The Haunted Hotel / Отель с привидениями

�I come, my lady, to acknowledge the receipt of the money sent to Ferrari’s widow.’

Lady Montbarry’s glittering black eyes rested on the woman. Not the faintest expression of confusion or alarm, not even a momentary flutter of interest. The test was failed.

There was another silence. The smile that came slowly and went away suddenly – the smile at once so sad and so cruel – showed itself on Lady Montbarry’s thin lips. She pointed to a seat at the farther end of the room.

�Be so good as to take that chair,’ she said.

Mrs. Ferrari mechanically obeyed. Lady Montbarry watched her with undisguised scrutiny.

�No,’ she said to herself, �the woman walks steadily; she is not intoxicated – the only other possibility is that she may be mad.’

She spoke loud enough. Mrs. Ferrari instantly answered her:

�I am no more drunk or mad than you are!’

�No?’ said Lady Montbarry. �Then you are only insolent? Oh, the ignorant English mind! This is very noticeable to us foreigners among you people in the streets.

Of course I can’t be insolent to you, in return. I hardly know what to say to you. I wonder who you are? You mentioned the name of a courier who left us very strangely. Are you his wife? And do you know where he is?’

Mrs. Ferrari advanced to the sofa; she feared nothing.

�I am his widow – and you know it, you wicked woman! Ah! it was an evil hour when Miss Lockwood recommended my husband to be his lordship’s courier!’

Before she could add another word, Lady Montbarry sprang from the sofa and seized her by both shoulders – and shook her with the strength and frenzy of a madwoman.

�You lie! you lie! you lie!’ She threw up her hands wildly with a gesture of despair. �Oh, Jesu Maria! is it possible?’ she cried. �Can the courier have come to me through that woman?’

She stopped Mrs. Ferrari when she was escaping from the room.

�Stay here, you fool – stay here, and answer me! Sit down – and fear nothing.

Wretch! It is I who am frightened. Confess that you lied, when you used Miss Lockwood’s name just now! No! I don’t believe you on your oath; I will believe nobody but Miss Lockwood herself. Where does she live? Tell me that, you noxious little insect – and you may go.’

Mrs. Ferrari was terrified. She hesitated. Lady Montbarry lifted her hands threateningly, with the long, lean fingers, and Mrs. Ferrari gave the address.