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. 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.

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 mor