The Haunted Hotel / Отель с привидениями

Lady Montbarry pointed contemptuously to the door – then changed her mind.

�No! not yet! you will tell Miss Lockwood what has happened, and she may refuse to see me. I will go there at once, and you will go with me. Sit down again. I am going to ring for my maid.’

She rang the bell. The maid appeared.

�My cloak and bonnet – instantly! A cab at the door – before I can count ten![20 - before I can count ten – прежде чем я досчитаю до десяти]’

The maid vanished.

�I look half dead already, don’t I?’ she said with a grim. �Give me your arm.’

She took Mrs. Ferrari’s arm, and left the room. �You have nothing to fear, so long as you obey,’ she whispered, on the way downstairs. �You leave me at Miss Lockwood’s door, and never see me again.’

In the hall they met the landlady of the hotel. Lady Montbarry graciously presented her companion,

�My good friend Mrs. Ferrari; I am so glad to see her.

The landlady accompanied them to the door. The cab was waiting. They drove away. Lady Montbarry preserved a sinister silence, until they reached the house where Miss Lockwood

lodged. She opened the door of the cab, and closed it again.

�Take that lady a mile farther on her way home!’ she said, as she paid the man his fare.

The next moment she knocked at the house-door.

�Is Miss Lockwood at home?’

�Yes, ma’am.’

She stepped over the threshold – the door closed on her.

�Which way, ma’am?’ asked the driver of the cab.

Mrs. Ferrari put her hand to her head, and tried to collect her thoughts. Will she leave her friend and benefactress helpless at Lady Montbarry’s mercy? Which course to follow? Suddenly a gentleman stopped at Miss Lockwood’s door. He looked towards the cab-window, and saw her.

�Are you going to call on Miss Agnes too?’ he asked.

It was Henry Westwick. Mrs. Ferrari recognised him.

�Go in, sir!’ she cried. �Go in, directly. That dreadful woman is with Miss Agnes. Go and protect her!’

�What woman?’ Henry asked.

With amazement and indignation in his face, he looked at Mrs. Ferrari as she pronounced the hated name of �Lady Montbarry.’

�I’ll see to it[21 - I’ll see to it – я об этом позабочусь],’ was all he said.

Chapter XI

�Lady Montbarry, Miss.