March 25.  I am amazed, confounded.  It is clear that I must reconsider my opinion upon this matter.  But first let me place on record what has occurred.

I had finished breakfast, and was looking over some diagrams with which my lecture is to be illustrated, when my housekeeper entered to tell me that Agatha was in my study and wished to see me immediately.  I glanced at the clock and saw with sun rise that it was only half-past nine.

When I entered the room, she was standing on the hearth-rug facing me.  Something in her pose chilled me and checked the words which were rising to my lips.  Her veil was half down, but I could see that she was pale and that her expression was constrained.

“Austin,” she said, “I have come to tell you that our engagement is at an end.”

I staggered.  I believe that I literally did stagger.  I know that I found myself leaning against the bookcase for support.

“But—­but——­” I stammered.  “This is very sudden, Agatha.”

“Yes, Austin, I have come here to tell you that our engagement is at an end.”

“But surely,” I cried, “you will give me some reason!  This is unlike you, Agatha.  Tell me how I have been unfortunate enough to offend you.”

“It is all over, Austin.”

“But why?  You must be under some delusion, Agatha.  Perhaps you have been told some falsehood about me.  Or you may have misunderstood something that I have said to you.  Only let me know what it is, and a word may set it all right.”

“We must consider it all at an end.”

“But you left me last night without a hint at any disagreement.  What could have occurred in the interval to change you so?  It must have been something that happened last night.  You have been thinking it over and you have disapproved of my conduct.  Was it the mesmerism?  Did you blame me for letting that woman exercise her power over you?  You know that at the least sign I should have interfered.”

“It is useless, Austin.  All is over:” 

Her voice was cold and measured; her manner strangely formal and hard.  It seemed to me that she was absolutely resolved not to be drawn into any argument or explanation.  As for me, I was shaking with agitation, and I turned my face aside, so ashamed was I that she should see my want of control.

“You must know what this means to me!” I cried.  “It is the blasting of all my hopes and the ruin of my life!  You surely will not inflict such a punishment upon me unheard.  You will let me know what is the matter.  Consider how impossible it would be for me, under any circumstances, to treat you so.  For God’s sake, Agatha, let me know what I have done!”

She walked past me without a word and opened the door.

“It is quite useless, Austin,” said she.  “You must consider our engagement at an end.”  An instant later she was gone, and, before I could recover myself sufficiently to follow her, I heard the hall-door close behind her.