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called 'conscience。' In one state of a man's mind； his conscience is the
severest judge that can pass sentence on him。 In another state； he and his
conscience are on the best possible terms with each other in the
comfortable capacity of accomplices。 When Doctor Wybrow left his house
for the second time； he did not even attempt to conceal from himself that
his sole object； in dining at the club； was to hear what the world said of the
Countess Narona。
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CHAPTER III
There was a time when a man in search of the pleasures of gossip
sought the society of ladies。 The man knows better now。 He goes to the
smoking…room of his club。
Doctor Wybrow lit his cigar； and looked round him at his brethren in
social conclave assembled。 The room was well filled； but the flow of
talk was still languid。 The Doctor innocently applied the stimulant that
was wanted。 When he inquired if anybody knew the Countess Narona；
he was answered by something like a shout of astonishment。 Never （the
conclave agreed） had such an absurd question been asked before！ Every
human creature； with the slightest claim to a place in society； knew the
Countess Narona。 An adventuress with a European reputation of the
blackest possible colour such was the general description of the woman
with the deathlike complexion and the glittering eyes。
Descending to particulars； each member of the club contributed his
own little stock of scandal to the memoirs of the Countess。 It was doubtful
whether she was really； what she called herself； a Dalmatian lady。 It was
doubtful whether she had ever been married to the Count whose widow
she assumed to be。 It was doubtful whether the man who accompanied her
in her travels （under the name of Baron Rivar； and in the character of her
brother） was her brother at all。 Report pointed to the Baron as a gambler
at every 'table' on the Continent。 Report whispered that his so…called
sister had narrowly escaped being implicated in a famous trial for
poisoning at Viennathat she had been known at Milan as a spy in the
interests of Austriathat her 'apartment' in Paris had been denounced to
the police as nothing less than a private gambling…house and that her
present appearance in England was the natural result of the discovery。
Only one member of the assembly in the smoking…room took the part of
this much…abused woman； and declared that her character had been most
cruelly and most unjustly assailed。 But as the man was a lawyer； his
interference went for nothing： it was naturally attributed to the spirit of
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THE HAUNTED HOTEL A Mystery of Modern Venice
contradiction inherent in his profession。 He was asked derisively what he
thought of the circumstances under which the Countess had become
engaged to be married； and he made the characteristic answer； that he
thought the circumstances highly creditable to both parties； and that he
looked on the lady's future husband as a most enviable man。
Hearing this； the Doctor raised another shout of astonishment by
inquiring the name of the gentleman whom the Countess was about to
marry。
His friends in the smoking…room decided unanimously that the
celebrated physician must be a second 'Rip…van…Winkle；' and that he had
just awakened from a supernatural sleep of twenty years。 It was all very
well to say that he was devoted to his profession； and that he had neither
time nor inclination to pick up fragments of gossip at dinner…parties and
balls。 A man who did not know that the Countess Narona had borrowed
money at Homburg of no less a person than Lord Montbarry； and had then
deluded him into making her a proposal of marriage； was a man who had
probably never heard of Lord Montbarry himself。 The younger members
of the club； humouring the joke； sent a waiter for the 'Peerage'； and read
aloud the memoir of the nobleman in question； for the Doctor's benefit
with illustrative morsels of information interpolated by themselves。
'Herbert John Westwick。 First Baron Montbarry； of Montbarry；
King's County； Ireland。 Created a Peer for distinguished military services
in India。 Born； 1812。 Forty…eight years old； Doctor； at the present time。
Not married。 Will be married next week； Doctor； to the delightful
creature we have been talking about。 Heir presumptive； his lordship's next
brother； Stephen Robert； married to Ella； youngest daughter of the
Reverend Silas Marden； Rector of Runnigate； and has issue； three
daughters。 Younger brothers of his lordship； Francis and Henry；
unmarried。 Sisters of his lordship； Lady Barville； married to Sir
Theodore Barville； Bart。； and Anne； widow of the late Peter Norbury； Esq。；
of Norbury Cross。 Bear his lordship's relations well in mind； Doctor。
Three brothers Westwick； Stephen； Francis； and Henry； and two sisters；
Lady Barville and Mrs。 Norbury。 Not one of the five will be present at
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the marriage； and not one of the five will leave a stone unturned to stop it；
if the Countess will only give them a chance。 Add to these hostile
members of the family another offended relative not mentioned in the
'Peerage；' a young lady'
A sudden outburst of protest in more than one part of the room stopped
the coming disclosure； and released the Doctor from further persecution。
'Don't mention the poor girl's name； it's too bad to make a joke of that
part of the business； she has behaved nobly under shameful provocation；
there is but one excuse for Montbarryhe is either a madman or a fool。' In
these terms the protest expressed itself on all sides。 Speaking
confidentially to his next neighbour； the Doctor discovere