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I
Aredvelvetarm-chairhadbeenpushedintothecentre,andAgathalaybackinit,alittleflushedandtremblingslightlyfromexcitement.Icouldseeitfromthevibrationofthewheat-ears.MissPenclosarosefromherseatandstoodoverher,leaninguponhercrutch.Andtherewasachangeinthewoman.Shenolongerseemedsmallorinsignificant.Twentyyearsweregonefromherage.Hereyeswereshining,atingeofcolorhadcomeintohersallowcheeks,herwholefigurehadexpanded.SoIhaveseenadull-eyed,listlessladchangeinaninstantintobrisknessandlifewhengivenataskofwhichhefelthimselfmaster.ShelookeddownatAgathawithanexpressionwhichIresentedfromthebottomofmysoul—theexpressionwithwhichaRomanempressmighthavelookedatherkneelingslave.Thenwithaquick,commandinggestureshetossedupherarmsandsweptthemslowlydowninfrontofher.IwaswatchingAgathanarrowly.Duringthreepassessheseemedtobesimplyamused.AtthefourthIobservedaslightglazingofhereyes,accompaniedbysomedilationofherpupils.Atthesixththerewasamomentaryrigor.Attheseventhherlidsbegantodroop.Atthetenthhereyeswereclosed,andherbreathingwasslowerandfullerthanusual.ItriedasIwatchedtopreservemyscientificcalm,butafoolish,causelessagitationconvulsedme.ItrustthatIhidit,butIfeltasachildfeelsinthedark.IcouldnothavebelievedthatIwasstillopentosuchweakness."Sheisinthetrance,"saidMissPenclosa."Sheissleeping!"Icried."Wakeher,then!"Ipulledherbythearmandshoutedinherear.
