xperiments are very bad for your nerves."

"I think so, too, dear."

"And for Miss Penclosa's nerves as well. You have heard that she is
ill?"

"No."

"Mrs. Wilson told us so last night. She described it as a nervous
fever. Professor Wilson is coming back this week, and of course Mrs.
Wilson is very anxious that Miss Penclosa should be well again then,
for he has quite a programme of experiments which he is anxious to
carry out."

I was glad to have Agatha's promise, for it was enough that this woman
should have one of us in her clutch. On the other hand, I was
disturbed to hear about Miss Penclosa's illness. It rather discounts
the victory which I appeared to win last night. I remember that she
said that loss of health interfered with her power. That may be why I
was able to hold my own so easily. Well, well, I must take the same
precautions to-night and see what comes of it. I am childishly
frightened when I think of her.

April 10. All went very well last night. I was amused at the
gardener's face when I had again to hail him this morning and to ask
him to throw up my key. I shall get a name among the servants if this
sort of thing goes on. But the great point is that I stayed in my room
without the slightest inclination to leave it. I do believe that I am
shaking myself clear of this incredible bond--or is it only that the
woman's power is in abeyance until she recovers her strength? I can
but pray for the best.

The Mardens left this morning, and the brightness seems to have gone
out of the spring sunshine. And yet it is very beautiful also as it
gleams on the green chestnuts opposite my windows, and gives a touch of
gayety to the heavy, lichen-mottled walls of the old colleges. How
sweet and gentle and soothing is Nature! Who would think that there
lurked in her also such vile forces, such odious possibilities! For of
course I understand that this dreadful thing which has sprung out at me
is neither supernatural nor even preternatural. No, it is a natural
force which this woman can use and society is ignorant of. The mere
fact that it ebbs with her strength shows how entirely it is subject to
physical laws. If I had time, I might probe it to the bottom and lay
my hands upon its antidote. But you cannot tame the tiger when you are
beneath his claws. You can but try to writhe away from him. Ah, when
I look in the glass and see my own dark eyes and clear-cut Spanish
face, I long for