the haunted hotel-第11节
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finished yet。 The book she had been reading lay on the sofa；
with her tiny pencil…case in it to mark the place at which she
had left off。 One after another； he looked at the objects that
reminded him of the woman whom he lovedtook them up tenderly
and laid them down again with a sigh。 Ah； how far； how unattainably
far from him； she was still！ 'She will never forget Montbarry；'
he thought to himself as he took up his hat to go。 'Not one of us
feels his death as she feels it。 Miserable； miserable wretchhow she
loved him！'
In the street； as Henry closed the house…door； he was stopped
by a passing acquaintancea wearisome inquisitive man
doubly unwelcome to him； at that moment。 'Sad news； Westwick；
this about your brother。 Rather an unexpected death； wasn't it？
We never heard at the club that Montbarry's lungs were weak。
What will the insurance offices do？'
Henry started； he had never thought of his brother's life insurance。
What could the offices do but pay？ A death by bronchitis； certified by
two physicians； was surely the least disputable of all deaths。 'I wish
you hadn't put that question into my head！' he broke out irritably。
'Ah！' said his friend； 'you think the widow will get the money？
So do I！ so do I！'
CHAPTER VII
Some days later； the insurance offices （two in number）
received the formal announcement of Lord Montbarry's death；
from her ladyship's London solicitors。 The sum insured in each
office was five thousand poundson which one year's premium only
had been paid。 In the face of such a pecuniary emergency as this；
the Directors thought it desirable to consider their position。
The medical advisers of the two offices； who had recommended
the insurance of Lord Montbarry's life； were called into council
over their own reports。 The result excited some interest
among persons connected with the business of life insurance。
Without absolutely declining to pay the money； the two offices
（acting in concert） decided on sending a commission of inquiry
to Venice； 'for the purpose of obtaining further information。'
Mr。 Troy received the earliest intelligence of what was going on。
He wrote at once to communicate his news to Agnes； adding； what he
considered to be a valuable hint； in these words：
'You are intimately acquainted； I know； with Lady Barville； the late
Lord Montbarry's eldest sister。 The solicitors employed by her
husband are also the solicitors to one of the two insurance offices。
There may possibly be something in the report of the commission
of inquiry touching on Ferrari's disappearance。 Ordinary persons
would not be permitted； of course； to see such a document。
But a sister of the late lord is so near a relative as to be an exception
to general rules。 If Sir Theodore Barville puts it on that footing；
the lawyers； even if they do not allow his wife to look at the report；
will at least answer any discreet questions she may ask referring
to it。 Let me hear what you think of this suggestion； at your
earliest convenience。'
The reply was received by return of post。 Agnes declined to avail
herself of Mr。 Troy's proposal。
'My interference； innocent as it was；' she wrote； 'has already
been productive of such deplorable results； that I cannot
and dare not stir any further in the case of Ferrari。
If I had not consented to let that unfortunate man refer to me
by name； the late Lord Montbarry would never have engaged him；
and his wife would have been spared the misery and suspense from
which she is suffering now。 I would not even look at the report
to which you allude if it was placed in my handsI have heard more
than enough already of that hideous life in the palace at Venice。
If Mrs。 Ferrari chooses to address herself to Lady Barville
（with your assistance）； that is of course quite another thing。
But； even in this case； I must make it a positive condition
that my name shall not be mentioned。 Forgive me； dear Mr。 Troy！
I am very unhappy； and very unreasonablebut I am only a woman；
and you must not expect too much from me。'
Foiled in this direction； the lawyer next advised making the attempt
to discover the present address of Lady Montbarry's English maid。
This excellent suggestion had one drawback： it could only be
carried out by spending moneyand there was no money to spend。
Mrs。 Ferrari shrank from the bare idea of making any use
of the thousand…pound note。 It had been deposited in the safe
keeping of a bank。 If it was even mentioned in her hearing；
she shuddered and referred to it； with melodramatic fervour； as 'my
husband's blood…money！'
So； under stress of circumstances； the attempt to solve the mystery
of Ferrari's disappearance was suspended for a while。
It was the last month of the year 1860。 The commission of inquiry
was already at work； having begun its investigations on December 6。
On the 10th； the term for which the late Lord Montbarry had hired
the Venetian palace； expired。 News by telegram reached the insurance
offices that Lady Montbarry had been advised by her lawyers to leave
for London with as little delay as possible。 Baron Rivar； it was believed；
would accompany her to England； but would not remain in that country；
unless his services were absolutely required by her ladyship。
The Baron； 'well known as an enthusiastic student of chemistry；'
had heard of certain recent discoveries in connection with that
science in the United States； and was anxious to investigate
them personally。
These items of news； collected by Mr。 Troy； were duly communicated
to Mrs。 Ferrari； whose anxiety about her husband made her a frequent；
a too frequent； visitor at the lawyer's office。 She attempted
to relate what she had heard to her good friend and protectress。
Agnes steadily refused to listen； and positively forbade any further
conversation relating to Lord Montbarry's wife； now that Lord
Montbarry was no more。 'You have Mr。 Troy to advise you；' she said；
'and you are welcome to what little money I can spare； if money
is wanted。 All I ask in return is that you will not distress me。
I am trying to separate myself from remembrances'her voice faltered；
she paused to control herself'from remembrances；' she resumed；
'which are sadder than ever since I have heard of Lord Montbarry's death。
Help me by your silence to recover my spirits； if I can。 Let me
hear nothing more； until I can rejoice with you that your husband
is found。'
Time advanced to the 13th of the month； and more information of the
interesting sort reached Mr。 Troy。 The labours of the insurance commission
had come to an endthe report had been received from Venice on that day。
CHAPTER VIII
On the 14th the Directors and their legal advisers met for the
reading of the report； with closed doors。 These were the terms
in which the Commissioners related the results of their inquiry：
'Private and confidential。
'We have the honour to inform our Directors that we arrived in Venice
on December 6； 1860。 On the same day we proceeded to the palace
inhabited by Lord Montbarry at the time of his last illness and death。
'We were received with all possible courtesy by Lady Montbarry's brother；
Baron Rivar。 〃My sister was her husband's only attendant throughout
his illness；〃 the Baron informed us。 〃She is overwhelmed by grief
and fatigueor she would have been here to receive you personally。
What are your wishes； gentlemen？ and what can I do for you in her
ladyship's place？〃
'In accordance with our instructions； we answered that the death
and burial of Lord Montbarry abroad made it desirable to obtain more
complete information relating to his illness； and to the circumstances
which had attended it； than could be conveyed in writing。
We explained that the law provided for the lapse of a certain
interval of time before the payment of the sum assured； and we
expressed our wish to conduct the inquiry with the most respectful
consideration for her ladyship's feelings； and for the convenience
of any other members of the family inhabiting the house。
'To this the Baron replied； 〃I am the only member of the family
living here； and I and the palace are entirely at your disposal。〃
From first to last we found this gentleman
