the haunted hotel(闹鬼的旅馆)-第50章
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'Will his sister's winnings （with my Lord's money） prove large enough
to help him？ Eager for this result； he gives the Countess his advice how
to play。 From that disastrous moment the infection of his own adverse
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fortune spreads to his sister。 She loses again； and again loses to the last
farthing。
'The amiable and wealthy Lord offers a third loan； but the scrupulous
Countess positively refuses to take it。 On leaving the table； she presents
her brother to my Lord。 The gentlemen fall into pleasant talk。 My Lord
asks leave to pay his respects to the Countess； the next morning； at her
hotel。 The Baron hospitably invites him to breakfast。 My Lord accepts；
with a last admiring glance at the Countess which does not escape her
brother's observation； and takes his leave for the night。
'Alone with his sister； the Baron speaks out plainly。 〃Our affairs；〃 he
says； 〃are in a desperate condition； and must find a desperate remedy。 Wait
for me here； while I make inquiries about my Lord。 You have evidently
produced a strong impression on him。 If we can turn that impression into
money； no matter at what sacrifice； the thing must be done。〃
'The Countess now occupies the stage alone； and indulges in a
soliloquy which develops her character。
'It is at once a dangerous and attractive character。 Immense capacities
for good are implanted in her nature； side by side with equally remarkable
capacities for evil。 It rests with circumstances to develop either the one or
the other。 Being a person who produces a sensation wherever she goes；
this noble lady is naturally made the subject of all sorts of scandalous
reports。 To one of these reports （which falsely and abominably points to
the Baron as her lover instead of her brother） she now refers with just
indignation。 She has just expressed her desire to leave Homburg； as the
place in which the vile calumny first took its rise； when the Baron returns；
overhears her last words； and says to her； 〃Yes； leave Homburg by all
means； provided you leave it in the character of my Lord's betrothed
wife！〃
'The Countess is startled and shocked。 She protests that she does not
reciprocate my Lord's admiration for her。 She even goes the length of
refusing to see him again。 The Baron answers； 〃I must positively have
command of money。 Take your choice； between marrying my Lord's
income； in the interest of my grand discovery or leave me to sell myself
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and my title to the first rich woman of low degree who is ready to buy
me。〃
'The Countess listens in surprise and dismay。 Is it possible that the
Baron is in earnest？ He is horribly in earnest。 〃The woman who will buy
me；〃 he says； 〃is in the next room to us at this moment。 She is the
wealthy widow of a Jewish usurer。 She has the money I want to reach the
solution of the great problem。 I have only to be that woman's husband； and
to make myself master of untold millions of gold。 Take five minutes to
consider what I have said to you； and tell me on my return which of us is
to marry for the money I want； you or I。〃
'As he turns away； the Countess stops him。
'All the noblest sentiments in her nature are exalted to the highest pitch。
〃Where is the true woman；〃 she exclaims； 〃who wants time to
consummate the sacrifice of herself； when the man to whom she is
devoted demands it？ She does not want five minutes she does not want
five secondsshe holds out her hand to him； and she says； Sacrifice me on
the altar of your glory！ Take as stepping…stones on the way to your
triumph； my love； my liberty； and my life！〃
'On this grand situation the curtain falls。 Judging by my first act； Mr。
Westwick； tell me truly； and don't be afraid of turning my head： Am I not
capable of writing a good play？'
Henry paused between the First and Second Acts； reflecting； not on the
merits of the play； but on the strange resemblance which the incidents so
far presented to the incidents that had attended the disastrous marriage of
the first Lord Montbarry。
Was it possible that the Countess； in the present condition of her mind；
supposed herself to be exercising her invention when she was only
exercising her memory？
The question involved considerations too serious to be made the
subject of a hasty decision。 Reserving his opinion； Henry turned the page；
and devoted himself to the reading of the next act。 The manuscript
proceeded as follows：
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'The Second Act opens at Venice。 An interval of four months has
elapsed since the date of the scene at the gambling table。 The action now
takes place in the reception…room of one of the Venetian palaces。
'The Baron is discovered； alone； on the stage。 He reverts to the
events which have happened since the close of the First Act。 The Countess
has sacrificed herself； the mercenary marriage has taken placebut not
without obstacles； caused by difference of opinion on the question of
marriage settlements。
'Private inquiries； instituted in England； have informed the Baron that
my Lord's income is derived chiefly from what is called entailed property。
In case of accidents； he is surely bound to do something for his bride？ Let
him； for example； insure his life； for a sum proposed by the Baron； and let
him so settle the money that his widow shall have it； if he dies first。
'My Lord hesitates。 The Baron wastes no time in useless discussion。
〃Let us by all means〃 （he says） 〃consider the marriage as broken off。〃 My
Lord shifts his ground； and pleads for a smaller sum than the sum
proposed。 The Baron briefly replies； 〃I never bargain。〃 My lord is in love；
the natural result followshe gives way。
'So far； the Baron has no cause to complain。 But my Lord's turn
comes； when the marriage has been celebrated； and when the honeymoon
is over。 The Baron has joined the married pair at a palace which they have
hired in Venice。 He is still bent on solving the problem of the
〃Philosopher's Stone。〃 His laboratory is set up in the vaults beneath the
palaceso that smells from chemical experiments may not incommode the
Countess； in the higher regions of the house。 The one obstacle in the way
of his grand discovery is； as usual； the want of money。 His position at the
present time has become truly critical。 He owes debts of honour to
gentlemen in his own rank of life； which must positively be paid； and he
proposes； in his own friendly manner； to borrow the money of my Lord。
My Lord positively refuses； in the rudest terms。 The Baron applies to his
sister to exercise her conjugal in
