Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-29
Countess NarOna.
By WILKIE COLLINS.

By w1LKIE COLLINS. He looked at Lady Montbarry with mo- ment's steady attention, bowed to her with formal politeness and passed OH in silence. At the sight of her husbands brother the sinking spirit of the woman sprung to life again. Her dropping f,ure became erect. Her eyes met Westwicks look, brightly de- liant. She returned his bow with an icy smile of contempt.
 Henry crossed the room to Agnes.
 "Is Lady Montbarry here by your invita- tionY he asked quietly.
 "No."
 Do you wish to see her7''
 "It is very painful to me to see her."
 He turned and looked at his sister-in-law.
 "Do you hear that?" he asked, coldly.
 "I hear it," she answered, more coldly still.
 "Your visit is, to say the least of it, ill timed"
 "Your interference is, to say the least of it, out of place."
 With that retort, Lady Montbarry ap- preached AgEes. The presence of Henry Westwick seemed at once to relieve and em- bolden her. Permit ne to ask my question, Miss Lockwood" she said, with graceful courtesy. "It is nothing to embarrass you. When the Courier Ferrari applied to my late husband for employment, did you"- Her resolution failed her before she could say more. She sunk trembling into the nearest chair, and, after a moments struggle, com posed herself again. "Did you permit Fer rari" she resumed "to make sure of being chosen for our courier by using your i:ames'
 Agnes did not reply with her customary dj rcctness. Trifing as it was, the reference to Montbarry, proceeding from that woman, of ull others, confused aud agitated her.
 "I have known Ferraris wife for many years," she began. ''And take an interest,"
 Lady Montbarry abruptly lifted her hands with 0 gesture of entreaty. "Ah, Miss Lock- wood, don't waste time by talking of his wife. Answer my plain question plainly"
 "Let me answer her," Henry whispered. "J will undertake to speak plainly enough"
 Agnes refused by gesture. Lady Mont. barry's interruption had reused her sense of what was due to herself. She resumed her reply ill planer terms.
 "When Ferrari wrote to the late Lord Montbarry," she said, 'he did certainly men, tion my name."
 Even now, she had innocently failed to see the object which her visitor had in view. Lady Montbarry's impatience became ungovern- able. She started to her feet and advanced to Agnes.
 "Was it with your knowledge and pernis- sion that Ferrari used your name?" she asked "The whole soul or my question is ill that. For Gods sake, answer me-Yes or No?"
 "Yes."
 That one word struck Lady Montbarry as blow might have struck her. The fierce life that had animated her face the instant before faded out of it suddenly ana left her like woman turned to stone. She stood, mechanic ally confronting Agnes with stiffness so rapt and perfect that not even tue breath she drew was perceptible to the two persons who were looking at her.
 Henry spoke to her roughly. Rouse your self," he said "You have received your an- swer."
 She looked at him. q have received my sentence" she rejoined, and turned slowly to leave the room.
 To Henry's astonishnent, Agnes stopped her. "Wat moment, Lady Montbarry;1 have something to ask on my slde."
 Lady Montbarry paused the instant silently submissive if she had heard a word of command Henry drew Agnes away to the other end of the room and demonstrated with her.
 "You do wrong to call that person back" he said.
 "No," Agnes whispered, q have had time to remember"
 "To remember whats"
 "To remember Ferrari's wife; Lady Mont barry may have heard something of the lost man."
 "Lady Montbarry may have heard, but she won't tell"
 "It may be so, Henry, but for Emiy's sake I must try" Henry yielded.
 "Your kindness is inexhaustible," he said, IL. l>i,, eyes. Always thinking of others; never of yourself!"
 Meanwhile Lady Montbarry waited with resignation that could endure any delay. Agnes returned to her, leaving Henry by himself. "Pardon me for keeping you wait ing" she said. in her gentle, courteous way "You have spoken of Ferrari. wish to speak of him, too.'
 Lady Montbarry bent her head ill silence Her hand trembled as she took out her hand kerchief and passed it over her forehead Agnes detected the trembling and shrunk back step. "Is the subject painful to youT she asked, tmidly.
 Still silent, Lady Montbarry invited her by wave of the hand to go on. Henry ap preached 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 hilns And will you tell me Gt you have heard anything), ill mercy to his wife?" Lady Montbarry's thin lips suddenly re- faxed into their sad and cruel smile.
 "Why do you ask me about the lost couriera' she said. "You will know what has become of him, Miss Lockwood, when the time is ripe for it." | Agnes started. "I don't understand you," she said. "How shall know9 Will some l one tell mel"
 "Some ono will tell you."
 Henry could keep silence no longer. "Per- haps your ladyship may be the person." he interrupted, with ironical politeness She answered him with contemptuous ease: "You may be right, Mir. Westwick. One day or another may be the person who tells Miss Lockwood what has become of Ferrari l if"-
 | She stopped, with her eyes fixed on Agnes.
 "If whaIa" Henry asked. "If Miss Lockwood forces me to it." Agnes listened ill astouishment. "Force l you to it7" she repeated. "How can I do that7 Do you mean to say my will is stronger than yours7"
 Do you mean to say that the candle doesn't