over land and sea at
their own horrible will; they are in me, and torturing me, at this
moment! Why don't I resist them? Ha! but I do resist them. I am
trying (with the help of the good punch) to resist them now. At
intervals I cultivate the difficult virtue of common sense. Sometimes,
sound sense makes a hopeful woman of me. At one time, I had the hope
that what seemed reality to me was only mad delusion, after all--I even
asked the question of an English doctor! At other times, other
sensible doubts of myself beset me. Never mind dwelling on them
now--it always ends in the old terrors and superstitions taking
possession of me again. In a week's time, I shall know whether Destiny
does indeed decide my future for me, or whether I decide it for myself.
In the last case, my resolution is to absorb this self-tormenting fancy
of mine in the occupation that I have told you of already. Do you
understand me a little better now? And, our business being settled,
dear Mr. Westwick, shall we get out of this hot room into the nice cool
air again?'

They rose to leave the cafe. Francis privately concluded that the
maraschino punch offered the only discoverable explanation of what the
Countess had said to him.

CHAPTER XX

'Shall I see you again?' she asked, as she held out her hand to take
leave. 'It is quite understood between us, I suppose, about the play?'

Francis recalled his extraordinary experience of that evening in the
re-numbered room. 'My stay in Venice is uncertain,' he replied. 'If
you have anything more to say about this dramatic venture of yours, it
may be as well to say it now. Have you decided on a subject already?
I know the public taste in England better than you do--I might save you
some waste of time and trouble, if you have not chosen your subject
wisely.'

'I don't care what subject I write about, so long as I write,' she
answered carelessly. 'If you have got a subject in your head, give it
to me. I answer for the characters and the dialogue.'

'You answer for the characters and the dialogue,' Francis repeated.
'That's a bold way of speaking for a beginner! I wonder if I should
shake your sublime confidence in yourself, if I suggested the most
ticklish subject to handle which is known to the stage? What do you
say, Countess, to entering the lists with Shakespeare, and trying a
drama with a ghost in it? A true story, mind! founded on events in
this very city in which you and I are interested.