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           Ishallnotsurrendermyconvictionswithoutastruggle.March25.Iamamazed,confounded.ItisclearthatImustreconsidermyopinionuponthismatter.Butfirstletmeplaceonrecordwhathasoccurred.Ihadfinishedbreakfast,andwaslookingoversomediagramswithwhichmylectureistobeillustrated,whenmyhousekeeperenteredtotellmethatAgathawasinmystudyandwishedtoseemeimmediately.Iglancedattheclockandsawwithsunrisethatitwasonlyhalf-pastnine.WhenIenteredtheroom,shewasstandingonthehearth-rugfacingme.Somethinginherposechilledmeandcheckedthewordswhichwererisingtomylips.Herveilwashalfdown,butIcouldseethatshewaspaleandthatherexpressionwasconstrained."Austin,"shesaid,"Ihavecometotellyouthatourengagementisatanend."Istaggered.IbelievethatIliterallydidstagger.IknowthatIfoundmyselfleaningagainstthebookcaseforsupport."But—but——"Istammered."Thisisverysudden,Agatha.""Yes,Austin,Ihavecomeheretotellyouthatourengagementisatanend.""Butsurely,"Icried,"youwillgivemesomereason!Thisisunlikeyou,Agatha.TellmehowIhavebeenunfortunateenoughtooffendyou.""Itisallover,Austin.""Butwhy?Youmustbeundersomedelusion,Agatha.Perhapsyouhavebeentoldsomefalsehoodaboutme.OryoumayhavemisunderstoodsomethingthatIhavesaidtoyou.Onlyletmeknowwhatitis,andawordmaysetitallright.""Wemustconsideritallatanend.""Butyouleftmelastnightwithoutahintatanydisagreement.