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wild black eyes still thousands of miles away in America？ Or was the
march of events taking her unexpectedly； too； on the journey to Venice？
Agnes started out of her chair； ashamed of even the momentary concession
to superstition which was implied by the mere presence of such questions
as these in her mind。
She rang the bell； and sent for her little pupils； and announced their
approaching departure to the household。 The noisy delight of the
children； the inspiriting effort of packing up in a hurry； roused all her
energies。 She dismissed her own absurd misgivings from consideration；
with the contempt that they deserved。 She worked as only women can
work； when their hearts are in what they do。 The travellers reached Dublin
that day； in time for the boat to England。 Two days later； they were with
Lord and Lady Montbarry at Paris。
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CHAPTER XVI
It was only the twentieth of September； when Agnes and the children
reached Paris。 Mrs。 Norbury and her brother Francis had then already
started on their journey to Italyat least three weeks before the date at
which the new hotel was to open for the reception of travellers。
The person answerable for this premature departure was Francis
Westwick。
Like his younger brother Henry； he had increased his pecuniary
resources by his own enterprise and ingenuity； with this difference； that
his speculations were connected with the Arts。 He had made money； in the
first instance； by a weekly newspaper； and he had then invested his profits
in a London theatre。 This latter enterprise； admirably conducted； had been
rewarded by the public with steady and liberal encouragement。
Pondering over a new form of theatrical attraction for the coming winter
season； Francis had determined to revive the languid public taste for the
ballet by means of an entertainment of his own invention； combining
dramatic interest with dancing。 He was now； accordingly； in search of
the best dancer （possessed of the indispensable personal attractions） who
was to be found in the theatres of the Continent。 Hearing from his foreign
correspondents of two women who had made successful first appearances；
one at Milan and one at Florence； he had arranged to visit those cities； and
to judge of the merits of the dancers for himself； before he joined the bride
and bridegroom。 His widowed sister； having friends at Florence whom she
was anxious to see； readily accompanied him。 The Montbarrys remained
at Paris； until it was time to present themselves at the family meeting in
Venice。 Henry found them still in the French capital； when he arrived from
London on his way to the opening of the new hotel。
Against Lady Montbarry's advice； he took the opportunity of renewing
his addresses to Agnes。 He could hardly have chosen a more
unpropitious time for pleading his cause with her。 The gaieties of Paris
（quite incomprehensibly to herself as well as to everyone about her） had a
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
depressing effect on her spirits。 She had no illness to complain of； she
shared willingly in the ever…varying succession of amusements offered to
strangers by the ingenuity of the liveliest people in the worldbut nothing
roused her： she remained persistently dull and weary through it all。 In this
frame of mind and body； she was in no humour to receive Henry's ill…
timed addresses with favour； or even with patience： she plainly and
positively refused to listen to him。 'Why do you remind me of what I
have suffered？' she asked petulantly。 'Don't you see that it has left its
mark on me for life？'
'I thought I knew something of women by this time；' Henry said；
appealing privately to Lady Montbarry for consolation。 'But Agnes
completely puzzles me。 It is a year since Montbarry's death； and she
remains as devoted to his memory as if he had died faithful to her she
still feels the loss of him； as none of us feel it！'
'She is the truest woman that ever breathed the breath of life；' Lady
Montbarry answered。 'Remember that； and you will understand her。 Can
such a woman as Agnes give her love or refuse it； according to
circumstances？ Because the man was unworthy of her； was he less the
man of her choice？ The truest and best friend to him （little as he
deserved it） in his lifetime； she naturally remains the truest and best friend
to his memory now。 If you really love her； wait； and trust to your two best
friends to time and to me。 There is my advice； let your own experience
decide whether it is not the best advice that I can offer。 Resume your
journey to Venice to…morrow； and when you take leave of Agnes； speak to
her as cordially as if nothing had happened。'
Henry wisely followed this advice。 Thoroughly understanding him；
Agnes made the leave…taking friendly and pleasant on her side。 When he
stopped at the door for a last look at her； she hurriedly turned her head so
that her face was hidden from him。 Was that a good sign？ Lady
Montbarry； accompanying Henry down the stairs； said； 'Yes； decidedly！
Write when you get to Venice。 We shall wait here to receive letters from
Arthur and his wife； and we shall time our departure for Italy accordingly。'
A week passed； and no letter came from Henry。 Some days later； a
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telegram was received from him。 It was despatched from Milan； instead
of from Venice； and it brought this strange message：'I have left the hotel。
Will return on the arrival of Arthur and his wife。 Address； meanwhile；
Albergo Reale； Milan。'
Preferring Venice before all other cities of Europe； and having
arranged to remain there until the family