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           Andthencametheblessedchange.NevertellmethatthereisnotaProvidence!Iwasonthebrinkofperdition.Myfeetwereontheedge.Wasitacoincidencethatatthatveryinstanthelpshouldcome?No,no,no;thereisaProvidence,anditshandhasdrawnmeback.Thereissomethingintheuniversestrongerthanthisdevilwomanwithhertricks.Ah,whatabalmtomyheartitistothinkso!AsIlookedupatherIwasconsciousofachangeinher.Herface,whichhadbeenpalebefore,wasnowghastly.Hereyesweredull,andthelidsdroopedheavilyoverthem.Aboveall,thelookofsereneconfidencehadgonefromherfeatures.Hermouthhadweakened.Herforeheadhadpuckered.Shewasfrightenedandundecided.AndasIwatchedthechangemyownspiritflutteredandstruggled,tryinghardtotearitselffromthegripwhichheldit—agripwhich,frommomenttomoment,grewlesssecure."Austin,"shewhispered,"Ihavetriedtodotoomuch.Iwasnotstrongenough.Ihavenotrecoveredyetfrommyillness.ButIcouldnotlivelongerwithoutseeingyou.Youwon’tleaveme,Austin?Thisisonlyapassingweakness.Ifyouwillonlygivemefiveminutes,Ishallbemyselfagain.Givemethesmalldecanterfromthetableinthewindow."ButIhadregainedmysoul.Withherwaningstrengththeinfluencehadclearedawayfrommeandleftmefree.AndIwasaggressive—bitterly,fiercelyaggressive.ForonceatleastIcouldmakethiswomanunderstandwhatmyrealfeelingstowardherwere.Mysoulwasfilledwithahatredasbestialastheloveagainstwhichitwasareaction.