The Haunted Hotel / Отель с привидениями

He was disappointed; and they met thenceforth as cousins and friends. But now, on the very day of his brother’s marriage, she did not want to see him. The old nurse (who remembered them both in their cradles) observed her hesitation.

�He says, he’s going away, my dear; and he only wants to shake hands, and say good-bye.’

Agnes decided to receive her cousin.

He entered the room so rapidly that he surprised her. She hurriedly spoke first.

�You are leaving London very suddenly, Henry.

Is it business? or pleasure?’

He did not answer her. He pointed to the flaming letter, and to some black ashes of paper.

�Are you burning letters?’

�Yes.’

�His letters?’

�Yes.’

He took her hand gently.

�I had no idea. Forgive me, Agnes – I shall see you when I return.’

She signed to him, with a faint smile, to take a chair.

�We have known one another since we were children,’ she said. �Why should I have any secrets from you? I sent back all your brother’s gifts to me some time ago.

I will keep nothing that can remind me of him.’

She looked into the fire. The tears were in his eyes. He muttered to himself,

�Damn him!’

She looked at him again.

�Well, Henry, and why are you going away?’

�I am out of spirits[13 - I am out of spirits. – У меня скверное настроение.], Agnes, and I want a change.’

She paused before she spoke again.

His face told her plainly that he was thinking of her when he made that reply. She was grateful to him, but her mind was not with him: her mind was still with the man who had deserted her. She turned round again to the fire.

�Is it true,’ she asked, after a long silence, �that they have been married today?’

He answered ungraciously: �Yes.’

�Did you go to the church?’

�Go to the church?’ he repeated. �How can you ask? I have never spoken to Montbarry, I have not even seen him, since he treated you like the scoundrel[14 - he treated you like the scoundrel – он выказал себя перед тобой подлецом] and the fool that he is.

’

She looked at him suddenly. He understood her, and begged her pardon. But he was still angry.

�He will rue the day when he married that woman!’ he said.

Agnes took a chair by his side, and looked at him with a gentle surprise.