* * * * * * * * * *

Note [At this place the entry in the Diary ceases to be legible.  The two or three lines which follow contain fragments of words only, mingled with blots and scratches of the pen.  The last marks on the paper bear some resemblance to the first two letters (L and A) of the name of Lady Glyde.

On the next page of the Diary, another entry appears.  It is in a man’s handwriting, large, bold, and firmly regular, and the date is “June the 21st.”  It contains these lines—­]

POSTSCRIPT BY A SINCERE FRIEND

The illness of our excellent Miss Halcombe has afforded me the opportunity of enjoying an unexpected intellectual pleasure.

I refer to the perusal (which I have just completed) of this interesting Diary.

There are many hundred pages here.  I can lay my hand on my heart, and declare that every page has charmed, refreshed, delighted me.

To a man of my sentiments it is unspeakably gratifying to be able to say this.

Admirable woman!

I allude to Miss Halcombe.

Stupendous effort!

I refer to the Diary.

Yes! these pages are amazing.  The tact which I find here, the discretion, the rare courage, the wonderful power of memory, the accurate observation of character, the easy grace of style, the charming outbursts of womanly feeling, have all inexpressibly increased my admiration of this sublime creature, of this magnificent Marian.  The presentation of my own character is masterly in the extreme.  I certify, with my whole heart, to the fidelity of the portrait.  I feel how vivid an impression I must have produced to have been painted in such strong, such rich, such massive colours as these.  I lament afresh the cruel necessity which sets our interests at variance, and opposes us to each other.  Under happier circumstances how worthy I should have been of Miss Halcombe—­how worthy Miss Halcombe would have been of me.

The sentiments which animate my heart assure me that the lines I have just written express a Profound Truth.

Those sentiments exalt me above all merely personal considerations.  I bear witness, in the most disinterested manner, to the excellence of the stratagem by which this unparalleled woman surprised the private interview between Percival and myself—­ also to the marvellous accuracy of her report of the whole conversation from its beginning to its end.

Those sentiments have induced me to offer to the unimpressionable doctor who attends on her my vast knowledge of chemistry, and my luminous experience of the more subtle resources which medical and magnetic science have placed at the disposal of mankind.  He has hitherto declined to avail himself of my assistance.  Miserable man!