenpercent。，ormore，willbeultimatelyrealisedtotheshareholdersbythehotel。’
’Putmeintothat，MasterHenry！And，whereveryougo，forHeaven’ssakerecommendthehoteltoyourfriends！’
Sothenurse，followingHenry’smercenaryexample，hadherpecuniaryinterest，too，inthehouseinwhichLordMontbarryhaddied。
ThreedayspassedbeforeHenrywasabletovisitAgnesagain。
Inthattime，thelittlecloudbetweenthemhadentirelypassedaway。
Agnesreceivedhimwithevenmorethanhercustomarykindness。
Shewasinbetterspiritsthanusual。HerlettertoMrs。StephenWestwickhadbeenansweredbyreturnofpost；andherproposalhadbeenjoyfullyaccepted，withonemodification。ShewastovisittheWestwicksforamonth——and，ifshereallylikedteachingthechildren，shewasthentobegoverness，aunt，andcousin，allinone——
andwasonlytogoawayinaneventwhichherfriendsinIrelandpersistedincontemplating，theeventofhermarriage。
’YouseeIwasright，’shesaidtoHenry。
Hewasstillincredulous。’Areyoureallygoing？’heasked。
’Iamgoingnextweek。’
’WhenshallIseeyouagain？’
’Youknowyouarealwayswelcomeatyourbrother’shouse。
Youcanseemewhenyoulike。’Sheheldoutherhand。’Pardonmeforleavingyou——Iambeginningtopackupalready。’
Henrytriedtokissheratparting。Shedrewbackdirectly。
’Whynot？Iamyourcousin，’hesaid。
’Idon’tlikeit，’sheanswered。
Henrylookedather，andsubmitted。Herrefusaltogranthimhisprivilegeasacousinwasagoodsign——itwasindirectlyanactofencouragementtohiminthecharacterofherlover。
Onthefirstdayinthenewweek，AgnesleftLondononherwaytoIreland。
Astheeventproved，thiswasnotdestinedtobetheendofherjourney。
ThewaytoIrelandwasonlythefirststageonaroundaboutroad——
theroadthatledtothepalaceatVenice。
THETHIRDPART
CHAPTERXIII
Inthespringoftheyear1861，Agneswasestablishedatthecountry-seatofhertwofriends——nowpromoted（onthedeathofthefirstlord，withoutoffspring）tobethenewLordandLadyMontbarry。
Theoldnursewasnotseparatedfromhermistress。Aplace，suitedtohertimeoflife，hadbeenfoundforherinthepleasantIrishhousehold。Shewasperfectlyhappyinhernewsphere；
andshespentherfirsthalf-year’sdividendfromtheVeniceHotelCompany，withcharacteristicprodigality，inpresentsforthechildren。
Earlyintheyear，also，theDirectorsofthelifeinsuranceofficessubmittedtocircumstances，andpaidthetenthousandpounds。
Immediatelyafterwards，thewidowofthefirstLordMontbarry（otherwise，thedowagerLadyMontbarry）leftEngland，withBaronRivar，fortheUnitedStates。TheBaron’sobjectwasannounced，inthescientificcolumnsofthenewspapers，tobeinvestigationintothepresentstateofexperimentalchemistryinthegreatAmericanrepublic。
Hissisterinformedinquiringfriendsthatsheaccompaniedhim，inthehopeoffindingconsolationinchangeofsceneafterthebereavementthathadfallenonher。HearingthisnewsfromHenryWestwick（thenpayingavisitathisbrother’shouse），Agneswasconsciousofacertainsenseofrelief。’WiththeAtlanticbetweenus，’
shesaid，’surelyIhavedonewiththatterriblewomannow！’
Barelyaweekpassedafterthosewordshadbeenspoken，beforeaneventhappenedwhichremindedAgnesof’theterriblewoman’
oncemore。
Onthatday，Henry’sengagementshadobligedhimtoreturntoLondon。
Hehadventured，onthemorningofhisdeparture，topresshissuitoncemoreonAgnes；andthechildren，ashehadanticipated，provedtobeinnocentobstaclesinthewayofhissuccess。
Ontheotherhand，hehadprivatelysecuredafirmallyinhissister-in-law。’Havealittlepatience，’thenewLadyMontbarryhadsaid，’andleavemetoturntheinfluenceofthechildrenintherightdirection。Iftheycanpersuadehertolistentoyou——
theyshall！’
ThetwoladieshadaccompaniedHenry，andsomeotherguestswhowentawayatthesametime，totherailwaystation，andhadjustdrivenbacktothehouse，whentheservantannouncedthat’apersonofthenameofRollandwaswaitingtoseeherladyship。’
’Isitawoman？’
’Yes，mylady。’
YoungLadyMontbarryturnedtoAgnes。
’Thisistheveryperson，’shesaid，’whomyourlawyerthoughtlikelytohelphim，whenhewastryingtotracethelostcourier。’
’Youdon’tmeantheEnglishmaidwhowaswithLadyMontbarryatVenice？’
’Mydear！don’tspeakofMontbarry’shorridwidowbythenamewhichismynamenow。StephenandIhavearrangedtocallherbyherforeigntitle，beforeshewasmarried。Iam\"LadyMontbarry，\"
andsheis\"theCountess。\"Inthatwaytherewillbenoconfusion。——
Yes，Mrs。RollandwasinmyservicebeforeshebecametheCountess’smaid。
Shewasaperfectlytrustworthyperson，withonedefectthatobligedmetosendheraway——asullentemperwhichledtoperpetualcomplaintsofherintheservants’hall。Wouldyouliketoseeher？’
Agnesacceptedtheproposal，inthefainthopeofgettingsomeinformationforthecourier’swife。ThecompletedefeatofeveryattempttotracethelostmanhadbeenacceptedasfinalbyMrs。Ferrari。
Shehaddeliberatelyarrayedherselfinwidow’smourning；
andwasearningherlivelihoodinanemploymentwhichtheunweariedkindnessofAgneshadprocuredforherinLondon。ThelastchanceofpenetratingthemysteryofFerrari’sdisappearanceseemedtorestnowonwhatFerrari’sformerfellow-servantmightbeabletotell。
Withhighly-wroughtexpectations，AgnesfollowedherfriendintotheroominwhichMrs。Rollandwaswaiting。
Atallbonywoman，intheautumnoflife，withsunkeneyesandiron-greyhair，rosestifflyfromherchair，andsalutedtheladieswithsternsubmissionastheyopenedthedoor。Apersonofunblemishedcharacter，evidently——butnotwithoutvisibledrawbacks。
Bigbushyeyebrows，anawfullydeepandsolemnvoice，aharshunbendingmanner，acompleteabsenceinherfigureoftheundulatinglinescharacteristicofthesex，presentedVirtueinthisexcellentpersonunderitsleastalluringaspect。Strangers，onafirstintroductiontoher，wereaccustomedtowonderwhyshewasnotaman。
’Areyouprettywell，Mrs。Rolland？’
’IamaswellasIcanexpecttobe，mylady，atmytimeoflife。’
’IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？’
’Yourladyshipcandomeagreatfavour，ifyouwillpleasespeaktomycharacterwhileIwasinyourservice。Iamofferedaplace，towaitonaninvalidladywhohaslatelycometoliveinthisneighbourhood。’
’Ah，yes——Ihaveheardofher。AMrs。Carbury，withaveryprettynieceIamtold。But，Mrs。Rolland，youleftmyservicesometimeago。
Mrs。Carburywillsurelyexpectyoutorefertothelastmistressbywhomyouwereemployed。’
AflashofvirtuousindignationirradiatedMrs。Rolland’ssunkeneyes。
Shecoughedbeforesheanswered，asifher’lastmistress’
stuckinherthroat。
’IhaveexplainedtoMrs。Carbury，mylady，thatthepersonIlastserved——
Ireallycannotgiveherhertitleinyourladyship’spresence！——
hasleftEnglandforAmerica。Mrs。CarburyknowsthatIquittedthepersonofmyownfreewill，andknowswhy，andapprovesofmyconductsofar。Awordfromyourladyshipwillbeamplysufficienttogetmethesituation。’
’Verywell，Mrs。Rolland，Ihavenoobjectiontobeyourreference，underthecircumstances。Mrs。Carburywillfindmeathometo-morrowuntiltwoo’clock。’
’Mrs。Carburyisnotwellenoughtoleavethehouse，mylady。
Herniece，MissHaldane，willcallandmaketheinquiries，ifyourladyshiphasnoobjection。’
’Ihavenottheleastobjection。Theprettyniececarriesherownwelcomewithher。Waitaminute，Mrs。Rolland。
ThisladyisMissLockwood——myhusband’scousin，andmyfriend。
SheisanxioustospeaktoyouaboutthecourierwhowasinthelateLordMontbarry’sserviceatVenice。’
Mrs。Rolland’sbushyeyebrowsfrownedinsterndisapprovalofthenewtopicofconversation。’Iregrettohearit，mylady，’
wasallshesaid。
’PerhapsyouhavenotbeeninformedofwhathappenedafteryouleftVenice？’Agnesventuredtoadd。’Ferrarileftthepalacesecretly；
andhehasneverbeenheardofsince。’
Mrs。Rollandmysteriouslyclosedhereyes——asiftoexcludesomevisionofthelostcourierwhichwasofanaturetodisturbarespectablewoman。
’NothingthatMr。Ferraricoulddowouldsurpriseme，’sherepliedinherdeepestbasstones。
’Youspeakratherharshlyofhim，’saidAgnes。
Mrs。Rollandsuddenlyopenedhereyesagain。’Ispeakharshlyofnobodywithoutreason，’shesaid。’Mr。Ferraribehavedtome，MissLockwood，asnomanlivinghaseverbehaved——beforeorsince。’
’Whatdidhedo？’
Mrs。Rollandanswered，withastonystareofhorror：——
’Hetooklibertieswithme。’
YoungLadyMontbarrysuddenlyturnedaside，andputherhandkerchiefoverhermouthinconvulsionsofsuppressedlaughter。
Mrs。Rollandwenton，withagrimenjoymentofthebewildermentwhichherreplyhadproducedinAgnes：’AndwhenIinsistedonanapology，Miss，hehadtheaudacitytosaythatthelifeatthepalacewasdull，andhedidn’tknowhowelsetoamusehimself！’
’IamafraidIhavehardlymademyselfunderstood，’saidAgnes。
’IamnotspeakingtoyououtofanyinterestinFerrari。
Areyouawarethatheismarried？’
’Ipityhiswife，’saidMrs。Rolland。
’Sheisnaturallyingreatgriefabouthim，’Agnesproceeded。
’SheoughttothankGodsheisridofhim，’Mrs。Rollandinterposed。
Agnesstillpersisted。’IhaveknownMrs。Ferrarifromherchildhood，andIamsincerelyanxioustohelpherinthismatter。Didyounoticeanything，whileyouwereatVenice，thatwouldaccountforherhusband’sextraordinarydisappearance？Onwhatsortofterms，forinstance，didhelivewithhismasterandmistress？’
’Ontermsoffamiliaritywithhismistress，’saidMrs。Rolland，’whichweresimplysickeningtoarespectableEnglishservant。
Sheusedtoencouragehimtotalktoheraboutallhisaffairs——
howhegotonwithhiswife，andhowpressedhewasformoney，andsuchlike——justasiftheywereequals。Contemptible——that’swhatI
callit。’
’Andhismaster？’Agnescontinued。’HowdidFerrarigetonwithLordMontbarry？’
’Mylordusedtoliveshutupwithhisstudiesandhissorrows，’
Mrs。Rollandanswered，withahardsolemnityexpressiveofrespectforhislordship’smemory。Mr。Ferrarigothismoneywhenitwasdue；
andhecaredfornothingelse。\"IfIcouldaffordit，Iwouldleavetheplacetoo；butIcan’taffordit。\"Thosewerethelastwordshesaidtome，onthemorningwhenIleftthepalace。
Imadenoreply。Afterwhathadhappened（onthatotheroccasion）
IwasnaturallynotonspeakingtermswithMr。Ferrari。’
’Canyoureallytellmenothingwhichwillthrowanylightonthismatter？’
’Nothing，’saidMrs。Rolland，withanundisguisedrelishofthedisappointmentthatshewasinflicting。
’TherewasanothermemberofthefamilyatVenice，’Agnesresumed，determinedtosiftthequestiontothebottomwhileshehadthechance。
’TherewasBaronRivar。’
Mrs。Rollandliftedherlargehands，coveredwithrustyblackgloves，inmuteprotestagainsttheintroductionofBaronRivarasasubjectofinquiry。’Areyouaware，Miss，’shebegan，’thatIleftmyplaceinconsequenceofwhatIobserved——？’
Agnesstoppedherthere。’Ionlywantedtoask，’sheexplained，’ifanythingwassaidordonebyBaronRivarwhichmightaccountforFerrari’sstrangeconduct。’
’NothingthatIknowof，’saidMrs。Rolland。’TheBaronandMr。Ferrari（ifImayusesuchanexpression）were\"birdsofafeather，\"
sofarasIcouldsee——Imean，onewasasunprincipledastheother。
Iamajustwoman；andIwillgiveyouanexample。OnlythedaybeforeIleft，IheardtheBaronsay（throughtheopendoorofhisroomwhileIwaspassingalongthecorridor），\"Ferrari，Iwantathousandpounds。Whatwouldyoudoforathousandpounds？\"AndIheardMr。Ferrarianswer，\"Anything，sir，aslongasIwasnotfoundout。\"
Andthentheybothburstoutlaughing。Iheardnomorethanthat。
Judgeforyourself，Miss。’
Agnesreflectedforamoment。AthousandpoundswasthesumthathadbeensenttoMrs。Ferrariintheanonymousletter。
Wasthatenclosureinanywayconnected，asaresult，withtheconversationbetweentheBaronandFerrari？ItwasuselesstopressanymoreinquiriesonMrs。Rolland。Shecouldgivenofurtherinformationwhichwasoftheslightestimportancetotheobjectinview。Therewasnoalternativebuttograntherdismissal。
Onemoreefforthadbeenmadetofindatraceofthelostman，andonceagaintheefforthadfailed。
Theywereafamilypartyatthedinner-tablethatday。TheonlyguestleftinthehousewasanephewofthenewLordMontbarry——
theeldestsonofhissister，LadyBarrville。LadyMontbarrycouldnotresisttellingthestoryofthefirst（andlast）attackmadeonthevirtueofMrs。Rolland，withacomically-exactimitationofMrs。Rolland’sdeepanddismalvoice。Beingaskedbyherhusbandwhatwastheobjectwhichhadbroughtthatformidablepersontothehouse，shenaturallymentionedtheexpectedvisitofMissHaldane。
ArthurBarville，unusuallysilentandpre-occupiedsofar，suddenlystruckintotheconversationwithaburstofenthusiasm。
’MissHaldaneisthemostcharminggirlinallIreland！’hesaid。
’Icaughtsightofheryesterday，overthewallofhergarden，asIwasridingby。Whattimeisshecomingto-morrow？Beforetwo？
I’lllookintothedrawing-roombyaccident——Iamdyingtobeintroducedtoher！’
Agneswasamusedbyhisenthusiasm。’AreyouinlovewithMissHaldanealready？’sheasked。
Arthuransweredgravely，’It’snojokingmatter。Ihavebeenalldayatthegardenwall，waitingtoseeheragain！ItdependsonMissHaldanetomakemethehappiestorthewretchedestmanliving。’
’Youfoolishboy！Howcanyoutalksuchnonsense？’
Hewastalkingnonsenseundoubtedly。But，ifAgneshadonlyknownit，hewasdoingsomethingmorethanthat。HewasinnocentlyleadingheranotherstageneareronthewaytoVenice。
CHAPTERXIV
Asthesummermonthsadvanced，thetransformationoftheVenetianpalaceintothemodernhotelproceededrapidlytowardscompletion。
Theoutsideofthebuilding，withitsfinePalladianfrontlookingonthecanal，waswiselyleftunaltered。Inside，asamatterofnecessity，theroomswerealmostrebuilt——sofaratleastasthesizeandthearrangementofthemwereconcerned。
Thevastsaloonswerepartitionedoffinto’apartments’containingthreeorfourroomseach。Thebroadcorridorsintheupperregionsaffordedsparespaceenoughforrowsoflittlebedchambers，devotedtoservantsandtotravellerswithlimitedmeans。
Nothingwassparedbutthesolidfloorsandthefinely-carvedceilings。
Theselast，inexcellentpreservationastoworkmanship，merelyrequiredcleaning，andregildinghereandthere，toaddgreatlytothebeautyandimportanceofthebestroomsinthehotel。
Theonlyexceptiontothecompletere-organizationoftheinteriorwasatoneextremityoftheedifice，onthefirstandsecondfloors。
Heretherehappened，ineachcase，toberoomsofsuchcomparativelymoderatesize，andsoattractivelydecorated，thatthearchitectsuggestedleavingthemastheywere。ItwasafterwardsdiscoveredthatthesewerenootherthantheapartmentsformerlyoccupiedbyLordMontbarry（onthefirstfloor），andbyBaronRivar（onthesecond）。TheroominwhichMontbarryhaddiedwasstillfittedupasabedroom，andwasnowdistinguishedasNumberFourteen。
Theroomaboveit，inwhichtheBaronhadslept，tookitsplaceonthehotel-registerasNumberThirty-Eight。Withtheornamentsonthewallsandceilingscleanedandbrightenedup，andwiththeheavyold-fashionedbeds，chairs，andtablesreplacedbybright，pretty，andluxuriousmodernfurniture，thesetwopromisedtobeatoncethemostattractiveandthemostcomfortablebedchambersinthehotel。
Asfortheonce-desolateanddisusedgroundfloorofthebuilding，itwasnowtransformed，bymeansofsplendiddining-rooms，reception-rooms，billiard-rooms，andsmoking-rooms，intoapalacebyitself。
Eventhedungeon-likevaultsbeneath，nowlightedandventilatedonthemostapprovedmodernplan，hadbeenturnedasifbymagicintokitchens，servants’offices，ice-rooms，andwinecellars，worthyofthesplendourofthegrandesthotelinItaly，inthenowbygoneperiodofseventeenyearssince。
PassingfromthelapseofthesummermonthsatVenice，tothelapseofthesummermonthsinIreland，itisnexttoberecordedthatMrs。RollandobtainedthesituationofattendantontheinvalidMrs。Carbury；
andthatthefairMissHaldane，likeafemaleCaesar，came，saw，andconquered，onherfirstday’svisittothenewLordMontbarry’shouse。
TheladieswereasloudinherpraisesasArthurBarvillehimself。
LordMontbarrydeclaredthatshewastheonlyperfectlyprettywomanhehadeverseen，whowasreallyunconsciousofherownattractions。
Theoldnursesaidshelookedasifshehadjuststeppedoutofapicture，andwantednothingbutagiltframeroundhertomakehercomplete。
MissHaldane，onherside，returnedfromherfirstvisittotheMontbarryscharmedwithhernewacquaintances。Lateronthesameday，ArthurcalledwithanofferingoffruitandflowersforMrs。Carbury，andwithinstructionstoaskifshewaswellenoughtoreceiveLordandLadyMontbarryandMissLockwoodonthemorrow。
Inaweek’stime，thetwohouseholdswereonthefriendliestterms。
Mrs。Carbury，confinedtothesofabyaspinalmalady，hadbeenhithertodependentonhernieceforoneofthefewpleasuresshecouldenjoy，thepleasureofhavingthebestnewnovelsreadtoherastheycameout。Discoveringthis，ArthurvolunteeredtorelieveMissHaldane，atintervals，intheofficeofreader。
Hewascleveratmechanicalcontrivancesofallsorts，andheintroducedimprovementsinMrs。Carbury’scouch，andinthemeansofconveyingherfromthebedchambertothedrawing-room，whichalleviatedthepoorlady’ssufferingsandbrightenedhergloomylife。Withtheseclaimsonthegratitudeoftheaunt，aidedbythepersonaladvantageswhichheunquestionablypossessed，Arthuradvancedrapidlyinthefavourofthecharmingniece。
Shewas，itisneedlesstosay，perfectlywellawarethathewasinlovewithher，whilehewashimselfmodestlyreticentonthesubject——
sofaraswordswent。ButshewasnotequallyquickinpenetratingthenatureofherownfeelingstowardsArthur。Watchingthetwoyoungpeoplewithkeenpowersofobservation，necessarilyconcentratedonthembythecompleteseclusionofherlife，theinvalidladydiscoveredsignsofrousedsensibilityinMissHaldane，whenArthurwaspresent，whichhadneveryetshownthemselvesinhersocialrelationswithotheradmirerseagertopaytheiraddressestoher。
Havingdrawnherownconclusionsinprivate，Mrs。Carburytookthefirstfavourableopportunity（inArthur’sinterests）ofputtingthemtothetest。
’Idon’tknowwhatIshalldo，’shesaidoneday，’whenArthurgoesaway。’
MissHaldanelookedupquicklyfromherwork。’Surelyheisnotgoingtoleaveus！’sheexclaimed。
’Mydear！hehasalreadystayedathisuncle’shouseamonthlongerthanheintended。Hisfatherandmothernaturallyexpecttoseehimathomeagain。’
MissHaldanemetthisdifficultywithasuggestion，whichcouldonlyhaveproceededfromajudgmentalreadydisturbedbytheravagesofthetenderpassion。’Whycan’thisfatherandmothergoandseehimatLordMontbarry’s？’sheasked。’SirTheodore’splaceisonlythirtymilesaway，andLadyBarvilleisLordMontbarry’ssister。
Theyneedn’tstandonceremony。’
’Theymayhaveotherengagements，’Mrs。Carburyremarked。
’Mydearaunt，wedon’tknowthat！SupposeyouaskArthur？’
’Supposeyouaskhim？’
MissHaldanebentherheadagainoverherwork。Suddenlyasitwasdone，heraunthadseenherface——andherfacebetrayedher。
WhenArthurcamethenextday，Mrs。Carburysaidawordtohiminprivate，whileherniecewasinthegarden。Thelastnewnovellayneglectedonthetable。ArthurfollowedMissHaldaneintothegarden。Thenextdayhewrotehome，enclosinginhisletteraphotographofMissHaldane。Beforetheendoftheweek，SirTheodoreandLadyBarvillearrivedatLordMontbarry’s，andformedtheirownjudgmentofthefidelityoftheportrait。
Theyhadthemselvesmarriedearlyinlife——and，strangetosay，theydidnotobjectonprincipletotheearlymarriagesofotherpeople。Thequestionofagebeingthusdisposedof，thecourseoftruelovehadnootherobstaclestoencounter。
MissHaldanewasanonlychild，andwaspossessedofanamplefortune。
Arthur’scareerattheuniversityhadbeencreditable，butcertainlynotbrilliantenoughtopresenthiswithdrawalinthelightofadisaster。
AsSirTheodore’seldestson，hispositionwasalreadymadeforhim。
Hewastwo-and-twentyyearsofage；andtheyoungladywaseighteen。
Therewasreallynoproduciblereasonforkeepingtheloverswaiting，andnoexcusefordeferringthewedding-daybeyondthefirstweekinSeptember。Intheinterval，whilethebrideandbridegroomwouldbenecessarilyabsentontheinevitabletourabroad，asisterofMrs。Carburyvolunteeredtostaywithherduringthetemporaryseparationfromherniece。Ontheconclusionofthehoneymoon，theyoungcoupleweretoreturntoIreland，andweretoestablishthemselvesinMrs。Carbury’sspaciousandcomfortablehouse。
ThesearrangementsweredecideduponearlyinthemonthofAugust。
Aboutthesamedate，thelastalterationsintheoldpalaceatVenicewerecompleted。Theroomsweredriedbysteam；thecellarswerestocked；
themanagercollectedroundhimhisarmyofskilledservants；
andthenewhotelwasadvertisedalloverEuropetoopeninOctober。
CHAPTERXV
（MISSAGNESLOCKWOODTOMRS。FERRARI）
’Ipromisedtogiveyousomeaccount，dearEmily，ofthemarriageofMr。ArthurBarvilleandMissHaldane。Ittookplacetendayssince。
ButIhavehadsomanythingstolookafterintheabsenceofthemasterandmistressofthishouse，thatIamonlyabletowritetoyouto-day。
’Theinvitationstotheweddingwerelimitedtomembersofthefamiliesoneitherside，inconsiderationoftheillhealthofMissHaldane’saunt。
OnthesideoftheMontbarryfamily，therewerepresent，besidesLordandLadyMontbarry，SirTheodoreandLadyBarville；
Mrs。Norbury（whomyoumayrememberashislordship’ssecondsister）；
andMr。FrancisWestwick，andMr。HenryWestwick。ThethreechildrenandIattendedtheceremonyasbridesmaids。Wewerejoinedbytwoyoungladies，cousinsofthebrideandveryagreeablegirls。
Ourdresseswerewhite，trimmedwithgreeninhonourofIreland；
andweeachhadahandsomegoldbraceletgiventousasapresentfromthebridegroom。IfyouaddtothepersonswhomIhavealreadymentioned，theeldermembersofMrs。Carbury’sfamily，andtheoldservantsinbothhouses——privilegedtodrinkthehealthsofthemarriedpairatthelowerendoftheroom——youwillhavethelistofthecompanyatthewedding-breakfastcomplete。
’Theweatherwasperfect，andtheceremony（withmusic）
wasbeautifullyperformed。Asforthebride，nowordscandescribehowlovelyshelooked，orhowwellshewentthroughitall。
Wewereverymerryatthebreakfast，andthespeecheswentoffonthewholequitewellenough。Thelastspeech，beforethepartybrokeup，wasmadebyMr。HenryWestwick，andwasthebestofall。
Heofferedahappysuggestion，attheend，whichhasproducedaveryunexpectedchangeinmylifehere。
’AswellasIremember，heconcludedinthesewords：——\"Ononepoint，weareallagreed——wearesorrythatthepartinghourisnear，andweshouldbegladtomeetagain。Whyshouldwenotmeetagain？
Thisistheautumntimeoftheyear；wearemostofusleavinghomefortheholidays。Whatdoyousay（ifyouhavenoengagementsthatwillpreventit）tojoiningouryoungmarriedfriendsbeforethecloseoftheirtour，andrenewingthesocialsuccessofthisdelightfulbreakfastbyanotherfestivalinhonourofthehoneymoon？
ThebrideandbridegroomaregoingtoGermanyandtheTyrol，ontheirwaytoItaly。Iproposethatweallowthemamonthtothemselves，andthatwearrangetomeetthemafterwardsintheNorthofItaly——
sayatVenice。\"
’Thisproposalwasreceivedwithgreatapplause，whichwaschangedintoshoutsoflaughterbynolessapersonthanmydearoldnurse。
ThemomentMr。Westwickpronouncedtheword\"Venice，\"shestartedupamongtheservantsatthelowerendoftheroom，andcalledoutatthetopofhervoice，\"Gotoourhotel，ladiesandgentlemen！Wegetsixpercent。onourmoneyalready；
andifyouwillonlycrowdtheplaceandcallforthebestofeverything，itwillbetenpercentinourpocketsinnotime。
AskMasterHenry！\"
’Appealedtointhisirresistiblemanner，Mr。WestwickhadnochoicebuttoexplainthathewasconcernedasashareholderinanewHotelCompanyatVenice，andthathehadinvestedasmallsumofmoneyforthenurse（notveryconsiderately，asIthink）inthespeculation。
Hearingthis，thecompany，bywayofhumouringthejoke，drankanewtoast：——Successtothenurse’shotel，andaspeedyriseinthedividend！
’WhentheconversationreturnedinduetimetothemoreseriousquestionoftheproposedmeetingatVenice，difficultiesbegantopresentthemselves，causedofcoursebyinvitationsfortheautumnwhichmanyoftheguestshadalreadyaccepted。OnlytwomembersofMrs。Carbury’sfamilywereatlibertytokeeptheproposedappointment。
Onoursideweweremoreatleisuretodoaswepleased。
Mr。HenryWestwickdecidedtogotoVeniceinadvanceoftherest，totesttheaccommodationofthenewhotelontheopeningday。
Mrs。NorburyandMr。FrancisWestwickvolunteeredtofollowhim；
and，aftersomepersuasion，LordandLadyMontbarryconsentedtoaspeciesofcompromise。HislordshipcouldnotconvenientlysparetimeenoughforthejourneytoVenice，butheandLadyMontbarryarrangedtoaccompanyMrs。NorburyandMr。FrancisWestwickasfarontheirwaytoItalyasParis。Fivedayssince，theytooktheirdeparturetomeettheirtravellingcompanionsinLondon；leavingmehereinchargeofthethreedearchildren。
Theybeggedhard，ofcourse，tobetakenwithpapaandmamma。
Butitwasthoughtbetternottointerrupttheprogressoftheireducation，andnottoexposethem（especiallythetwoyoungergirls）tothefatiguesoftravelling。
’Ihavehadacharmingletterfromthebride，thismorning，datedCologne。Youcannotthinkhowartlesslyandprettilysheassuresmeofherhappiness。Somepeople，astheysayinIreland，areborntogoodluck——andIthinkArthurBarvilleisoneofthem。
’Whenyounextwrite，Ihopetohearthatyouareinbetterhealthandspirits，andthatyoucontinuetolikeyouremployment。
Believeme，sincerelyyourfriend，——A。L。’
Agneshadjustclosedanddirectedherletter，whentheeldestofherthreepupilsenteredtheroomwiththestartlingannouncementthatLordMontbarry’stravelling-servanthadarrivedfromParis！
Alarmedbytheideathatsomemisfortunehadhappened，sheranouttomeetthemaninthehall。Herfacetoldhimhowseriouslyhehadfrightenedher，beforeshecouldspeak。’There’snothingwrong，Miss，’
hehastenedtosay。’MylordandmyladyareenjoyingthemselvesatParis。Theyonlywantyouandtheyoungladiestobewiththem。’
Sayingtheseamazingwords，hehandedtoAgnesaletterfromLadyMontbarry。
’DearestAgnes，’（sheread），’Iamsocharmedwiththedelightfulchangeinmylife——itissixyears，remember，sinceIlasttravelledontheContinent——thatIhaveexertedallmyfascinationstopersuadeLordMontbarrytogoontoVenice。And，whatismoretothepurpose，Ihaveactuallysucceeded！HehasjustgonetohisroomtowritethenecessarylettersofexcuseintimefortheposttoEngland。
Mayyouhaveasgoodahusband，mydear，whenyourtimecomes！
Inthemeanwhile，theonethingwantingnowtomakemyhappinesscomplete，istohaveyouandthedarlingchildrenwithus。
MontbarryisjustasmiserablewithoutthemasIam——thoughhedoesn’tconfessitsofreely。Youwillhavenodifficultiestotroubleyou。
Louiswilldeliverthesehurriedlines，andwilltakecareofyouonthejourneytoParis。Kissthechildrenformeathousandtimes——
andnevermindtheireducationforthepresent！Packupinstantly，mydear，andIwillbefonderofyouthanever。Youraffectionatefriend，AdelaMontbarry。’
Agnesfoldeduptheletter；and，feelingtheneedofcomposingherself，tookrefugeforafewminutesinherownroom。
HerfirstnaturalsensationsofsurpriseandexcitementattheprospectofgoingtoVeniceweresucceededbyimpressionsofalessagreeablekind。
WiththerecoveryofhercustomarycomposurecametheunwelcomeremembranceofthepartingwordsspokentoherbyMontbarry’swidow：——’Weshallmeetagain——hereinEngland，orthereinVenicewheremyhusbanddied——andmeetforthelasttime。’
Itwasanoddcoincidence，tosaytheleastofit，thatthemarchofeventsshouldbeunexpectedlytakingAgnestoVenice，afterthosewordshadbeenspoken！WasthewomanofthemysteriouswarningsandthewildblackeyesstillthousandsofmilesawayinAmerica？
Orwasthemarchofeventstakingherunexpectedly，too，onthejourneytoVenice？Agnesstartedoutofherchair，ashamedofeventhemomentaryconcessiontosuperstitionwhichwasimpliedbythemerepresenceofsuchquestionsastheseinhermind。
Sherangthebell，andsentforherlittlepupils，andannouncedtheirapproachingdeparturetothehousehold。Thenoisydelightofthechildren，theinspiritingeffortofpackingupinahurry，rousedallherenergies。Shedismissedherownabsurdmisgivingsfromconsideration，withthecontemptthattheydeserved。Sheworkedasonlywomencanwork，whentheirheartsareinwhattheydo。
ThetravellersreachedDublinthatday，intimefortheboattoEngland。Twodayslater，theywerewithLordandLadyMontbarryatParis。
THEFOURTHPART
CHAPTERXVI
ItwasonlythetwentiethofSeptember，whenAgnesandthechildrenreachedParis。Mrs。NorburyandherbrotherFrancishadthenalreadystartedontheirjourneytoItaly——atleastthreeweeksbeforethedateatwhichthenewhotelwastoopenforthereceptionoftravellers。
ThepersonanswerableforthisprematuredeparturewasFrancisWestwick。
LikehisyoungerbrotherHenry，hehadincreasedhispecuniaryresourcesbyhisownenterpriseandingenuity；withthisdifference，thathisspeculationswereconnectedwiththeArts。
Hehadmademoney，inthefirstinstance，byaweeklynewspaper；
andhehadtheninvestedhisprofitsinaLondontheatre。
Thislatterenterprise，admirablyconducted，hadbeenrewardedbythepublicwithsteadyandliberalencouragement。Ponderingoveranewformoftheatricalattractionforthecomingwinterseason，Francishaddeterminedtorevivethelanguidpublictastefortheballetbymeansofanentertainmentofhisowninvention，combiningdramaticinterestwithdancing。Hewasnow，accordingly，insearchofthebestdancer（possessedoftheindispensablepersonalattractions）
whowastobefoundinthetheatresoftheContinent。
Hearingfromhisforeigncorrespondentsoftwowomenwhohadmadesuccessfulfirstappearances，oneatMilanandoneatFlorence，hehadarrangedtovisitthosecities，andtojudgeofthemeritsofthedancersforhimself，beforehejoinedthebrideandbridegroom。
Hiswidowedsister，havingfriendsatFlorencewhomshewasanxioustosee，readilyaccompaniedhim。TheMontbarrysremainedatParis，untilitwastimetopresentthemselvesatthefamilymeetinginVenice。
HenryfoundthemstillintheFrenchcapital，whenhearrivedfromLondononhiswaytotheopeningofthenewhotel。
AgainstLadyMontbarry’sadvice，hetooktheopportunityofrenewinghisaddressestoAgnes。Hecouldhardlyhavechosenamoreunpropitioustimeforpleadinghiscausewithher。
ThegaietiesofParis（quiteincomprehensiblytoherselfaswellastoeveryoneabouther）hadadepressingeffectonherspirits。
Shehadnoillnesstocomplainof；shesharedwillinglyintheever-varyingsuccessionofamusementsofferedtostrangersbytheingenuityoftheliveliestpeopleintheworld——butnothingrousedher：
sheremainedpersistentlydullandwearythroughitall。
Inthisframeofmindandbody，shewasinnohumourtoreceiveHenry’sill-timedaddresseswithfavour，orevenwithpatience：
sheplainlyandpositivelyrefusedtolistentohim。’WhydoyouremindmeofwhatIhavesuffered？’sheaskedpetulantly。’Don’tyouseethatithasleftitsmarkonmeforlife？’
’IthoughtIknewsomethingofwomenbythistime，’Henrysaid，appealingprivatelytoLadyMontbarryforconsolation。’ButAgnescompletelypuzzlesme。ItisayearsinceMontbarry’sdeath；andsheremainsasdevotedtohismemoryasifhehaddiedfaithfultoher——
shestillfeelsthelossofhim，asnoneofusfeelit！’
’Sheisthetruestwomanthateverbreathedthebreathoflife，’
LadyMontbarryanswered。’Rememberthat，andyouwillunderstandher。
CansuchawomanasAgnesgiveherloveorrefuseit，accordingtocircumstances？Becausethemanwasunworthyofher，washelessthemanofherchoice？Thetruestandbestfriendtohim（littleashedeservedit）inhislifetime，shenaturallyremainsthetruestandbestfriendtohismemorynow。
Ifyoureallyloveher，wait；andtrusttoyourtwobestfriends——
totimeandtome。Thereismyadvice；letyourownexperiencedecidewhetheritisnotthebestadvicethatIcanoffer。
ResumeyourjourneytoVeniceto-morrow；andwhenyoutakeleaveofAgnes，speaktoherascordiallyasifnothinghadhappened。’
Henrywiselyfollowedthisadvice。Thoroughlyunderstandinghim，Agnesmadetheleave-takingfriendlyandpleasantonherside。
Whenhestoppedatthedoorforalastlookather，shehurriedlyturnedherheadsothatherfacewashiddenfromhim。Wasthatagoodsign？
LadyMontbarry，accompanyingHenrydownthestairs，said，’Yes，decidedly！
WritewhenyougettoVenice。WeshallwaitheretoreceivelettersfromArthurandhiswife，andweshalltimeourdepartureforItalyaccordingly。’
Aweekpassed，andnolettercamefromHenry。Somedayslater，atelegramwasreceivedfromhim。ItwasdespatchedfromMilan，insteadoffromVenice；anditbroughtthisstrangemessage：——’Ihaveleftthehotel。WillreturnonthearrivalofArthurandhiswife。
Address，meanwhile，AlbergoReale，Milan。’
PreferringVenicebeforeallothercitiesofEurope，andhavingarrangedtoremainthereuntilthefamilymeetingtookplace，whatunexpectedeventhadledHenrytoalterhisplans？andwhydidhestatethebarefact，withoutaddingawordofexplanation？
Letthenarrativefollowhim——andfindtheanswertothosequestionsatVenice。
CHAPTERXVII
ThePalaceHotel，appealingforencouragementmainlytoEnglishandAmericantravellers，celebratedtheopeningofitsdoors，asamatterofcourse，bythegivingofagrandbanquet，andthedeliveryofalongsuccessionofspeeches。
Delayedonhisjourney，HenryWestwickonlyreachedVeniceintimetojointheguestsovertheircoffeeandcigars。
Observingthesplendourofthereceptionrooms，andtakingnoteespeciallyoftheartfulmixtureofcomfortandluxuryinthebedchambers，hebegantosharetheoldnurse’sviewofthefuture，andtocontemplateseriouslythecomingdividendoftenpercent。
Thehotelwasbeginningwell，atallevents。Somuchinterestintheenterprisehadbeenaroused，athomeandabroad，byprofuseadvertising，thatthewholeaccommodationofthebuildinghadbeensecuredbytravellersofallnationsfortheopeningnight。