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III
""Ithinkso,too,dear.""AndforMissPenclosa’snervesaswell.Youhaveheardthatsheisill?""No.""Mrs.Wilsontoldussolastnight.Shedescribeditasanervousfever.ProfessorWilsoniscomingbackthisweek,andofcourseMrs.WilsonisveryanxiousthatMissPenclosashouldbewellagainthen,forhehasquiteaprogrammeofexperimentswhichheisanxioustocarryout."IwasgladtohaveAgatha’spromise,foritwasenoughthatthiswomanshouldhaveoneofusinherclutch.Ontheotherhand,IwasdisturbedtohearaboutMissPenclosa’sillness.ItratherdiscountsthevictorywhichIappearedtowinlastnight.Irememberthatshesaidthatlossofhealthinterferedwithherpower.ThatmaybewhyIwasabletoholdmyownsoeasily.Well,well,Imusttakethesameprecautionsto-nightandseewhatcomesofit.IamchildishlyfrightenedwhenIthinkofher.April10.Allwentverywelllastnight.Iwasamusedatthegardener’sfacewhenIhadagaintohailhimthismorningandtoaskhimtothrowupmykey.Ishallgetanameamongtheservantsifthissortofthinggoeson.ButthegreatpointisthatIstayedinmyroomwithouttheslightestinclinationtoleaveit.IdobelievethatIamshakingmyselfclearofthisincrediblebond—orisitonlythatthewoman’spowerisinabeyanceuntilsherecoversherstrength?Icanbutprayforthebest.TheMardensleftthismorning,andthebrightnessseemstohavegoneoutofthespringsunshine.