the haunted hotel(闹鬼的旅馆)-第28章
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members of Mrs。 Carbury's family； and the old servants in both houses
privileged to drink the healths of the married pair at the lower end of the
roomyou will have the list of the company at the wedding…breakfast
complete。
'The weather was perfect； and the ceremony （with music） was
beautifully performed。 As for the bride； no words can describe how
lovely she looked； or how well she went through it all。 We were very
merry at the breakfast； and the speeches went off on the whole quite well
enough。 The last speech； before the party broke up； was made by Mr。
Henry Westwick； and was the best of all。 He offered a happy suggestion； at
the end； which has produced a very unexpected change in my life here。
'As well as I remember； he concluded in these words：〃On one point；
we are all agreedwe are sorry that the parting hour is near； and we should
be glad to meet again。 Why should we not meet again？ This is the
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autumn time of the year； we are most of us leaving home for the holidays。
What do you say （if you have no engagements that will prevent it） to
joining our young married friends before the close of their tour； and
renewing the social success of this delightful breakfast by another festival
in honour of the honeymoon？ The bride and bridegroom are going to
Germany and the Tyrol； on their way to Italy。 I propose that we allow
them a month to themselves； and that we arrange to meet them afterwards
in the North of Italy say at Venice。〃
'This proposal was received with great applause； which was changed
into shouts of laughter by no less a person than my dear old nurse。 The
moment Mr。 Westwick pronounced the word 〃Venice；〃 she started up
among the servants at the lower end of the room； and called out at the top
of her voice； 〃Go to our hotel； ladies and gentlemen！ We get six per cent。
on our money already； and if you will only crowd the place and call for
the best of everything； it will be ten per cent in our pockets in no time。 Ask
Master Henry！〃
'Appealed to in this irresistible manner； Mr。 Westwick had no choice
but to explain that he was concerned as a shareholder in a new Hotel
Company at Venice； and that he had invested a small sum of money for the
nurse （not very considerately； as I think） in the speculation。 Hearing this；
the company； by way of humouring the joke； drank a new toast：Success
to the nurse's hotel； and a speedy rise in the dividend！
'When the conversation returned in due time to the more serious
question of the proposed meeting at Venice； difficulties began to present
themselves； caused of course by invitations for the autumn which many of
the guests had already accepted。 Only two members of Mrs。 Carbury's
family were at liberty to keep the proposed appointment。 On our side we
were more at leisure to do as we pleased。 Mr。 Henry Westwick decided to
go to Venice in advance of the rest； to test the accommodation of the new
hotel on the opening day。 Mrs。 Norbury and Mr。 Francis Westwick
volunteered to follow him； and； after some persuasion； Lord and Lady
Montbarry consented to a species of compromise。 His lordship could not
conveniently spare time enough for the journey to Venice； but he and Lady
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Montbarry arranged to accompany Mrs。 Norbury and Mr。 Francis
Westwick as far on their way to Italy as Paris。 Five days since； they took
their departure to meet their travelling companions in London； leaving me
here in charge of the three dear children。 They begged hard； of course； to
be taken with papa and mamma。 But it was thought better not to interrupt
the progress of their education； and not to expose them （especially the two
younger girls） to the fatigues of travelling。
'I have had a charming letter from the bride； this morning； dated
Cologne。 You cannot think how artlessly and prettily she assures me of
her happiness。 Some people； as they say in Ireland； are born to good
luckand I think Arthur Barville is one of them。
'When you next write； I hope to hear that you are in better health and
spirits； and that you continue to like your employment。 Believe me；
sincerely your friend；A。 L。'
Agnes had just closed and directed her letter； when the eldest of her
three pupils entered the room with the startling announcement that Lord
Montbarry's travelling…servant had arrived from Paris！ Alarmed by the
idea that some misfortune had happened； she ran out to meet the man in
the hall。 Her face told him how seriously he had frightened her； before
she could speak。 'There's nothing wrong； Miss；' he hastened to say。 'My
lord and my lady are enjoying themselves at Paris。 They only want you
and the young ladies to be with them。' Saying these amazing words； he
handed to Agnes a letter from Lady Montbarry。
'Dearest Agnes；' （she read）； 'I am so charmed with the delightful
change in my lifeit is six years； remember； since I last travelled on the
Continentthat I have exerted all my fascinations to persuade Lord
Montbarry to go on to Venice。 And； what is more to the purpose； I have
actually succeeded！ He has just gone to his room to write the necessary
letters of excuse in time for the post to England。 May you have as good a
husband； my dear； when your time comes！ In the mean while； the one
thing wanting now to make my happiness complete； is to have you and the
darling children with us。 Montbarry is just as miserable without them as I
amthough he doesn't confess it so freely。 You will have no difficulties
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to trouble you。 Louis will deliver these hurried lines； and will take care of
you on the journey to Paris。 Kiss the children for me a thousand times
and never mind their education for the present！ Pack up instantly； my
dear； and I will be fonder of you than ever。 Your affectionate friend；
Adela Montbarry。'
Agnes folded up the letter； and； feeling the need of composing herself；
took refuge for a few minutes in her own room。
Her first natural sensations of surprise and excitement at the prospect
of going to Venice were succeeded by impressions of a less agreeable kind。
With the recovery of her customary composure came the unwelcome
remembrance of the parting words spoken to her by Montbarry's widow：
'We shall meet againhere in England； or there in Venice where my
husband diedand meet for the last time。'
It was an odd coincidence； to say the least of it； that the march of
events should be unexpectedly taking Agnes to Venice； after those words
had been spoken！ Was the woman of the mysterious warnings and the
wild black eyes still thousands of miles away in America？ Or was the
march of events taking he
