funeral left the palace. Bear all these statements in mind, Agnes; and
how can you deny that the question of Montbarry's death and burial is a
question set at rest? We have really but one doubt left: we have
still to ask ourselves whether the remains which I discovered are the
remains of the lost courier, or not. There is the case, as I
understand it. Have I stated it fairly?'

Agnes could not deny that he had stated it fairly.

"Then what prevents you from experiencing the same sense of relief that
I feel?' Henry asked.

'What I saw last night prevents me,' Agnes answered. 'When we spoke of
this subject, after our inquiries were over, you reproached me with
taking what you called the superstitious view. I don't quite admit
that--but I do acknowledge that I should find the superstitious view
intelligible if I heard it expressed by some other person. Remembering
what your brother and I once were to each other in the bygone time, I
can understand the apparition making itself visible to me, to claim the
mercy of Christian burial, and the vengeance due to a crime. I can
even perceive some faint possibility of truth in the explanation which
you described as the mesmeric theory--that what I saw might be the
result of magnetic influence communicated to me, as I lay between the
remains of the murdered husband above me and the guilty wife suffering
the tortures of remorse at my bedside. But what I do not understand
is, that I should have passed through that dreadful ordeal; having no
previous knowledge of the murdered man in his lifetime, or only knowing
him (if you suppose that I saw the apparition of Ferrari) through the
interest which I took in his wife. I can't dispute your reasoning,
Henry. But I feel in my heart of hearts that you are deceived.
Nothing will shake my belief that we are still as far from having
discovered the dreadful truth as ever.'

Henry made no further attempt to dispute with her. She had impressed
him with a certain reluctant respect for her own opinion, in spite of
himself.

'Have you thought of any better way of arriving at the truth?' he
asked. 'Who is to help us? No doubt there is the Countess, who has
the clue to the mystery in her own hands. But, in the present state of
her mind, is her testimony to be trusted--even if she were willing to
speak? Judging by my own experience, I should say decidedly not.'

'You don't mean that you have seen her again?' Agnes eagerly
interposed.

'Yes. I di