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。