I have a faint recollection of addressing you
with an impassioned appeal for help, to which you responded with icy
indifference, but the rest of our interview remains a blank. Only there
was a cruel sense of disappointment: instead of meeting as two spirits
whose interests were inseparable, you denied any previous knowledge of
me, and even manifested a sort of terrified aversion at my approach. I
saw you shrink away from my side; then nothing remained for me but to
temporarily dissemble my purpose and try first to win your confidence by
the exercise of my poor woman's wits. In this at least I was
successful!"
Irene only spoke the truth. She had completely subdued my will by her
fascinations, and though I hated and, in private, ridiculed all
supernatural dealings, I was prepared to try the wildest experiments at
her bidding.
The trial of my obedience arrived sooner than I anticipated. Immediately
after luncheon next day Irene made a sign to me to follow her into the
garden.
"All is ready!" she exclaimed, with great excitement. "To-night will see
us successful or for ever lost!"
"What do you mean?" I inquired, dubiously; for it did not sound a very
cheery prospect.
"I mean that all things point to a hasty solution of the great problem.
To-night the planets are propitious, and with your help the chain of
communication will be at last complete.
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