Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-03
Countess narOla.
By WILKIE COLLINS.

Mr. Westwick had no choice but to explain that he was concerned as shareholder ill a new hotel company at Venice, and that he had invested a small sum of money for the nurse-not very considerably, as l think-n the speculation. Hearing this the company, by way of humoring the joke, drank new toast: Success to the Nurses Hotel and a Speedy Rise in the Dividend
 ''When the conversation returned in due time to the more serious question of the pro posed meeting at Venice difficulties began to present themselves, caused, of course, by ln- vtations for the autumn which many of the guests had already accepted. Only two members of Mrs. Carbury's family were at liberty to keep the proposed appointment. On our side we were more at leisure to do as we pleased MT. Henry Vestwick decided to go to Venice in advance of the rest, to test the accommodation of the new hotel on the opening day. Mrs. Norbury and MT. Francis Westwick volunteered to follow him; and after some persuasion Lord and Lady Mont- barry consented to a species of compromise. His Iordship could not conveniently spare time enough for the journey to Venice, but he and Lady Montbarry arranged to accom- pany Mrs. Norbury and MT. Francis Vest wick as far on their way to Italy as Paris
 
 meet their travelling companions ill London, leaving me here in charge of the three dear children. They begged hard, of course, to be taken with papa and mamma. But it was thought better not to interrupt the progress of their education, and not to expose them especially the two younger girls-to the fa- tigues of travelling.
 q have had charming letter from the bride this morning, dated Cologne. You cannot think how artlessly and prettily she assures me of her happiness. Some people, as they say in Ireland, are born to good luck and think Arthur Barville is one of them.
 "When you next write I hope to hear that you are in better health and spirits, and that you continue to like your employment. Be- lieve me, sincerely your friend, A. L."
 Agnes had just closed and directed her let ter when the eldest of her three pupils entered the room with the startling announcement that Lord Montbarry's travelling servant had arrived from Paris! Alarmed by the idea that some misfortune had happened, she ran out to meet the man ill the hall. Her face told him how seriously he had frightened her, before she could speak. "There's nothing wrong, miss," he hastened to say My lord ard my lady are enjoying themselves at Paris. They only want you and the young ladies to be with them" Saying these amaz- ing words, he handed to Agnes a letter from Lady Montbarry
 "Dearest Agnes"-she read-"I am so charmed with the delightful change in my hfe-it is six years, remember, since last travelled on the continent-that I have ex- erted all my Vaccinations to persuade Lord Montbarry to go on to Venice. And, what is more to the purpose, have actually succeed ed! He has just gone to his room to write the necessary letters of excuse in time for the post to England. May you have good a husband, my dear, when your time comes! In the meanwhile, the one thing wanting now to make my happiness complete is to have you and the darling children with us. Mont- barry is just as miserable without them as anl-though he doesn't confess it so freely. You will have no difficulties to trouble you. 5 Louis will deliver these hurried lines and will. take care of you on the journey to Paris. Kiss the children for me a thousand times and never mind their education for the pres ent! Pack up instantly, my dear, and will be fonLer of you than ever Your affection ato friend, ADELA MONTERREY"
 Agnes folded up the letter; and, feeling the need of composing herself, took refuge for a few minutes in her own room.
 Her first natural sensations of surprise and excitement at the prospect of going to Venice were succeeded by impressions of less agree able kind. With the recovery of her cus- tomary compoSUre came the unwelcome re. membranco of the parting words spoken to her by Montbalry's widow: i've shall meet again-here in England, or there in Venice, where my husband died-and meet for the last time."
 It was an odd coincidence, to say the least of it, that the march of events should be un- expectedly taking Agnes to Venice after those words had been spoken! Was the wo- man of the mysterious warnings and the wild black eyes still thousands of miles away in America? Or was the march of events taking her unexpectedly, too on the journey to Venice? Agnes started out of her chair, ashamed of even the momentary concession to superstition which was implied by the mere presence of such questions as these in her mind.
 She rang the bell and sent for her little pu- pills, and announced their approaching de- parture to the household. The noisy delight of the children, the inspiriting effort of pack ing up in a hurry, reused all her energies. She dismissed her own absurd misgivings from consideration, with the contempt that they deserved. She worked as only women can work when their hearts are in what they do. The travellers reached Dublin that day, ill time for the boat to England. Two days later they were with Lord and Lady Mont barry at Paris.
 THE FOURTH PART.