The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

  They were a family party at the dinner-table that day. The only guestleft in the house was a nephew of the new Lord Montbarry--the eldestson of his sister, Lady Barville. Lady Montbarry could not resisttelling the story of the first (and last) attack made on the virtue ofMrs. Rolland, with a comically-exact imitation of Mrs. Rolland's deepand dismal voice. Being asked by her husband what was the object whichhad brought that formidable person to the house, she naturallymentioned the expected visit of Miss Haldane. Arthur Barville,unusually silent and pre-occupied so far, suddenly struck into theconversation with a burst of enthusiasm. 'Miss Haldane is the mostcharming girl in all Ireland!' he said. 'I caught sight of heryesterday, over the wall of her garden, as I was riding by. What timeis she coming to-morrow? Before two? I'll look into the drawing-roomby accident--I am dying to be introduced to her!'

  Agnes was amused by his enthusiasm. 'Are you in love with Miss Haldanealready?' she asked.

  Arthur answered gravely, 'It's no joking matter. I have been all dayat the garden wall, waiting to see her again! It depends on MissHaldane to make me the happiest or the wretchedest man living.'

  'You foolish boy! How can you talk such nonsense?'

  He was talking nonsense undoubtedly. But, if Agnes had only known it,he was doing something more than that. He was innocently leading heranother stage nearer on the way to Venice.