Hefollowedher，shutthedoor——whichshesomehowhadhopedhewouldleaveopen——andplacingachairforher，satdown。TheconcernwhichGracefeltatthedevelopmentofthesecommonplaceincidentswas，ofcourse，mainlyowingtothestrangeeffectuponhernervesofthatviewofhiminthemirrorgazingatherwithopeneyeswhenshehadthoughthimsleeping，whichmadeherfancythathisslumbermighthavebeenafeintbasedoninexplicablereasons。
Sheagainprofferedthenotes；heawokefromlookingatherasatapieceoflivestatuary，andlisteneddeferentiallyasshesaid，“Willyouthenreconsider，andcancelthebondwhichpoorGrammerOliversofoolishlygave？”
“I’llcancelitwithoutreconsideration。Thoughyouwillallowmetohavemyownopinionaboutherfoolishness。Grammerisaverywisewoman，andshewasaswiseinthatasinotherthings。Youthinktherewassomethingveryfiendishinthecompact，doyounot，MissMelbury？Butrememberthatthemosteminentofoursurgeonsinpasttimeshaveenteredintosuchagreements。”
“Notfiendish——strange。”
“Yes，thatmaybe，sincestrangenessisnotinthenatureofathing，butinitsrelationtosomethingextrinsic——inthiscaseanunessentialobserver。”