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 cant 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 lordships 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 Lockwoods name just now! No! I dont 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. 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]
The maid vanished. Lady Montbarry told Mrs. Ferrari.
I look half dead already, dont I? she said with a grim. Give me your arm.
She took Mrs. Ferraris 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 Lockwoods 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, maam.
She stepped over the threshold the door closed on her.
Which way, maam? 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 Montbarrys mercy? Which course to follow? Suddenly a gentleman stopped at Miss Lockwoods 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.
Ill see to it[21], was all he said.
Chapter XI
Lady Montbarry, Miss.
Agnes was writing a letter, when the servant announced the visitors name. Her first impulse was to refuse to see the woman. But Lady Montbarry entered the room.
Примечания
1
consulting-hours приёмные часы
2
she said she wouldnt keep you five minutes она сказала, что не отнимет у вас и пяти минут
3
rounds among the patients обход пациентов
4
on tip-toe на цыпочках
5
smelling bottle бутылочка с нюхательной солью
6
reports of me слухи про меня
7
addressed it to the Poor-box написал на нём «В пользу бедных»
8
Dalmatian lady уроженка Далмации (области на северо-западе Балканского полуострова)
9
had then deluded him into making her a proposal of marriage обманом вынудила потом предложение руки и сердца
10
the Peerage «Книга пэров»
11
Dont mind me. Не обращайте на меня внимания.
12
every acre of which is entailed каждый акр (той земли) неотчуждаемая собственность
13
I am out of spirits. У меня скверное настроение.
14
he treated you like the scoundrel он выказал себя перед тобой подлецом
15
the Channel Ла-Манш
16
water-colour drawing акварель
17
I will call for you я заеду за тобой
18
accept the expression of my sympathy примите мои соболезнования
19
intimately acquainted близко знакомы
20
before I can count ten прежде чем я досчитаю до десяти
21
Ill see to it я об этом позабочусь