Chapter XXIII

           ’...YouhavesomeinfluenceoverAgnes.Trywhatyoucando,Henry,tomakehertakeasensibleviewofthematter.Thereisreallynothingtomakeafussabout.Mywife’smaidknockedatherdoorearlyinthemorning,withthecustomarycupoftea.Gettingnoanswer,shewentroundtothedressing-room—foundthedooronthatsideunlocked—anddiscoveredAgnesonthebedinafaintingfit.Withmywife’shelp,theybroughthertoherselfagain;andshetoldtheextraordinarystorywhichIhavejustrepeatedtoyou.Youmusthaveseenforyourselfthatshehasbeenover-fatigued,poorthing,byourlongrailwayjourneys:hernervesareoutoforder—andsheisjustthepersontobeeasilyterrifiedbyadream.Sheobstinatelyrefuses,however,toacceptthisrationalview.Don’tsupposethatIhavebeenseverewithher!AllthatamancandotohumourherIhavedone.IhavewrittentotheCountess(inherassumedname)offeringtorestoretheroomtoher.Shewritesback,positivelydecliningtoreturntoit.Ihaveaccordinglyarranged(soasnottohavethethingknowninthehotel)tooccupytheroomforoneortwonights,andtoleaveAgnestorecoverherspiritsundermywife’scare.IsthereanythingmorethatIcando?WhateverquestionsAgneshasaskedofmeIhaveansweredtothebestofmyability;sheknowsallthatyoutoldmeaboutFrancisandtheCountesslastnight.ButtryasImayIcan’tquiethermind.Ihavegivenuptheattemptindespair,andleftherinthedrawing-room.Go,likeagoodfellow,andtrywhatyoucandotocomposeher.