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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
Agnes appeared in the little black doorway of the gondola cabin； and；
taking Lord Montbarry's hand； passed in her turn to the steps。 She wore
no veil。 As she ascended to the door of the hotel； the Countess （eyeing
her through an opera…glass） noticed that she paused to look at the outside
of the building； and that her face was very pale。
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
CHAPTER XXI
Lord and Lady Montbarry were received by the housekeeper； the
manager being absent for a day or two on business connected with the
affairs of the hotel。
The rooms reserved for the travellers on the first floor were three in
number； consisting of two bedrooms opening into each other； and
communicating on the left with a drawing…room。 Complete so far； the
arrangements proved to be less satisfactory in reference to the third
bedroom required for Agnes and for the eldest daughter of Lord
Montbarry； who usually slept with her on their travels。 The bed…chamber
on the right of the drawing…room was already occupied by an English
widow lady。 Other bedchambers at the other end of the corridor were
also let in every case。 There was accordingly no alternative but to place
at the disposal of Agnes a comfortable room on the second floor。 Lady
Montbarry vainly complained of this separation of one of the members of
her travelling party from the rest。 The housekeeper politely hinted that it
was impossible for her to ask other travellers to give up their rooms。 She
could only express her regret； and assure Miss Lockwood that her bed…
chamber on the second floor was one of the best rooms in that part of the
hotel。
On the retirement of the housekeeper； Lady Montbarry noticed that
Agnes had seated herself apart； feeling apparently no interest in the
question of the bedrooms。 Was she ill？ No； she felt a little unnerved by
the railway journey； and that was all。 Hearing this； Lord Montbarry
proposed that she should go out with him； and try the experiment of half
an hour's walk in the cool evening air。 Agnes gladly accepted the
suggestion。 They directed their steps towards the square of St。 Mark； so
as to enjoy the breeze blowing over the lagoon。 It was the first visit of
Agnes to Venice。 The fascination of the wonderful city of the waters
exerted its full influence over her sensitive nature。 The proposed half…
hour of the walk had passed away； and was fast expanding to half an hour
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
more； before Lord Montbarry could persuade his companion to remember
that dinner was waiting for them。 As they returned； passing under the
colonnade； neither of them noticed a lady in deep mourning； loitering in
the open space of the square。 She started as she recognised Agnes walking
with the new Lord Montbarry hesitated for a momentand then followed
them； at a discreet distance； back to the hotel。
Lady Montbarry received Agnes in high spiritswith news of an event
which had happened in her absence。
She had not left the hotel more than ten minutes； before a little note in
pencil was brought to Lady Montbarry by the housekeeper。 The writer
proved to be no less a person than the widow lady who occupied the room
on the other side of the drawing…room； which her ladyship had vainly
hoped to secure for Agnes。 Writing under the name of Mrs。 James； the
polite widow explained that she had heard from the housekeeper of the
disappointment experienced by Lady Montbarry in the matter of the rooms。
Mrs。 James was quite alone； and as long as her bed…chamber was airy and
comfortable； it mattered nothing to her whether she slept on the first or the
second floor of the house。 She had accordingly much pleasure in
proposing to change rooms with Miss Lockwood。 Her luggage had already
been removed； and Miss Lockwood had only to take possession of the
room （Number 13 A）； which was now entirely at her disposal。
'I immediately proposed to see Mrs。 James；' Lady Montbarry
continued； 'and to thank her personally for her extreme kindness。 But I
was informed that she had gone out； without leaving word at what hour
she might be expected to return。 I have written a little note of thanks；
saying that we hope to have the pleasure of personally expressing our
sense of Mrs。 James's courtesy to…morrow。 In the mean time； Agnes； I have
ordered your boxes to be removed downstairs。 Go！and judge for
yourself； my dear； if that good lady has not given up to you the prettiest
room in the house！'
With those words； Lady Montbarry left Miss Lockwood to make a
hasty toilet for dinner。
The new room at once produced a favourable impression on Agnes。
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The large window； opening into a balcony； commanded an admirable view
of the canal。 The decorations on the walls and ceiling were skilfully
copied from the exquisitely graceful designs of Raphael in the Vatican。
The massive wardrobe possessed compartments of unusual size； in which
double the number of dresses that Agnes possessed might have been
conveniently hung at full length。 In the inner corner of the room； near the
head of the bedstead； there was a recess which had been turned into a little
dressing…room； and which opened by a second door on the inferior
staircase of the hotel； commonly used by the servants。 Noticing these
aspects of the room at a glance； Agnes made the necessary change in her
dress； as quickly as possible。 On her way back to the drawing…room she
was addressed by a chambermaid in the corridor who