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Montbarry's brother made a sign, admitting that he had no objection to offer so far. 'If his lordship dies first, the lawyer proceeded, 'I have been informed that the only provision he can make for his widow consists in a rent-charge on the property of no more than four hundred a year. His retiring pension and allowances, it is well known, die with him.
Ferrari mastered her own throbbing heart; stepped over the threshold, conscious of her clammy hands, dry lips, and burning head; and stood in the presence of Lord Montbarry's widow, to all outward appearance as supremely self-possessed as her ladyship herself. It was still early in the afternoon, but the light in the room was dim. The blinds were drawn down.
'When Ferrari wrote to the late Lord Montbarry, she said, 'he did certainly mention my name. Even now, she had innocently failed to see the object which her visitor had in view. Lady Montbarry's impatience became ungovernable. She started to her feet, and advanced to Agnes. 'Was it with your knowledge and permission that Ferrari used your name? she asked.
'I come, my lady, to acknowledge the receipt of the money sent to Ferrari's widow. Lady Montbarry's glittering black eyes rested with steady attention on the woman who had addressed her in those terms. Not the faintest expression of confusion or alarm, not even a momentary flutter of interest stirred the deadly stillness of her face.
No not because it was the last, but because it had this in it. She opened her hand, and showed him a lock of Montbarry's hair, tied with a morsel of golden cord. 'Well! well! let it go with the rest. She dropped it into the flame. For a while, she stood with her back to Henry, leaning on the mantel-piece, and looking into the fire.
Still silent, Lady Montbarry invited her by a wave of the hand to go on. Henry approached, attentively watching his sister-in-law. Agnes went on. 'No trace of Ferrari has been discovered in England, she said. 'Have you any news of him? Lady Montbarry's thin lips suddenly relaxed into their sad and cruel smile. 'Why do you ask me about the lost courier? she said.
James, sitting at the window of her room watching for them, saw the new Lord land from the gondola first. He handed his wife to the steps. The three children were next committed to his care. Last of all, 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.
'I thought I knew something of women by this time, Henry said, appealing privately to Lady Montbarry for consolation. 'But Agnes completely puzzles me. It is a year since Montbarry's death; and she remains as devoted to his memory as if he had died faithful to her she still feels the loss of him, as none of us feel it!
That man was the lawyer who had already undertaken the defence of the Countess. 'I stand alone in my opinion, he said, 'and I am not ashamed of repeating it in anybody's hearing. I consider the Countess Narona to be a cruelly-treated woman. Why shouldn't she be Lord Montbarry's wife? Who can say she has a mercenary motive in marrying him? Montbarry's brother turned sharply on the speaker.
Rolland. This lady is Miss Lockwood my husband's cousin, and my friend. She is anxious to speak to you about the courier who was in the late Lord Montbarry's service at Venice. Mrs. Rolland's bushy eyebrows frowned in stern disapproval of the new topic of conversation. 'I regret to hear it, my lady, was all she said.
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