of comments which Wilson was pouring out for my
benefit. As I bade her good-night Miss Penclosa slipped a piece of
paper into my hand.

"Pray forgive me," said she, "if I take means to overcome your
scepticism. Open this note at ten o'clock to-morrow morning. It is a
little private test."

I can't imagine what she means, but there is the note, and it shall be
opened as she directs. My head is aching, and I have written enough
for to-night. To-morrow I dare say that what seems so inexplicable
will take quite another complexion. I shall not surrender my
convictions without a struggle.

March 25. I am amazed, confounded. It is clear that I must reconsider
my opinion upon this matter. But first let me place on record what has
occurred.

I had finished breakfast, and was looking over some diagrams with which
my lecture is to be illustrated, when my housekeeper entered to tell me
that Agatha was in my study and wished to see me immediately. I
glanced at the clock and saw with sun rise that it was only half-past
nine.

When I entered the room, she was standing on the hearth-rug facing me.
Something in her pose chilled me and checked the words which were
rising to my lips. Her veil was half down, but I could see that she
was pale and that her expression was constrained.

"Austin," she said, "I have come to tell you that our engagement is at
an end."

I staggered. I believe that I literally did stagger. I know that I
found myself leaning against the bookcase for support.

"But--but----" I stammered. "This is very sudden, Agatha."

"Yes, Austin, I have come here to tell you that our engagement is at an
end."

"But surely," I cried, "you will give me some reason! This is unlike
you, Agatha. Tell me how I have been unfortunate enough to offend you."

"It is all over, Austin."

"But why? You must be under some delusion, Agatha. Perhaps you have
been told some falsehood about me. Or you may have misunderstood
something that I have said to you. Only let me know what it is, and a
word may set it all right."

"We must consider it all at an end."

"But you left me last night without a hint at any disagreement. What
could have occurred in the interval to change you so? It must have
been something that happened last night. You have been thinking it
over and you have disapproved of my conduct. Was it the mesmerism?
Did you blame me for letting that woman exercise her power over you?
You know that