The Haunted Hotel / Отель с привидениями

Why can’t the Countess Narona be Lord Montbarry’s wife? Who can say she has a mercenary motive?’

Montbarry’s brother turned sharply on the speaker.

�I say it!’ he answered.

�I believe I am right,’ the lawyer rejoined, �his lordship’s income is not more than sufficient to support his station in life. And it is an income derived almost entirely from landed property in Ireland, every acre of which is entailed[12 - every acre of which is entailed – каждый акр (той земли) – неотчуждаемая собственность].

’

Montbarry’s brother had no objection.

�If his lordship dies first,’ the lawyer proceeded, �if he leaves her a widow, four hundred pounds a year – is all that he can leave to the Countess. I know that.’

�Four hundred a year is not all,’ was the reply to this. �My brother has insured his life for ten thousand pounds.’

This announcement produced a strong sensation. Men looked at each other, and repeated the words, �Ten thousand pounds!’

After that, the Doctor went home.

But his curiosity about the Countess was not satisfied. He was wondering whether Lord Montbarry’s family would stop the marriage after all. And more than this, he wanted to see the man himself. Every day he visited the club to hear some news.

Nothing happened. The Countess’s position was secure; Montbarry’s resolution to be her husband was unshaken. They were both Roman Catholics, and they were to be married at the chapel in Spanish Place.

On the day of the wedding, the Doctor went out to see the marriage. The wedding was strictly private. A carriage stood at the church door; a few people, mostly of the lower class, and mostly old women, were near. Here and there Doctor Wybrow detected the faces of some of his brethren of the club. They were attracted by curiosity, like himself. Four persons only stood before the altar – the bride and bridegroom and their two witnesses.

One of these last was an elderly woman; the other was undoubtedly her brother, Baron Rivar.

Lord Montbarry was a middle-aged military man. Nothing remarkable. Baron Rivar had moustache, bold eyes, and curling hair. And he was not in the least like his sister.

The priest was only a harmless, humble-looking old man.

From time to time the Doctor glanced round at the door or up at the galleries, anticipating the appearance of some protesting stranger.