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。