With my wife's help, they brought her to herself again; and she told the extraordinary story which I have just repeated to you.

You must have seen for yourself that she has been over-fatigued, poor thing, by our long railway journeys: her nerves are out of order--and she is just the person to be easily terrified by a dream.

She obstinately refuses, however, to accept this rational view.

Don't suppose that I have been severe with her! All that a man can do to humour her I have done.

I have written to the Countess (in her assumed name) offering to restore the room to her.