’IsMr。HenryWestwickalone？’
AgnesinstantlyrecognisedthevoiceoftheCountess。Shehurriedtoaseconddoor，whichcommunicatedwithoneofthebedrooms。
’Don’tlethercomenearme！’shewhisperednervously。’Goodnight，Henry！goodnight！’
IfHenrycould，byaneffortofwill，havetransportedtheCountesstotheuttermostendsoftheearth，hewouldhavemadetheeffortwithoutremorse。Asitwas，heonlyrepeated，moreirritablythanever，’Comein！’
Sheenteredtheroomslowlywithhereverlastingmanuscriptinherhand。
Herstepwasunsteady；adarkflushappearedonherface，inplaceofitscustomarypallor；hereyeswerebloodshotandwidelydilated。
InapproachingHenry，sheshowedastrangeincapabilityofcalculatingherdistances——shestruckagainstthetablenearwhichhehappenedtobesitting。Whenshespoke，herarticulationwasconfused，andherpronunciationofsomeofthelongerwordswashardlyintelligible。
Mostmenwouldhavesuspectedherofbeingundertheinfluenceofsomeintoxicatingliquor。Henrytookatruerview——hesaid，asheplacedachairforher，’Countess，Iamafraidyouhavebeenworkingtoohard：
youlookasifyouwantedrest。’
Sheputherhandtoherhead。’Myinventionhasgone，’shesaid。
’Ican’twritemyfourthact。It’sallablank——allablank！’
Henryadvisedhertowaittillthenextday。’Gotobed，’hesuggested；
andtrytosleep。’
Shewavedherhandimpatiently。’Imustfinishtheplay，’
sheanswered。’Ionlywantahintfromyou。Youmustknowsomethingaboutplays。Yourbrotherhasgotatheatre。
Youmustoftenhaveheardhimtalkaboutfourthandfifthacts——
youmusthaveseenrehearsals，andalltherestofit。’
SheabruptlythrustthemanuscriptintoHenry’shand。’Ican’treadittoyou，’shesaid；’IfeelgiddywhenIlookatmyownwriting。
Justrunyoureyeoverit，there’sagoodfellow——andgivemeahint。’
Henryglancedatthemanuscript。Hehappenedtolookatthelistofthepersonsofthedrama。AshereadthelisthestartedandturnedabruptlytotheCountess，intendingtoaskherforsomeexplanation。
Thewordsweresuspendedonhislips。Itwasbuttooplainlyuselesstospeaktoher。Herheadlaybackontherailofthechair。
Sheseemedtobehalfasleepalready。Theflushonherfacehaddeepened：shelookedlikeawomanwhowasindangerofhavingafit。
Herangthebell，anddirectedthemanwhoansweredittosendoneofthechambermaidsupstairs。HisvoiceseemedtopartiallyrousetheCountess；sheopenedhereyesinaslowdrowsyway。
’Haveyoureadit？’sheasked。
Itwasnecessaryasamereactofhumanitytohumourher。
’Iwillreaditwillingly，’saidHenry，’ifyouwillgoupstairstobed。YoushallhearwhatIthinkofitto-morrowmorning。
Ourheadswillbeclearer，weshallbebetterabletomakethefourthactinthemorning。’
Thechambermaidcameinwhilehewasspeaking。’Iamafraidtheladyisill，’Henrywhispered。’Takeheruptoherroom。’
ThewomanlookedattheCountessandwhisperedback，’Shallwesendforadoctor，sir？’
Henryadvisedtakingherupstairsfirst，andthenaskingthemanager’sopinion。Therewasgreatdifficultyinpersuadinghertorise，andacceptthesupportofthechambermaid’sarm。
Itwasonlybyreiteratedpromisestoreadtheplaythatnight，andtomakethefourthactinthemorning，thatHenryprevailedontheCountesstoreturntoherroom。
Lefttohimself，hebegantofeelacertainlanguidcuriosityinrelationtothemanuscript。Helookedoverthepages，readingalinehereandalinethere。Suddenlyhechangedcolourasheread——
andlookedupfromthemanuscriptlikeamanbewildered。
’GoodGod！whatdoesthismean？’hesaidtohimself。
HiseyesturnednervouslytothedoorbywhichAgneshadlefthim。
Shemightreturntothedrawing-room，shemightwanttoseewhattheCountesshadwritten。Helookedbackagainatthepassagewhichhadstartledhim——consideredwithhimselfforamoment——
and，snatchinguptheunfinishedplay，suddenlyandsoftlylefttheroom。
CHAPTERXXVI
Enteringhisownroomontheupperfloor，Henryplacedthemanuscriptonhistable，openatthefirstleaf。Hisnerveswereunquestionablyshaken；hishandtrembledasheturnedthepages，hestartedatchancenoisesonthestaircaseofthehotel。
Thescenario，oroutline，oftheCountess’splaybeganwithnoformalprefatoryphrases。Shepresentedherselfandherworkwiththeeasyfamiliarityofanoldfriend。
’Allowme，dearMr。FrancisWestwick，tointroducetoyouthepersonsinmyproposedPlay。Beholdthem，arrangedsymmetricallyinaline。
’MyLord。TheBaron。TheCourier。TheDoctor。TheCountess。
’Idon’ttroublemyself，yousee，toinvestfictitiousfamilynames。
Mycharactersaresufficientlydistinguishedbytheirsocialtitles，andbythestrikingcontrastwhichtheypresentonewithanother。
TheFirstActopens——
’No！BeforeIopentheFirstAct，Imustannounce，injusticetomyself，thatthisPlayisentirelytheworkofmyowninvention。Iscorntoborrowfromactualevents；and，whatismoreextraordinarystill，IhavenotstolenoneofmyideasfromtheModernFrenchdrama。
AsthemanagerofanEnglishtheatre，youwillnaturallyrefusetobelievethis。Itdoesn’tmatter。Nothingmatters——excepttheopeningofmyfirstact。
’WeareatHomburg，inthefamousSalond’Or，attheheightoftheseason。
TheCountess（exquisitelydressed）isseatedatthegreentable。
Strangersofallnationsarestandingbehindtheplayers，venturingtheirmoneyoronlylookingon。MyLordisamongthestrangers。
HeisstruckbytheCountess’spersonalappearance，inwhichbeautiesanddefectsarefantasticallymingledinthemostattractivemanner。
HewatchestheCountess’sgame，andplaceshismoneywhereheseesherdepositherownlittlestake。Shelooksroundathim，andsays，"Don’ttrusttomycolour；Ihavebeenunluckythewholeevening。
Placeyourstakeontheothercolour，andyoumayhaveachanceofwinning。"MyLord（atrueEnglishman）blushes，bows，andobeys。
TheCountessprovestobeaprophet。Shelosesagain。MyLordwinstwicethesumthathehasrisked。
’TheCountessrisesfromthetable。Shehasnomoremoney，andsheoffersmyLordherchair。
’Insteadoftakingit，hepolitelyplaceshiswinningsinherhand，andbegshertoaccepttheloanasafavourtohimself。
TheCountessstakesagain，andlosesagain。MyLordsmilessuperbly，andpressesasecondloanonher。Fromthatmomentherluckturns。
Shewins，andwinslargely。Herbrother，theBaron，tryinghisfortuneinanotherroom，hearsofwhatisgoingon，andjoinsmyLordandtheCountess。
’Payattention，ifyouplease，totheBaron。Heisdelineatedasaremarkableandinterestingcharacter。
’Thisnoblepersonhasbegunlifewithasingle-mindeddevotiontothescienceofexperimentalchemistry，verysurprisinginayoungandhandsomemanwithabrilliantfuturebeforehim。AprofoundknowledgeoftheoccultscienceshaspersuadedtheBaronthatitispossibletosolvethefamousproblemcalledthe"Philosopher’sStone。"
Hisownpecuniaryresourceshavelongsincebeenexhaustedbyhiscostlyexperiments。Hissisterhasnextsuppliedhimwiththesmallfortuneatherdisposal：reservingonlythefamilyjewels，placedinthechargeofherbankerandfriendatFrankfort。
TheCountess’sfortunealsobeingswallowedup，theBaronhasinafatalmomentsoughtfornewsuppliesatthegamingtable。
Heproves，atstartingonhisperilouscareer，tobeafavouriteoffortune；winslargely，and，alas！profaneshisnobleenthusiasmforsciencebyyieldinghissoultotheall-debasingpassionofthegamester。
’AttheperiodofthePlay，theBaron’sgoodfortunehasdesertedhim。
Heseeshiswaytoacrowningexperimentinthefatalsearchafterthesecretoftransmutingthebaserelementsintogold。
Buthowishetopaythepreliminaryexpenses？Destiny，likeamockingecho，answers，How？
’Willhissister’swinnings（withmyLord’smoney）provelargeenoughtohelphim？Eagerforthisresult，hegivestheCountesshisadvicehowtoplay。Fromthatdisastrousmomenttheinfectionofhisownadversefortunespreadstohissister。Shelosesagain，andagain——
losestothelastfarthing。
’TheamiableandwealthyLordoffersathirdloan；
butthescrupulousCountesspositivelyrefusestotakeit。
Onleavingthetable，shepresentsherbrothertomyLord。
Thegentlemenfallintopleasanttalk。MyLordasksleavetopayhisrespectstotheCountess，thenextmorning，atherhotel。
TheBaronhospitablyinviteshimtobreakfast。MyLordaccepts，withalastadmiringglanceattheCountesswhichdoesnotescapeherbrother’sobservation，andtakeshisleaveforthenight。
’Alonewithhissister，theBaronspeaksoutplainly。"Ouraffairs，"
hesays，"areinadesperatecondition，andmustfindadesperateremedy。
Waitformehere，whileImakeinquiriesaboutmyLord。
Youhaveevidentlyproducedastrongimpressiononhim。Ifwecanturnthatimpressionintomoney，nomatteratwhatsacrifice，thethingmustbedone。"
’TheCountessnowoccupiesthestagealone，andindulgesinasoliloquywhichdevelopshercharacter。
’Itisatonceadangerousandattractivecharacter。
Immensecapacitiesforgoodareimplantedinhernature，sidebysidewithequallyremarkablecapacitiesforevil。
Itrestswithcircumstancestodevelopeithertheoneortheother。
Beingapersonwhoproducesasensationwherevershegoes，thisnobleladyisnaturallymadethesubjectofallsortsofscandalousreports。
Tooneofthesereports（whichfalselyandabominablypointstotheBaronasherloverinsteadofherbrother）shenowreferswithjustindignation。
ShehasjustexpressedherdesiretoleaveHomburg，astheplaceinwhichthevilecalumnyfirsttookitsrise，whentheBaronreturns，overhearsherlastwords，andsaystoher，"Yes，leaveHomburgbyallmeans；providedyouleaveitinthecharacterofmyLord’sbetrothedwife！"
’TheCountessisstartledandshocked。SheproteststhatshedoesnotreciprocatemyLord’sadmirationforher。Sheevengoesthelengthofrefusingtoseehimagain。TheBaronanswers，"Imustpositivelyhavecommandofmoney。Takeyourchoice，betweenmarryingmyLord’sincome，intheinterestofmygranddiscovery——
orleavemetosellmyselfandmytitletothefirstrichwomanoflowdegreewhoisreadytobuyme。"
’TheCountesslistensinsurpriseanddismay。IsitpossiblethattheBaronisinearnest？Heishorriblyinearnest。
"Thewomanwhowillbuyme，"hesays，"isinthenextroomtousatthismoment。SheisthewealthywidowofaJewishusurer。
ShehasthemoneyIwanttoreachthesolutionofthegreatproblem。
Ihaveonlytobethatwoman’shusband，andtomakemyselfmasterofuntoldmillionsofgold。TakefiveminutestoconsiderwhatIhavesaidtoyou，andtellmeonmyreturnwhichofusistomarryforthemoneyIwant，youorI。"
’Asheturnsaway，theCountessstopshim。
’Allthenoblestsentimentsinhernatureareexaltedtothehighestpitch。"Whereisthetruewoman，"sheexclaims，"whowantstimetoconsummatethesacrificeofherself，whenthemantowhomsheisdevoteddemandsit？Shedoesnotwantfiveminutes——
shedoesnotwantfiveseconds——sheholdsoutherhandtohim，andshesays，Sacrificemeonthealtarofyourglory！Takeasstepping-stonesonthewaytoyourtriumph，mylove，myliberty，andmylife！"
’Onthisgrandsituationthecurtainfalls。Judgingbymyfirstact，Mr。Westwick，tellmetruly，anddon’tbeafraidofturningmyhead：——
AmInotcapableofwritingagoodplay？’
HenrypausedbetweentheFirstandSecondActs；reflecting，notonthemeritsoftheplay，butonthestrangeresemblancewhichtheincidentssofarpresentedtotheincidentsthathadattendedthedisastrousmarriageofthefirstLordMontbarry。
WasitpossiblethattheCountess，inthepresentconditionofhermind，supposedherselftobeexercisingherinventionwhenshewasonlyexercisinghermemory？
Thequestioninvolvedconsiderationstooserioustobemadethesubjectofahastydecision。Reservinghisopinion，Henryturnedthepage，anddevotedhimselftothereadingofthenextact。
Themanuscriptproceededasfollows：——
’TheSecondActopensatVenice。Anintervaloffourmonthshaselapsedsincethedateofthesceneatthegamblingtable。
Theactionnowtakesplaceinthereception-roomofoneoftheVenetianpalaces。
’TheBaronisdiscovered，alone，onthestage。HerevertstotheeventswhichhavehappenedsincethecloseoftheFirstAct。
TheCountesshassacrificedherself；themercenarymarriagehastakenplace——butnotwithoutobstacles，causedbydifferenceofopiniononthequestionofmarriagesettlements。
’Privateinquiries，institutedinEngland，haveinformedtheBaronthatmyLord’sincomeisderivedchieflyfromwhatiscalledentailedproperty。
Incaseofaccidents，heissurelyboundtodosomethingforhisbride？
Lethim，forexample，insurehislife，forasumproposedbytheBaron，andlethimsosettlethemoneythathiswidowshallhaveit，ifhediesfirst。
’MyLordhesitates。TheBaronwastesnotimeinuselessdiscussion。
"Letusbyallmeans"（hesays）"considerthemarriageasbrokenoff。"
MyLordshiftshisground，andpleadsforasmallersumthanthesumproposed。TheBaronbrieflyreplies，"Ineverbargain。"
Mylordisinlove；thenaturalresultfollows——hegivesway。
’Sofar，theBaronhasnocausetocomplain。ButmyLord’sturncomes，whenthemarriagehasbeencelebrated，andwhenthehoneymoonisover。
TheBaronhasjoinedthemarriedpairatapalacewhichtheyhavehiredinVenice。Heisstillbentonsolvingtheproblemofthe"Philosopher’sStone。"Hislaboratoryissetupinthevaultsbeneaththepalace——sothatsmellsfromchemicalexperimentsmaynotincommodetheCountess，inthehigherregionsofthehouse。
Theoneobstacleinthewayofhisgranddiscoveryis，asusual，thewantofmoney。Hispositionatthepresenttimehasbecometrulycritical。Heowesdebtsofhonourtogentlemeninhisownrankoflife，whichmustpositivelybepaid；andheproposes，inhisownfriendlymanner，toborrowthemoneyofmyLord。
MyLordpositivelyrefuses，intherudestterms。TheBaronappliestohissistertoexerciseherconjugalinfluence。Shecanonlyanswerthathernoblehusband（beingnolongerdistractedlyinlovewithher）
nowappearsinhistruecharacter，asoneofthemeanestmenliving。
Thesacrificeofthemarriagehasbeenmade，andhasalreadyproveduseless。
’SuchisthestateofaffairsattheopeningoftheSecondAct。
’TheentranceoftheCountesssuddenlydisturbstheBaron’sreflections。
Sheisinastateborderingonfrenzy。Incoherentexpressionsofrageburstfromherlips：itissometimebeforeshecansufficientlycontrolherselftospeakplainly。Shehasbeendoublyinsulted——
first，byamenialpersoninheremployment；secondly，byherhusband。
Hermaid，anEnglishwoman，hasdeclaredthatshewillservetheCountessnolonger。Shewillgiveupherwages，andreturnatoncetoEngland。Beingaskedherreasonforthisstrangeproceeding，sheinsolentlyhintsthattheCountess’sserviceisnoserviceforanhonestwoman，sincetheBaronhasenteredthehouse。
TheCountessdoes，whatanyladyinherpositionwoulddo；
sheindignantlydismissesthewretchonthespot。
’MyLord，hearinghiswife’svoiceraisedinanger，leavesthestudyinwhichheisaccustomedtoshuthimselfupoverhisbooks，andaskswhatthisdisturbancemeans。TheCountessinformshimoftheoutrageouslanguageandconductofhermaid。
MyLordnotonlydeclareshisentireapprovalofthewoman’sconduct，butexpresseshisownabominabledoubtsofhiswife’sfidelityinlanguageofsuchhorriblebrutalitythatnoladycouldpolluteherlipsbyrepeatingit。"IfIhadbeenaman，"theCountesssays，"andifIhadhadaweaponinmyhand，Iwouldhavestruckhimdeadatmyfeet！"
’TheBaron，listeningsilentlysofar，nowspeaks。"Permitmetofinishthesentenceforyou，"hesays。"Youwouldhavestruckyourhusbanddeadatyourfeet；andbythatrashact，youwouldhavedeprivedyourselfoftheinsurancemoneysettledonthewidow——
theverymoneywhichiswantedtorelieveyourbrotherfromtheunendurablepecuniarypositionwhichhenowoccupies！"
’TheCountessgravelyremindstheBaronthatthisisnojokingmatter。
AfterwhatmyLordhassaidtoher，shehaslittledoubtthathewillcommunicatehisinfamoussuspicionstohislawyersinEngland。
Ifnothingisdonetopreventit，shemaybedivorcedanddisgraced，andthrownontheworld，withnoresourcebutthesaleofherjewelstokeepherfromstarving。
’Atthismoment，theCourierwhohasbeenengagedtotravelwithmyLordfromEnglandcrossesthestagewithalettertotaketothepost。
TheCountessstopshim，andaskstolookattheaddressontheletter。
Shetakesitfromhimforamoment，andshowsittoherbrother。
ThehandwritingismyLord’s；andtheletterisdirectedtohislawyersinLondon。
’TheCourierproceedstothepost-office。TheBaronandtheCountesslookateachotherinsilence。Nowordsareneeded。
Theythoroughlyunderstandthepositioninwhichtheyareplaced；
theyclearlyseetheterribleremedyforit。Whatistheplainalternativebeforethem？Disgraceandruin——or，myLord’sdeathandtheinsurancemoney！
’TheBaronwalksbackwardsandforwardsingreatagitation，talkingtohimself。TheCountesshearsfragmentsofwhatheissaying。
HespeaksofmyLord’sconstitution，probablyweakenedinIndia——
ofacoldwhichmyLordhascaughttwoorthreedayssince——
oftheremarkablemannerinwhichsuchslightthingsascoldssometimesendinseriousillnessanddeath。
’HeobservesthattheCountessislisteningtohim，andasksifshehasanythingtopropose。Sheisawomanwho，withmanydefects，hasthegreatmeritofspeakingout。"Istherenosuchthingasaseriousillness，"sheasks，"corkedupinoneofthosebottlesofyoursinthevaultsdownstairs？"
’TheBaronanswersbygravelyshakinghishead。Whatisheafraidof？——
apossibleexaminationofthebodyafterdeath？No：hecansetanypost-mortemexaminationatdefiance。Itistheprocessofadministeringthepoisonthathedreads。AmansodistinguishedasmyLordcannotbetakenseriouslyillwithoutmedicalattendance。
WherethereisaDoctor，thereisalwaysdangerofdiscovery。
Then，again，thereistheCourier，faithfultomyLordaslongasmyLordpayshim。EveniftheDoctorseesnothingsuspicious，theCouriermaydiscoversomething。Thepoison，todoitsworkwiththenecessarysecrecy，mustberepeatedlyadministeredingraduateddoses。
Onetriflingmiscalculationormistakemayrousesuspicion。
Theinsuranceofficesmayhearofit，andmayrefusetopaythemoney。
Asthingsare，theBaronwillnotriskit，andwillnotallowhissistertoriskitinhisplace。
’MyLordhimselfisthenextcharacterwhoappears。HehasrepeatedlyrungfortheCourier，andthebellhasnotbeenanswered。
"Whatdoesthisinsolencemean？"
’TheCountess（speakingwithquietdignity——forwhyshouldherinfamoushusbandhavethesatisfactionofknowinghowdeeplyhehaswoundedher？）remindsmyLordthattheCourierhasgonetothepost。
MyLordaskssuspiciouslyifshehaslookedattheletter。
TheCountessinformshimcoldlythatshehasnocuriosityabouthisletters。Referringtothecoldfromwhichheissuffering，sheinquiresifhethinksofconsultingamedicalman。
MyLordanswersroughlythatheisquiteoldenoughtobecapableofdoctoringhimself。
’Ashemakesthisreply，theCourierappears，returningfromthepost。
MyLordgiveshimorderstogooutagainandbuysomelemons。
Heproposestotryhotlemonadeasameansofinducingperspirationinbed。Inthatwayhehasformerlycuredcolds，andinthatwayhewillcurethecoldfromwhichheissufferingnow。
’TheCourierobeysinsilence。Judgingbyappearances，hegoesveryreluctantlyonthisseconderrand。
’MyLordturnstotheBaron（whohasthusfartakennopartintheconversation）andaskshim，inasneeringtone，howmuchlongerheproposestoprolonghisstayinVenice。TheBaronanswersquietly，"Letusspeakplainlytooneanother，myLord。
Ifyouwishmetoleaveyourhouse，youhaveonlytosaytheword，andIgo。"MyLordturnstohiswife，andasksifshecansupportthecalamityofherbrother’sabsence——layingagrosslyinsultingemphasisontheword"brother。"TheCountesspreservesherimpenetrablecomposure；nothinginherbetraysthedeadlyhatredwithwhichsheregardsthetitledruffianwhohasinsultedher。
"Youaremasterinthishouse，myLord，"isallshesays。"Doasyouplease。"
’MyLordlooksathiswife；looksattheBaron——andsuddenlyaltershistone。DoesheperceiveinthecomposureoftheCountessandherbrothersomethinglurkingunderthesurfacethatthreatenshim？
Thisisatleastcertain，hemakesaclumsyapologyforthelanguagethathehasused。（Abjectwretch！）
’MyLord’sexcusesareinterruptedbythereturnoftheCourierwiththelemonsandhotwater。
’TheCountessobservesforthefirsttimethatthemanlooksill。
Hishandstrembleasheplacesthetrayonthetable。MyLordordershisCouriertofollowhim，andmakethelemonadeinthebedroom。
TheCountessremarksthattheCourierseemshardlycapableofobeyinghisorders。Hearingthis，themanadmitsthatheisill。He，too，issufferingfromacold；hehasbeenkeptwaitinginadraughtattheshopwhereheboughtthelemons；hefeelsalternatelyhotandcold，andhebegspermissiontoliedownforalittlewhileonhisbed。
’Feelingherhumanityappealedto，theCountessvolunteerstomakethelemonadeherself。MyLordtakestheCourierbythearm，leadshimaside，andwhispersthesewordstohim：
"Watchher，andseethatsheputsnothingintothelemonade；
thenbringittomewithyourownhands；and，then，gotobed，ifyoulike。"
’Withoutawordmoretohiswife，ortotheBaron，myLordleavestheroom。
’TheCountessmakesthelemonade，andtheCouriertakesittohismaster。
’Returning，onthewaytohisownroom，heissoweak，andfeels，hesays，sogiddy，thatheisobligedtosupporthimselfbythebacksofthechairsashepassesthem。TheBaron，alwaysconsideratetopersonsoflowdegree，offershisarm。
"Iamafraid，mypoorfellow，"hesays，"thatyouarereallyill。"
TheCouriermakesthisextraordinaryanswer："It’salloverwithme，Sir：
Ihavecaughtmydeath。"
’TheCountessisnaturallystartled。"Youarenotanoldman，"
shesays，tryingtorousetheCourier’sspirits。"Atyourage，catchingcolddoesn’tsurelymeancatchingyourdeath？"TheCourierfixeshiseyesdespairinglyontheCountess。
"Mylungsareweak，myLady，"hesays；"Ihavealreadyhadtwoattacksofbronchitis。Thesecondtime，agreatphysicianjoinedmyowndoctorinattendanceonme。Heconsideredmyrecoveryalmostinthelightofamiracle。Takecareofyourself，"hesaid。"Ifyouhaveathirdattackofbronchitis，ascertainlyastwoandtwomakefour，youwillbeadeadman。Ifeelthesameinwardshivering，myLady，thatIfeltonthosetwoformeroccasions——andItellyouagain，IhavecaughtmydeathinVenice。"
’Speakingsomecomfortingwords，theBaronleadshimtohisroom。
TheCountessisleftaloneonthestage。
’Sheseatsherself，andlookstowardsthedoorbywhichtheCourierhasbeenledout。"Ah！mypoorfellow，"shesays，"ifyoucouldonlychangeconstitutionswithmyLord，whatahappyresultwouldfollowfortheBaronandforme！Ifyoucouldonlygetcuredofatrumperycoldwithalittlehotlemonade，andifhecouldonlycatchhisdeathinyourplace——！"
’Shesuddenlypauses——considersforawhile——andspringstoherfeet，withacryoftriumphantsurprise：thewonderful，theunparalleledideahascrossedhermindlikeaflashoflightning。
Makethetwomenchangenamesandplaces——andthedeedisdone！
Wherearetheobstacles？RemovemyLord（byfairmeansorfoul）
fromhisroom；andkeephimsecretlyprisonerinthepalace，toliveordieasfuturenecessitymaydetermine。PlacetheCourierinthevacantbed，andcallinthedoctortoseehim——ill，inmyLord’scharacter，and（ifhedies）dyingundermyLord’sname！’
ThemanuscriptdroppedfromHenry’shands。Asickeningsenseofhorroroverpoweredhim。ThequestionwhichhadoccurredtohismindatthecloseoftheFirstActofthePlayassumedanewandterribleinterestnow。AsfarasthesceneoftheCountess’ssoliloquy，theincidentsoftheSecondActhadreflectedtheeventsofhislatebrother’slifeasfaithfullyastheincidentsoftheFirstAct。
Wasthemonstrousplot，revealedinthelineswhichhehadjustread，theoffspringoftheCountess’smorbidimagination？orhadshe，inthiscasealso，deludedherselfwiththeideathatshewasinventingwhenshewasreallywritingundertheinfluenceofherownguiltyremembrancesofthepast？Ifthelatterinterpretationwerethetrueone，hehadjustreadthenarrativeofthecontemplatedmurderofhisbrother，plannedincoldbloodbyawomanwhowasatthatmomentinhabitingthesamehousewithhim。While，tomakethefatalitycomplete，Agnesherselfhadinnocentlyprovidedtheconspiratorswiththeonemanwhowasfittedtobethepassiveagentoftheircrime。
Eventhebaredoubtthatitmightbesowasmorethanhecouldendure。
Helefthisroom；resolvedtoforcethetruthoutoftheCountess，ortodenounceherbeforetheauthoritiesasamurderessatlarge。
Arrivedatherdoor，hewasmetbyapersonjustleavingtheroom。
Thepersonwasthemanager。Hewashardlyrecognisable；helookedandspokelikeamaninastateofdesperation。
’Oh，goin，ifyoulike！’hesaidtoHenry。’Markthis，sir！
Iamnotasuperstitiousman；butIdobegintobelievethatcrimescarrytheirowncursewiththem。Thishotelisunderacurse。
Whathappensinthemorning？Wediscoveracrimecommittedintheolddaysofthepalace。Thenightcomes，andbringsanotherdreadfuleventwithit——adeath；asuddenandshockingdeath，inthehouse。
Goin，andseeforyourself！Ishallresignmysituation，Mr。Westwick：Ican’tcontendwiththefatalitiesthatpursuemehere！’
Henryenteredtheroom。
TheCountesswasstretchedonherbed。Thedoctorononeside，andthechambermaidontheother，werestandinglookingather。
Fromtimetotime，shedrewaheavystertorousbreath，likeapersonoppressedinsleeping。’Isshelikelytodie？’
Henryasked。
’Sheisdead，’thedoctoranswered。’Deadoftheruptureofablood-vesselonthebrain。Thosesoundsthatyouheararepurelymechanical——
theymaygoonforhours。’
Henrylookedatthechambermaid。Shehadlittletotell。
TheCountesshadrefusedtogotobed，andhadplacedherselfatherdesktoproceedwithherwriting。Findingituselesstoremonstratewithher，themaidhadlefttheroomtospeaktothemanager。
Intheshortestpossibletime，thedoctorwassummonedtothehotel，andfoundtheCountessdeadonthefloor。Therewasthistotell——
andnomore。
Lookingatthewriting-tableashewentout，HenrysawthesheetofpaperonwhichtheCountesshadtracedherlastlinesofwriting。
Thecharacterswerealmostillegible。Henrycouldjustdistinguishthewords，’FirstAct，’and’PersonsoftheDrama。’ThelostwretchhadbeenthinkingofherPlaytothelast，andhadbegunitalloveragain！
CHAPTERXXVII
Henryreturnedtohisroom。
Hisfirstimpulsewastothrowasidethemanuscript，andnevertolookatitagain。Theonechanceofrelievinghismindfromthedreadfuluncertaintythatoppressedit，byobtainingpositiveevidenceofthetruth，wasachanceannihilatedbytheCountess’sdeath。
Whatgoodpurposecouldbeserved，whatreliefcouldheanticipate，ifhereadmore？
Hewalkedupanddowntheroom。Afteraninterval，histhoughtstookanewdirection；thequestionofthemanuscriptpresenteditselfunderanotherpointofview。Thusfar，hisreadinghadonlyinformedhimthattheconspiracyhadbeenplanned。
Howdidheknowthattheplanhadbeenputinexecution？
Themanuscriptlayjustbeforehimonthefloor。Hehesitated；
thenpickeditup；and，returningtothetable，readonasfollows，fromthepointatwhichhehadleftoff。
’WhiletheCountessisstillabsorbedintheboldyetsimplecombinationofcircumstanceswhichshehasdiscovered，theBaronreturns。
HetakesaseriousviewofthecaseoftheCourier；itmaybenecessary，hethinks，tosendformedicaladvice。Noservantisleftinthepalace，nowtheEnglishmaidhastakenherdeparture。TheBaronhimselfmustfetchthedoctor，ifthedoctorisreallyneeded。
’"Letushavemedicalhelp，byallmeans，"hissisterreplies。
"ButwaitandhearsomethingthatIhavetosaytoyoufirst。"
ShethenelectrifiestheBaronbycommunicatingherideatohim。Whatdangerofdiscoveryhavetheytodread？
MyLord’slifeinVenicehasbeenalifeofabsoluteseclusion：
nobodybuthisbankerknowshim，evenbypersonalappearance。
Hehaspresentedhisletterofcreditasaperfectstranger；
andheandhisbankerhaveneverseeneachothersincethatfirstvisit。Hehasgivennoparties，andgonetonoparties。
Onthefewoccasionswhenhehashiredagondolaortakenawalk，hehasalwaysbeenalone。Thankstotheatrocioussuspicionwhichmakeshimashamedofbeingseenwithhiswife，hehasledtheverylifewhichmakestheproposedenterpriseeasyofaccomplishment。
’ThecautiousBaronlistens——butgivesnopositiveopinion，asyet。
"SeewhatyoucandowiththeCourier，"hesays；"andIwilldecidewhenIheartheresult。OnevaluablehintImaygiveyoubeforeyougo。
Yourmaniseasilytemptedbymoney——ifyouonlyofferhimenough。
Theotherday，Iaskedhim，injest，whathewoulddoforathousandpounds。Heanswered，’Anything。’Bearthatinmind；andofferyourhighestbidwithoutbargaining。"
’ThescenechangestotheCourier’sroom，andshowsthepoorwretchwithaphotographicportraitofhiswifeinhishand，crying。
TheCountessenters。
’Shewiselybeginsbysympathisingwithhercontemplatedaccomplice。
Heisdulygrateful；heconfideshissorrowstohisgraciousmistress。
Nowthathebelieveshimselftobeonhisdeath-bed，hefeelsremorseforhisneglectfultreatmentofhiswife。Hecouldresignhimselftodie；
butdespairoverpowershimwhenheremembersthathehassavednomoney，andthathewillleavehiswidow，withoutresources，tothemercyoftheworld。
’Onthishint，theCountessspeaks。"Supposeyouwereaskedtodoaperfectlyeasything，"shesays；"andsupposeyouwererewardedfordoingitbyapresentofathousandpounds，asalegacyforyourwidow？"
’TheCourierraiseshimselfonhispillow，andlooksattheCountesswithanexpressionofincreduloussurprise。Shecanhardlybecruelenough（hethinks）tojokewithamaninhismiserableplight。
Willshesayplainlywhatthisperfectlyeasythingis，thedoingofwhichwillmeetwithsuchamagnificentreward？
’TheCountessanswersthatquestionbyconfidingherprojecttotheCourier，withouttheslightestreserve。
’Someminutesofsilencefollowwhenshehasdone。TheCourierisnotweakenoughyettospeakwithoutstoppingtothinkfirst。
StillkeepinghiseyesontheCountess，hemakesaquaintlyinsolentremarkonwhathehasjustheard。"Ihavenothithertobeenareligiousman；butIfeelmyselfonthewaytoit。
Sinceyourladyshiphasspokentome，IbelieveintheDevil。"
ItistheCountess’sinteresttoseethehumoroussideofthisconfessionoffaith。Shetakesnooffence。Sheonlysays，"Iwillgiveyouhalfanhourbyyourself，tothinkovermyproposal。
Youareindangerofdeath。Decide，inyourwife’sinterests，whetheryouwilldieworthnothing，ordieworthathousandpounds。"
’Leftalone，theCourierseriouslyconsidershisposition——
anddecides。Heriseswithdifficulty；writesafewlinesonaleaftakenfromhispocket-book；and，withslowandfalteringsteps，leavestheroom。
’TheCountess，returningattheexpirationofthehalf-hour’sinterval，findstheroomempty。Whilesheiswondering，theCourieropensthedoor。Whathashebeendoingoutofhisbed？Heanswers，"Ihavebeenprotectingmyownlife，mylady，onthebarechancethatImayrecoverfromthebronchitisforthethirdtime。
IfyouortheBaronattemptstohurrymeoutofthisworld，ortodeprivemeofmythousandpoundsreward，Ishalltellthedoctorwherehewillfindafewlinesofwriting，whichdescribeyourladyship’splot。Imaynothavestrengthenough，inthecasesupposed，tobetrayyoubymakingacompleteconfessionwithmyownlips；
butIcanemploymylastbreathtospeakthehalf-dozenwordswhichwilltellthedoctorwhereheistolook。Thosewords，itisneedlesstoadd，willbeaddressedtoyourLadyship，ifIfindyourengagementstowardsmefaithfullykept。"
’Withthisaudaciouspreface，heproceedstostatetheconditionsonwhichhewillplayhispartintheconspiracy，anddie（ifhedoesdie）
worthathousandpounds。
’EithertheCountessortheBaronaretotastethefoodanddrinkbroughttohisbedside，inhispresence，andeventhemedicineswhichthedoctormayprescribeforhim。Asforthepromisedsumofmoney，itistobeproducedinonebank-note，foldedinasheetofpaper，onwhichalineistobewritten，dictatedbytheCourier。
Thetwoenclosuresarethentobesealedupinanenvelope，addressedtohiswife，andstampedreadyforthepost。Thisdone，theletteristobeplacedunderhispillow；theBaronortheCountessbeingatlibertytosatisfythemselves，daybyday，attheirowntime，thattheletterremainsinitsplace，withthesealunbroken，aslongasthedoctorhasanyhopeofhispatient’srecovery。
Thelaststipulationfollows。TheCourierhasaconscience；andwithaviewtokeepingiteasy，insiststhatheshallbeleftinignoranceofthatpartoftheplotwhichrelatestothesequestrationofmyLord。
Notthathecaresparticularlywhatbecomesofhismiserlymaster——
buthedoesdisliketakingotherpeople’sresponsibilitiesonhisownshoulders。
’Theseconditionsbeingagreedto，theCountesscallsintheBaron，whohasbeenwaitingeventsinthenextroom。
’HeisinformedthattheCourierhasyieldedtotemptation；
butheisstilltoocautioustomakeanycompromisingremarks。
Keepinghisbackturnedonthebed，heshowsabottletotheCountess。
Itislabelled"Chloroform。"SheunderstandsthatmyLordistoberemovedfromhisroominaconvenientstateofinsensibility。
Inwhatpartofthepalaceishetobehidden？Astheyopenthedoortogoout，theCountesswhispersthatquestiontotheBaron。TheBaronwhispersback，"Inthevaults！"
Thecurtainfalls。’
CHAPTERXXVIII
SotheSecondActended。
TurningtotheThirdAct，Henrylookedwearilyatthepagesasheletthemslipthroughhisfingers。Bothinmindandbody，hebegantofeeltheneedofrepose。
Inoneimportantrespect，thelaterportionofthemanuscriptdifferedfromthepageswhichhehadjustbeenreading。
Signsofanoverwroughtbrainshowedthemselves，hereandthere，astheoutlineoftheplayapproacheditsend。Thehandwritinggrewworseandworse。Someofthelongersentenceswereleftunfinished。
Intheexchangeofdialogue，questionsandanswerswerenotalwaysattributedrespectivelytotherightspeaker。Atcertainintervalsthewriter’sfailingintelligenceseemedtorecoveritselfforawhile；
onlytorelapseagain，andtolosethethreadofthenarrativemorehopelesslythanever。
AfterreadingoneortwoofthemorecoherentpassagesHenryrecoiledfromtheever-darkeninghorrorofthestory。Heclosedthemanuscript，heartsickandexhausted，andthrewhimselfonhisbedtorest。
Thedooropenedalmostatthesamemoment。LordMontbarryenteredtheroom。
’WehavejustreturnedfromtheOpera，’hesaid；’andwehaveheardthenewsofthatmiserablewoman’sdeath。Theysayyouspoketoherinherlastmoments；andIwanttohearhowithappened。’
’Youshallhearhowithappened，’Henryanswered；’andmorethanthat。
Youarenowtheheadofthefamily，Stephen；andIfeelbound，inthepositionwhichoppressesme，toleaveyoutodecidewhatoughttobedone。’
Withthoseintroductorywords，hetoldhisbrotherhowtheCountess’splayhadcomeintohishands。’Readthefirstfewpages，’hesaid。
’Iamanxioustoknowwhetherthesameimpressionisproducedonbothofus。’
BeforeLordMontbarryhadgothalf-waythroughtheFirstAct，hestopped，andlookedathisbrother。’Whatdoesshemeanbyboastingofthisasherowninvention？’heasked。’Wasshetoocrazytorememberthatthesethingsreallyhappened？’
ThiswasenoughforHenry：thesameimpressionhadbeenproducedonbothofthem。’Youwilldoasyouplease，’hesaid。
’Butifyouwillbeguidedbyme，spareyourselfthereadingofthosepagestocome，whichdescribeourbrother’sterribleexpiationofhisheartlessmarriage。’
’Haveyoureaditall，Henry？’
’Notall。Ishrankfromreadingsomeofthelatterpartofit。
NeitheryounorIsawmuchofourelderbrotherafterweleftschool；
and，formypart，Ifelt，andneverscrupledtoexpressmyfeeling，thathebehavedinfamouslytoAgnes。ButwhenIreadthatunconsciousconfessionofthemurderousconspiracytowhichhefellavictim，Iremembered，withsomethinglikeremorse，thatthesamemotherboreus。
Ihavefeltforhimto-night，whatIamashamedtothinkIneverfeltforhimbefore。’
LordMontbarrytookhisbrother’shand。
’Youareagoodfellow，Henry，’hesaid；’butareyouquitesurethatyouhavenotbeenneedlesslydistressingyourself？
Becausesomeofthiscrazycreature’swritingaccidentallytellswhatweknowtobethetruth，doesitfollowthatalltherestistobereliedontotheend？’
’Thereisnopossibledoubtofit，’Henryreplied。
’Nopossibledoubt？’hisbrotherrepeated。’Ishallgoonwithmyreading，Henry——andseewhatjustificationtheremaybeforthatconfidentconclusionofyours。’
Hereadonsteadily，untilhehadreachedtheendoftheSecondAct。
Thenhelookedup。
’Doyoureallybelievethatthemutilatedremainswhichyoudiscoveredthismorningaretheremainsofourbrother？’heasked。
’Anddoyoubelieveitonsuchevidenceasthis？’
Henryansweredsilentlybyasignintheaffirmative。
LordMontbarrycheckedhimself——evidentlyonthepointofenteringanindignantprotest。
’Youacknowledgethatyouhavenotreadthelaterscenesofthepiece，’hesaid。’Don’tbechildish，Henry！Ifyoupersistinpinningyourfaithonsuchstuffasthis，theleastyoucandoistomakeyourselfthoroughlyacquaintedwithit。
WillyoureadtheThirdAct？No？ThenIshallreadittoyou。’
HeturnedtotheThirdAct，andranoverthosefragmentarypassageswhichwereclearlyenoughwrittenandexpressedtobeintelligibletothemindofastranger。
’Hereisasceneinthevaultsofthepalace，’hebegan。’Thevictimoftheconspiracyissleepingonhismiserablebed；andtheBaronandtheCountessareconsideringthepositioninwhichtheystand。
TheCountess（aswellasIcanmakeitout）hasraisedthemoneythatiswantedbyborrowingonthesecurityofherjewelsatFrankfort；
andtheCourierupstairsisstilldeclaredbytheDoctortohaveachanceofrecovery。Whataretheconspiratorstodo，ifthemandoesrecover？ThecautiousBaronsuggestssettingtheprisonerfree。
Ifheventurestoappealtothelaw，itiseasytodeclarethatheissubjecttoinsanedelusion，andtocallhisownwifeaswitness。
Ontheotherhand，iftheCourierdies，howisthesequestratedandunknownnoblemantobeputoutoftheway？Passively，bylettinghimstarveinhisprison？No：theBaronisamanofrefinedtastes；
hedislikesneedlesscruelty。Theactivepolicyremains——
say，assassinationbytheknifeofahiredbravo？TheBaronobjectstotrustinganaccomplice；alsotospendingmoneyonanyonebuthimself。Shalltheydroptheirprisonerintothecanal？
TheBarondeclinestotrustwater；waterwillshowhimonthesurface。
Shalltheysethisbedonfire？Anexcellentidea；butthesmokemightbeseen。No：thecircumstancesbeingnowentirelyaltered，poisoninghimpresentstheeasiestwayoutofit。Hehassimplybecomeasuperfluousperson。Thecheapestpoisonwilldo。——
Isitpossible，Henry，thatyoubelievethisconsultationreallytookplace？’
Henrymadenoreply。Thesuccessionofthequestionsthathadjustbeenreadtohim，exactlyfollowedthesuccessionofthedreamsthathadterrifiedMrs。Norbury，onthetwonightswhichshehadpassedinthehotel。Itwasuselesstopointoutthiscoincidencetohisbrother。Heonlysaid，’Goon。’
LordMontbarryturnedthepagesuntilhecametothenextintelligiblepassage。
’Here，’heproceeded，’isadoublesceneonthestage——sofarasIcanunderstandthesketchofit。TheDoctorisupstairs，innocentlywritinghiscertificateofmyLord’sdecease，bythedeadCourier’sbedside。
Downinthevaults，theBaronstandsbythecorpseofthepoisonedlord，preparingthestrongchemicalacidswhicharetoreduceittoaheapofashes——Surely，itisnotworthwhiletotroubleourselveswithdecipheringsuchmelodramatichorrorsasthese？
Letusgeton！letusgeton！’
Heturnedtheleavesagain；attemptingvainlytodiscoverthemeaningoftheconfusedscenesthatfollowed。Onthelastpagebutone，hefoundthelastintelligiblesentences。
’TheThirdActseemstobedivided，’hesaid，’intotwoPartsorTableaux。IthinkIcanreadthewritingatthebeginningoftheSecondPart。TheBaronandtheCountessopenthescene。
TheBaron’shandsaremysteriouslyconcealedbygloves。
Hehasreducedthebodytoashesbyhisownsystemofcremation，withtheexceptionofthehead——’
Henryinterruptedhisbrotherthere。’Don’treadanymore！’
heexclaimed。
’LetusdotheCountessjustice，’LordMontbarrypersisted。
’TherearenothalfadozenlinesmorethatIcanmakeout！
TheaccidentalbreakingofhisjarofacidhasburnttheBaron’shandsseverely。Heisstillunabletoproceedtothedestructionofthehead——andtheCountessiswomanenough（withallherwickedness）
toshrinkfromattemptingtotakehisplace——whenthefirstnewsisreceivedofthecomingarrivalofthecommissionofinquirydespatchedbytheinsuranceoffices。TheBaronfeelsnoalarm。
Inquireasthecommissionmay，itisthenaturaldeathoftheCourier（inmyLord’scharacter）thattheyareblindlyinvestigating。
Theheadnotbeingdestroyed，theobviousalternativeistohideit——
andtheBaronisequaltotheoccasion。Hisstudiesintheoldlibraryhaveinformedhimofasafeplaceofconcealmentinthepalace。
TheCountessmayrecoilfromhandlingtheacidsandwatchingtheprocessofcremation；butshecansurelysprinklealittledisinfectingpowder——’
’Nomore！’Henryreiterated。’Nomore！’
’Thereisnomorethatcanberead，mydearfellow。Thelastpagelookslikesheerdelirium。Shemaywellhavetoldyouthatherinventionhadfailedher！’
’Facethetruthhonestly，Stephen，andsayhermemory。’
LordMontbarryrosefromthetableatwhichhehadbeensitting，andlookedathisbrotherwithpityingeyes。
’Yournervesareoutoforder，Henry，’hesaid。’Andnowonder，afterthatfrightfuldiscoveryunderthehearth-stone。Wewon’tdisputeaboutit；wewillwaitadayortwountilyouarequiteyourselfagain。
Inthemeantime，letusunderstandeachotherononepointatleast。
Youleavethequestionofwhatistobedonewiththesepagesofwritingtome，astheheadofthefamily？’
’Ido。’
LordMontbarryquietlytookupthemanuscript，andthrewitintothefire。’Letthisrubbishbeofsomeuse，’hesaid，holdingthepagesdownwiththepoker。’Theroomisgettingchilly——
theCountess’splaywillsetsomeofthesecharredlogsflamingagain。’
Hewaitedalittleatthefire-place，andreturnedtohisbrother。
’Now，Henry，Ihavealastwordtosay，andthenIhavedone。
Iamreadytoadmitthatyouhavestumbled，byanunluckychance，ontheproofofacrimecommittedintheolddaysofthepalace，nobodyknowshowlongago。Withthatoneconcession，Idisputeeverythingelse。Ratherthanagreeintheopinionyouhaveformed，Iwon’tbelieveanythingthathashappened。Thesupernaturalinfluencesthatsomeofusfeltwhenwefirstsleptinthishotel——
yourlossofappetite，oursister’sdreadfuldreams，thesmellthatoverpoweredFrancis，andtheheadthatappearedtoAgnes——Ideclarethemalltobesheerdelusions！Ibelieveinnothing，nothing，nothing！’
Heopenedthedoortogoout，andlookedbackintotheroom。
’Yes，’heresumed，’thereisonethingIbelievein。Mywifehascommittedabreachofconfidence——IbelieveAgneswillmarryyou。
Goodnight，Henry。WeleaveVenicethefirstthingto-morrowmorning。
SoLordMontbarrydisposedofthemysteryofTheHauntedHotel。
POSTSCRIPT
AlastchanceofdecidingthedifferenceofopinionbetweenthetwobrothersremainedinHenry’spossession。HehadhisownideaoftheusetowhichhemightputthefalseteethasameansofinquirywhenheandMsfellow-travellersreturnedtoEngland。
Theonlysurvivingdepositaryofthedomestichistoryofthefamilyinpastyears，wasAgnesLockwood’soldnurse。
HenrytookhisfirstopportunityoftryingtoreviveherpersonalrecollectionsofthedeceasedLordMontbarry。ButthenursehadneverforgiventhegreatmanofthefamilyforhisdesertionofAgnes；
sheflatlyrefusedtoconsulthermemory。’Eventhebaresightofmylord，whenIlastsawhiminLondon，’saidtheoldwoman，’mademyfinger-nailsitchtosettheirmarkonhisface。
IwassentonanerrandbyMissAgnes；andImethimcomingoutofhisdentist’sdoor——and，thankGod，that’sthelastIeversawofhim！’
Thankstothenurse’squicktemperandquaintwayofexpressingherself，theobjectofHenry’sinquirieswasgainedalready！
Heventuredonaskingifshehadnoticedthesituationofthehouse。
Shehadnoticed，andstillrememberedthesituation——
didMasterHenrysupposeshehadlosttheuseofhersenses，becauseshehappenedtobenighoneightyyearsold？Thesameday，hetookthefalseteethtothedentist，andsetallfurtherdoubt（ifdoubthadstillbeenpossible）atrestforever。TheteethhadbeenmadeforthefirstLordMontbarry。
Henryneverrevealedtheexistenceofthislastlinkinthechainofdiscoverytoanylivingcreature，hisbrotherStephenincluded。
Hecarriedhisterriblesecretwithhimtothegrave。
Therewasoneothereventinthememorablepastonwhichhepreservedthesamecompassionatesilence。LittleMrs。Ferrarineverknewthatherhusbandhadbeen——not，asshesupposed，theCountess’svictim——
buttheCountess’saccomplice。ShestillbelievedthatthelateLordMontbarryhadsentherthethousand-poundnote，andstillrecoiledfrommakinguseofapresentwhichshepersistedindeclaringhad’thestainofherhusband’sbloodonit。’Agnes，withthewidow’sentireapproval，tookthemoneytotheChildren’sHospital；
andspentitinaddingtothenumberofthebeds。
Inthespringofthenewyear，themarriagetookplace。
AtthespecialrequestofAgnes，themembersofthefamilyweretheonlypersonspresentattheceremony。Therewasnoweddingbreakfast——
andthehoneymoonwasspentintheretirementofacottageonthebanksoftheThames。
Duringthelastfewdaysoftheresidenceofthenewlymarriedcouplebytheriverside，LadyMontbarry’schildrenwereinvitedtoenjoyaday’splayinthegarden。Theeldestgirloverheard（andreportedtohermother）alittleconjugaldialoguewhichtouchedonthetopicofTheHauntedHotel。
’Henry，Iwantyoutogivemeakiss。’
’Thereitis，mydear。’
’NowIamyourwife，mayIspeaktoyouaboutsomething？’
’Whatisit？’
’SomethingthathappenedthedaybeforeweleftVenice。
YousawtheCountess，duringthelasthoursofherlife。
Won’tyoutellmewhethershemadeanyconfessiontoyou？’
’Noconsciousconfession，Agnes——andthereforenoconfessionthatI
needdistressyoubyrepeating。’
’Didshesaynothingaboutwhatshesaworheard，onthatdreadfulnightinmyroom？’
’Nothing。Weonlyknowthathermindneverrecoveredtheterrorofit。’
Agneswasnotquitesatisfied。Thesubjecttroubledher。
Evenherownbriefintercoursewithhermiserablerivalofotherdayssuggestedquestionsthatperplexedher。
SherememberedtheCountess’sprediction。’Youhavetobringmetothedayofdiscovery，andtothepunishmentthatismydoom。’
Hadthepredictionsimplyfaded，likeothermortalprophecies？——
orhaditbeenfulfilledontheterriblenightwhenshehadseentheapparition，andwhenshehadinnocentlytemptedtheCountesstowatchherinherroom？
Letit，however，berecorded，amongtheothervirtuesofMrs。HenryWestwick，thatsheneveragainattemptedtopersuadeherhusbandintobetrayinghissecrets。Othermen’swives，hearingofthisextraordinaryconduct（andbeingtrainedinthemodernschoolofmoralsandmanners），naturallyregardedherwithcompassionatecontempt。TheyspokeofAgnes，fromthattimeforth，as’ratheranold-fashionedperson。’
Isthatall？
Thatisall。
IstherenoexplanationofthemysteryofTheHauntedHotel？
Askyourselfifthereisanyexplanationofthemysteryofyourownlifeanddeath。——Farewell。