Towards evening on the third day, Lord Montbarry and his travellingcompanions arrived, punctual to their appointment.

  'Mrs. James,' sitting at the window of her room watching for them, sawthe new Lord land from the gondola first. He handed his wife to thesteps. The three children were next committed to his care. Last ofall, 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, theCountess (eyeing her through an opera-glass) noticed that she paused tolook at the outside of the building, and that her face was very pale.