e outer doorway. Back of him were Seraphine and Dr. Owen.

"Give that to me."

The psychologist advanced toward her slowly, holding out his hands.
Fauvette stared at him, trembling.

"No! I'll throw it down."

His eyes blazed upon her. His outspread arms seemed to envelope her.

"You cannot throw it down! Come nearer! Give it to me!"

Like a frightened child she obeyed.

"Now go into the bedroom! Lie down! Sleep!"

Again she obeyed, turning and walking slowly to the bed; but there she
paused and said with scornful deliberateness: "You can drive me out
now, but I'll come back when she sleeps. I'll make her dream. Damn you!
And tomorrow night--Ha! You'll see!"

Dr. Leroy's stern gaze did not falter, but compelled Penelope to go back
to the couch, where almost immediately her tragic eyes closed in
slumber.

CHAPTER XVIII

PLAYING WITH FIRE

What happened on the last day, or rather the last night, of Mrs. Wells'
psychological crisis may be regarded either as a purely subjective
phenomena, a dream or a startling experience of the soul, or as
something that came from without, a telepathic or spiritualistic
manifestation. In any case note must be made of the testimony of Dr.
William Owen, an extremely rational person, that after midnight on this
occasion he distinctly _saw_ scarlet lights moving about the darkened
room near Penelope's couch.

The patient passed the day quietly (after sleeping late) and was advised
not to see her lover, although Dr. Leroy did not insist upon this. Mrs.
Wells agreed, however, that any conversation with Christopher might be
harmfully agitating, and was content to send him a loving message,
together with a sealed communication that was not to be opened
unless--unless things went badly.

"Do you think I am going to pull through tonight, doctor?" she asked
tremulously about three in the afternoon.

"I am sure you will, Mrs. Wells, if you will only trust me and do what
I have told you to do. Your fate is in your own hands--entirely."

Dr. Leroy spoke confidently, but she shook her head in distress of mind.

"I wish I could believe what you say. I would give anything to feel sure
that my mother is watching over me, trying to come to me; but I can't
believe it. If she wants to come, why doesn't she do it? Why didn't she
come to me last night when I needed her so terribly?"

"Seraphine has told you why, she says the conditions are not right. Is
that so surprising? Take a t